Purdue’s first police K-9 retires

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – Purdue University’s first police K-9 is hanging up his leash.

A retirement ceremony was held for Nicky Thursday afternoon. Nicky is a Dutch Shepherd who came to the department in 2008. He was a gift from the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office. He has been been deployed nearly 600 times, resulting in about 275 arrests.

His handler, Ofc. Andy Standifer, said Nicky will be 10 years old and is starting to get a little sore. Nicky has been able to help in situations officers weren’t able to take on alone, according to WISH-TV sister station WLFI News.

“There’s nothing better. There’s no better tool for doing what we do for detection purposes for both narcotics and for people,” said Standifer.

Nicky will remain with the Standifer family.

Standifer will start training with another K-9 who is expected to start with the department this spring.