By Pat Culverhouse
Calculated in human years, Minden K9 Officer Tigo has faithfully served his department and the people for nearly six decades. Now, he’s officially retired.
A retirement ceremony Tuesday at police headquarters honored the eight-year MPD veteran, with recognitions of his performance handed out by his chief and his city’s top administrator.
“Tigo has been instrumental to help find suspects when they run or, if they barricade themselves inside, he is the one who neutralized the situation,” Chief Jared McIver said. “Tigo has served his time well at the police department and we’re proud to announce his retirement today. Thank you for your service.”
McIver said Tigo will now retire to the home of his long-time handler, Lt. Shane Griffith where he will rest from his many duties.
“He may not have worn the badge in the traditional sense, but his loyalty and unwavering commitment to the city of Minden have made a big difference,” Mayor Nick Cox said. “He’s more than a dog, he’s an important part of a team that works to keep Minden safe.”
Cox said Tigo has now traded the demands of duty for the comforts of home.
Tigo’s retirement home won’t be strange surroundings. He will still be an important part of the Shane Griffith family, just as he’s been since his arrival eight years ago.
“Everyone in the family loves him, and he loves all of us,” Griffith said.
Tigo came to the Minden PD only through the generosity of the people of the community, he said.
“We had to raise the money ourselves to buy Tigo and with the assistance of the public, we were able to do so,” Griffith said.
According to McIver, Griffith and his son, Gunnar, spend many days at the entrance to Walmart, accepting donations.
Tigo served the department as a multi-purpose K9. He was trained in tracking, narcotics sniffing and apprehension. In other words, Tigo would bite…when necessary.
Griffith said he couldn’t begin to estimate the number of cases in which Tigo played a major role, nor could he put a value on his four-legged partner’s service.
“I think when you consider the amount of drugs he’s helped get off the streets and the number of times he’s helped an officer go home safely, Tigo is worth ten times his weight in gold,” he said.
Griffith said Tigo’s future is very simple.
“He’s going to get to enjoy being a dog, and he’ll eat plenty of steak,” he said.
