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.

Here are some photos from yesterday:

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