Purdue police retiring department's first-ever K-9
March 2, 2015
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Officer Andy Standifer with his K-9 partner Nicky outside the Purdue Police Department. The two have patrolled the campus together and responded to duty out in the county on occasion over the last seven years. |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Having participated in nearly 600 deployments resulting in about 275 arrests, Purdue University's first K-9 is getting tired, says his handler, officer Andy Standifer.
And so, Nicky is retiring.
"He will be 10 years old, and he's starting to get a little bit sore," Standifer said. "At this point in his life, I don't want to push him too hard. So, it’s the right time."
On Thursday (March 5), Nicky will go out with the department showing its appreciation. He will be honored during a 4:30 p.m. ceremony at the Purdue Police Department, 205 S. Martin Jischke Drive, on campus.
Nicky came to the police department in 2008 as a gift from the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office. Born in Holland, the Dutch shepherd trained with Standifer at the Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. The dog was trained in narcotics detection, and tracking and apprehending suspects, and his work often extended beyond the campus borders as he worked with other police agencies in Tippecanoe County.
Over the past seven years, Nicky has participated in about 200 traffic stops, 215 drug law violations and 10 school searches, among other calls.
Standifer and his companion also have been a fixture in goodwill.
"He's been super good at the university," Standifer said. "We do probably 20 presentations a year - in the residence halls, in classrooms. … We've presented in Lynn Hall for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine and in the School of Pharmacy – a lot of different places."
Barb Frazee, director of University Residences, appreciates the time the officer and dog have spent with students.
"Nicky has been a hard working ambassador for University Residences and the police department," Frazee said. "While he has helped us to manage drug use within our halls, he has also been a welcome visitor for many programs and outreach by the police department at student events."
That's exactly what Purdue police chief John Cox envisioned when Nicky joined the force.
"Nicky has been a positive for the Purdue Police Department all the way around," Cox said. "He's been instrumental in several cases, both on campus and off, and he has been great in visits to residence halls during officer Standifer's presentations. As our first K-9, Nicky will always hold a special spot within our department."
Nicky isn't going anywhere, at least from Standifer. The dog will remain part of the officer's household. Soon, however, the department will have a new K-9. Standifer is to head to Vohne Liche this month to train with another dog. Sometime this spring, he will bring a new partner to the university.
"It's sad because Nicky has been great at the university," Standifer said. "At the same time, at some point in time it was going to happen, and I'm excited to be getting a new dog because I really enjoy working them, and I'll still have Nicky at home."
The department still has two K-9s. Macho, added to the force in 2010, is a Dutch shepherd trained to detect explosives. Vara, a German shepherd trained in narcotics detection and apprehension, was added in 2012.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: Andy Standifer, 765-494-8221, anstandifer@purdue.edu
John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu
Barbara Frazee, 765-494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu
