Kenosha Sheriff's Deputy K9 Riggs Retires After 10 Years Of Heroic Service: Photos

Kenosha Sheriff’s Deputy K9 Riggs Retires After 10 Years Of Heroic Service: Photos

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Kenosha Sheriff’s Sergeant Terry Tifft and Deputy K9 Riggs (Ret.)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

K9 Riggs showed all the indicators of a now-retired police dog. He laid on his back as he was getting a lot of attention, plopped down and rested randomly, and finally, got to eat some retirement cake. Riggs has been with his handler, Sergeant Terry Tifft for more than 10 years. The retirement was emotional for Tifft. His uniform shirt still showed the outline of the Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit patch, where it now contains the chevrons of a Sergeant.

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Making the decision to take a promotion from Deputy and K9 handler to Sergeant was a “difficult decision” for Tifft, said Sheriff David. W. Zoerner. Although Tifft will no longer bring Riggs to work, he is still a member of Tifft’s family and will live out his retirement at the Tifft household.

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Back in September of 2014, Tifft received Riggs as a 14-month-old German Shepherd. Over the more-than-a-decade that would follow, Riggs would find countless “articles,” being drugs, guns, and other items. He also apprehended many bad guys. Tifft told KCE that on October 21, 2021 at approximately 11:15 am, Ruggs saved the lives of Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputies at Benson Corners/Pizza Express, located at 20000 75th Street in the Village of Bristol. This is when a murderer and carjacker shot at police and shot K9 Riggs in the head. “I think it’s very possible that Riggs saved our lives,” said Tifft. Luckily, K9 Riggs made a full recorvery and is doing great.

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Yesterday, at Brat Stop, Riggs’ retirement was celebrated with face-painting, slides, a showing of the bomb squad tools, the mobile command center, K9 demonstrations, a taser demonstration, and more. Money was also being raised for the new K9 Unit that will cost about $20,000 plus training. If you wish to obtain a K9 plushie or challenge coin, you can go get one at the Sheriff’s Department at 1000 55th St, at the Public Safety Building.

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Here are some photos from yesterday:

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Merchandise For Purchase To Support K9 Program
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Sheriff David W. Zoerner Shows Taxpayers Department’s New Boat
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County Bomb Squad Robot
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Deputy K9 Riggs (Ret.) Taking A Break
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Attorney Xavier Solis and Paw Patrol’s “Chase”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Sheriff’s Sergeant Collin Coultrip
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Sunday’s Event Crowd
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Riggs’ Cake
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Sheriff David W. Zoerner
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Sheriff’s Sergeant Terry Tifft
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Sheriff’s Sergeant Terry Tifft and Deputy K9 Riggs (Ret.) And TOPS Kennels
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Deputy K9 Riggs (Ret.)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

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11 Responses

Anonymous says:

October 14, 2024 at 1:36 PM

Watch this story on ID Body Cam, Riggs is a true hero!! Only wish the deputies aimed for the head of the low life piece of shit that shot him. Now the tax payers are on the hook for $42k a year until he dies. Hopefully he is getting assed raped and throat fucked in prison.

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Anonymous says:

October 14, 2024 at 2:13 PM

What a Good boy.

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SCHATZ says:

October 14, 2024 at 4:49 PM

No suprise the crap floated downstream from Illinois. He isn’t being prosecuted for the two murders he committed in the said state of Illinois, they don’t want to pay for his stay.

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1. Guys like this says:
  
  October 14, 2024 at 6:37 PM
  
  Criminals serving long terms in excess of 10 years or 20 if you prefer, should go to a maximum security prison facility out in some desert where it doesn’t cost much for heat, on the federal dime.
  This will free up funds for state prisons to take in more low end criminals that the Dems want to let out due to over crowding.
  It’s the low end types that repeat when they get out, especially if they don’t serve their whole terms as short as they might be.
  Better for states. Better for the country.
  
  People need to understand that the results of crime on society cost more that the deterrents in place needed to prevent it.
  Spend money to house more and you will eventually house less
  
  Reply
2. Anonymous says:
  
  October 14, 2024 at 6:58 PM
  
  He has to finish his case here before moving on to the next one.
  
  Reply
SCHATZ says:

October 14, 2024 at 5:39 PM

SCHATZ apologizes. Shit may flow upstream if it faces extradition. A favorable turn of events Kenosha should welcome if it comes to be true.

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Anonymous says:

October 14, 2024 at 6:25 PM

Congrats Riggs! What a great job you’ve done in your career. Finally a feel good story. Thank you Kevin for the story and the great pics.

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Anonymous says:

October 14, 2024 at 6:39 PM

Deputy Tifft is an excellent officer.

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Bluto says:

October 14, 2024 at 7:31 PM

congrats to Riggs! Is thar Barca in the popeye outfit?Nice fishing boat for the crew

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1. Anonymous says:
  
  October 15, 2024 at 10:41 AM
  
  Barca and law enforcement have nor ever will go together. He’s your typical democrat BLM/antifa lover.
  
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Lisa says:

December 10, 2024 at 8:07 PM

Watching this episode of Body Cam took me on an emotional Rollercoaster! I cried & prayed for all the officers, mostly for K9 Riggs & Officer Tifft. I felt the angst that Tifft was feeling, yet he stayed focused. I don’t think I would have been able to give that SOB criminal any life saving treatment. I would have wanted to shoot him right between the eyes. Buh-bye. I suppose it’s a good thing I’m an old lady & not a police officer. Thank God for K9 Riggs & his unbelievable work. Getting as far away as he could so the creep could be taken care of.
I am so glad that Sgt. TIFFT still has Riggs. What an amazing partner. POLICE OFFICERS NEED MORE SUPPORT, MORE $$$ &
DEFINITELY MORE K9’s like retired K9 Riggs!!
God Bless.

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