Crime & Safety
‘Shep,’ the Police Department’s Hero K-9, Succumbs to Cancer
Officers are mourning the loss of the German Shepard that served "bravely and valiantly" for more than 10 years.
For more than 10 years, Shep, the Lakewood Police Department’s K-9, “bravely and valiantly” served the city of Lakewood.
The German Shepard police dog sniffed out an untold amount of drugs and tracked down Lakewood criminals.
He died this week after a “courageous battle” with cancer.
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Capt. Gary Sprague said that the nearly 11-year-old Shep — the partner of police officer Chris Obrock — will be missed as any officer would be.
“I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times he sniffed out drugs or tracked down a suspect,” Sprague said. “Over the years, it was day in and day out — he was working.”
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The loss of Shep leaves the department with only one K-9 unit in the department, and police officials will now begin the difficult task of replacing him.
“Technically he was a police officer,” added Sprague. “He was a working member of the department and he will be missed.”
Cards may be sent in care of the police department, however no service is scheduled.
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