Police K-9 retires after 9 years of loyal service

NAMPA, Idaho — After nine years of protecting and serving, one Nampa Police K-9 named Krieger is now retiring. Officers said Krieger brought some of the highest numbers of criminals into custody of any dog they have had at the Nampa Police Department.

"It's amazing what these dogs are capable of doing... being a police dog on the streets of Nampa is not an easy task," said Officer Jake Jacoby, K-9 Handler, Nampa Police Department.

Krieger-- which means "warrior" in German-- was just an 8-week-old puppy when Officer Jacoby first got him from Copenhagen, Denmark.

"He was maybe that long (gesturing)... maybe that tall, with great big old fat feet."

Since then, those "big old fat feet" have served him-- and the community-- well.

From March 2010 until March 2019, police say Krieger was deployed 1,541 times. Of those, officer said he was able to bring 48 criminals into custody.

"I don't think there's any other dog right now that's in the program that has numbers like he does," said Jacoby.

And while Krieger can go from good boy to "bad to the bone" on demand, Jacoby said what sets him apart is that he is not a liability.

"He gets along with anybody and everybody until it's time to do the job," said Jacoby. "I've had some really good dogs and he's easily the best dog that I've had."

Now, just three years away from his handler's retirement, Krieger is hanging up his badge to enjoy the golden years of his life.

"My wife has two kids-- five and 13-- and so, he hangs out. Him and the five-year-old go outside and play together... hang out on the couch, he has a dog bed but half the time he doesn't use that, he sleeps on the bed."

And in the end, it's not the years of Krieger's life that count, but the life in his years.

"He would go to the moon and back for me... I could ask him to do anything and he'd do it."

Now that Krieger is retired, Officer Jacoby said he's training a new Australian Shepherd to do the job that Krieger used to do.