Police were saying goodbye to a very special member of their team. Zeus, a German Shepherd, served the department for nine years and was given an emotional send-off, just like any human police officer would have.
A Final Ride
It was a bittersweet moment as Zeus took his final ride in a police vehicle. A procession of squad cars followed Zeus’ car to the Ridgefield Veterinary Hospital. There, he was wheeled through a waiting crowd of servicemen who had come to pay their respects.
Before Zeus was taken inside, one officer spoke with tears in his eyes. He said, “It’s with tears in our eyes that we must say goodbye. He wore the Ridgefield police badge with respect, pride, and dignity.”
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A Heroic Canine
Zeus was not just any dog; he was described as an “alpha dog.” During his time with the police department, he assisted officers with hundreds of arrests. He joined the force back in 2006 and did some amazing things for the department.
Over the years, Zeus conducted over 50 tracks for missing or wanted individuals. He managed to locate six people who were in life-threatening situations and helped catch six suspects who had fled the scenes of crimes. But now, it was time for him to hang up his leash for good.
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A Heartbreaking Decision
Chief John Roche of the department shared how honored he felt to be there for Zeus’s last moments. He said, “The disease that had racked him had deteriorated him to such a point where it was just so difficult for him to exist and continue on.”
Anyone who has been a pet owner for a long time knows the heartbreak of deciding to say goodbye to a beloved furry friend. Sometimes, it really is for the best when an animal’s quality of life becomes so poor that they’re no longer happy.
Zeus had a severe degenerative hip disorder, and after retiring from the force, his health declined quickly.
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Never Forgotten
One thing’s for sure: while Zeus might be gone, he certainly isn’t forgotten. The Ridgefield CT Police Department shared a beautiful post on Facebook, expressing how much they still missed their canine friend, even years later.
In the post, they highlighted some of Zeus’s most notable achievements. It concluded with a heartfelt message: “Zeus was a valued member of our team as well as our community. He will always remain in our thoughts and never be forgotten.”
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A Life Well Lived
Zeus clearly lived a long and happy life. By all accounts, he enjoyed his time in the police force thoroughly. Not every dog gets to say they took on such an important job role, after all!
You can watch the video of Zeus’ final ride in a squad car below. Be warned: it’s an emotional one.