Last night, the Colerain Township community gathered to honor the career of a four-legged officer, as K9 Tao was feted on the occasion of his retirement from active duty, a moment not just for celebration but also for reflection on the role these animals play in law enforcement. The ceremony, replete with appreciative attendees, marked the end of a distinguished eight-year service for the police dog, who, alongside Officer Huntington, has been a formidable force in local narcotics operations.
During Tao's tenure, the team racked up impressive numbers that the Colerain Police Department proudly shared in a social media post, detailing their 352 patrol and narcotics deployments and sizable illegal drug seizures: 18.5 pounds of marijuana, 43 pounds of methamphetamine, over a kilo each of fentanyl and heroin, nearly three kilos of cocaine, and a cache of mushrooms—not to mention their haul of $2.6 million in drug money, an effort combined with the DEA the two of them becoming a symbol of the tireless battle against narcotics in Colerain Township. Alongside his narcotics work, K9 Tao participated in more than 80 public safety demonstrations, fostering community relations and serving as a bridge between citizens and the police force.
Immediate plans for the now-retired K9 include a peaceful transition into domestic life, as he has been adopted by none other than Officer Huntington, ensuring that the bond forged through years of service will continue undisturbed. On the social media announcement, the department expressed heartfelt gratitude to The Matt Haverkamp Foundation, which had donated K9 Tao in 2017 and has continued its support by providing K9 Tiko, the next canine to walk the beat with Officer Huntington. The foundation's generosity has been pivotal in strengthening the Colerain Police Department's K9 unit, also extending their support to other departments across the Tri-State area.
Those who missed the live event can catch the retirement ceremony and meeting on Waycross Community Media, an accessible window into the communal moment that marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for the police department. The Colerain Police Department posted the link to the video, inviting the community to witness the heartfelt send-off of a furry officer while looking forward to the contributions his successor will bring.
