After years spent tracking suspects, locating narcotics and protecting officers in dangerous situations, Minden Police Department K-9 Tigo officially retired Tuesday during a ceremony honoring his service to the city and the department.
Surrounded by fellow officers, city officials and the department’s current K-9 teams, the German Shepherd was recognized for a career that began in 2018 after community members came together to help raise the money needed to bring him to Minden.
Police Chief Jared McIver said Tigo was purchased through donations collected outside Walmart by Lt. Shane Griffith and his son, Gunner, who was 6 years old at the time.
“People would make donations, and they raised enough money to purchase Tigo,” McIver said. “He served as a bite dog, a drug dog and also a tracker. He’s been very instrumental over the years in doing great things for the department.”
McIver said police K-9s play a vital role in protecting officers by assisting with narcotics investigations, tracking fleeing suspects and helping resolve dangerous situations before officers are placed in harm’s way.
“Tigo has served his time, and he served us well here at the Minden Police Department,” McIver said. “We’re proud to announce his retirement today.”
Following his retirement, Tigo will remain with Griffith, his longtime handler, where McIver said the veteran K-9 can enjoy a well-earned retirement.
“He’ll go home with Lt. Shane Griffith, and he’ll rest easy there,” McIver said. “His duties are officially over with the Minden Police Department.”
Mayor Nick Cox thanked Tigo for nearly a decade of dedicated service, noting the unique bond between the community and the police dog.
“I think about the way we got Tigo, through the generosity of the citizens of Minden,” Cox said. “Then Tigo gave back for years by protecting the citizens of Minden.”
Cox described Tigo as more than just a police dog.
“He’s more than a police dog. He’s a dependable member of this department, an important part of this team, and he worked every day to keep the citizens of Minden safe,” Cox said.
While Tuesday’s ceremony celebrated Tigo’s career, department officials also highlighted the continued growth of the Minden Police Department’s K-9 Unit.
Officer Kendale Booker introduced K-9 Reef, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois-pit bull mix trained in narcotics detection, tracking and suspect apprehension. Lt. Shawn Griffith also introduced K-9 Brahms, a 7-year-old dual-purpose dog used for tracking, narcotics detection and apprehension.
Officials said the Minden Police Association contributed $10,000 from proceeds generated through its annual banquet toward the purchase of Reef. Depending on training and capabilities, a police K-9 can cost between approximately $26,000 and $38,000.
Lieutenant Griffith said Minden’s K-9 program has benefited tremendously from community support, with many of the department’s canine resources funded through donations, fundraisers and assistance from the Minden Police Association.
“Seventy-five percent of our K-9 assets come from public-generated funds,” Griffith said. “We’ve been able to reinvest in our community through their generosity.”
The department’s handlers train weekly alongside K-9 units from the Shreveport and Caddo Parish sheriff’s offices to ensure the dogs remain prepared for real-world deployments. Officials said the department’s K-9s routinely assist agencies throughout Webster Parish and neighboring jurisdictions.
Although Tigo’s retirement leaves the department with two active K-9 teams, officials said they hope to eventually add another dog as funding becomes available.
“We could definitely keep a dog on every shift,” Griffith said. “That’s part of the plan.”
For now, however, Tuesday belonged to Tigo, whose years of faithful service earned him one final salute from the department he faithfully served.