COLUMBUS, Ind. — A veteran Columbus police officer, who spent most of his law enforcement career as a canine handler, announced his retirement as well as the retirement of his canine partner.
CPD Officer Chad Lehman, a 20 year veteran, completed his final patrol shift on Sept. 2 alongside his canine partner, Oxs, a 7-year-old Dutch Shepherd.
Lehman agreed to continue his work with police dogs and selected Oxs, his second police canine partner, after the retirement of K-9 Rex, who worked at the Columbus Police Department with Officer Lehman for eight years.
K-9 Rex was retired from duty in 2016 and remained in Lehman’s care until he passed away later that year.
“Chad’s career was highlighted by his passion and hard work with police dogs,” said Columbus Police Department Lieutenant and K-9 Supervisor, John Luttrell. “It was a pleasure to get to work alongside him for many years.”
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
