CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — A 14-year-old retired K-9 took his final ride with the Champaign County Sheriff's Office Friday, honored with a lights and sirens procession.
Arco served with the Sheriff's Office from 2013 to 2021. After retiring, he continued living with Lt. Chad Beasley, his handler.
"He's been partnered with me for 13 years. Every single day, all the time. As you work to catch bad guys, it's not just that, but looking for missing people, getting guns and drugs off the street, using them as community outreach. Dogs are invaluable, but they're your partner," Beasley said.
Beasley described the final ride as a tribute to Arco's life and career.
"It's a last tribute before we have our appointment," he said.
Beasley said Arco's personality matched his own from the start.
"There's definitely just a special bond with it. If you talk to some of the handlers here, all the dogs match their personalities. He doesn't show it now, but this dog was a pain in my butt when I first got him. Very active and he actually matched my personality." Beasley said.
Beasley said the procession is a way to remind Arco of the times he had on the job.
"All the ups and downs and crazy stuff he would do, this is fitting. He absolutely knows when he hears the cars what's going on and has that memory. We treat them like officers and this is just an honor of his career and moving on," Beasley said.
The procession went about 15 miles from the Homer Village Hall to the A&E Animal Hospital.
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