(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — An emotional retirement party took place Friday morning, Oct. 18 for a very special furry friend, K9 Officer Sci who has been with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Department for nine years, serving the area in many ways. The four-legged deputies certainly mean a lot to Southern Colorado. At the ceremony, even some tears were shed. While Sci may seem cute and cuddly, he's actually gone face-to-face with armed suspects, helped solve poaching cases and more. "Attention all units," was broadcasted over the radio, "Today, October 18th, 2024, is K9 Sci's last shift on Colorado Parks and Wildlife K9. K9 Sci is headed for some much-deserved rest and relaxation in retirement." After almost a decade of service, ("ruff-ly" 60 years in dog years) K9 Officer Sci is retiring to his handler's care. "So I will buy Sci back for $1, and then he will live out the rest of his days at my house, and kind of just relax and get fat and, you know, be a good boy and have fun," said District Wildlife Manager and Sci's handler Philip Gurule. The 10-year-old Dutch Shepherd has led officers to crucial evidence and loyally protected his handler. He brought skill and speed to the team that humans can't match, even with technology. "It's great," said Gurule. "You know, he doesn't laugh at my jokes, but we have long conversations. If you ever try to look for shell casings in tall grass, it's almost near impossible. You've got to get a metal detector, wave that around. With the dogs, it's pretty quick." Officer Sci is the first dog with the department in over 30 years, and his success means he isn't the last. While Sci is stepping down, a new dog is stepping up. K9 Sage got her badge at the ceremony. She's a black lab, described as being full of Red Bull and Mountain Dew. "She gets amped up, I get amped up. We get to go get in the truck together. She's excited all day long. It's just a different feeling," said Zach Picard, a District Wildlife Manager and Sage's Handler, "You know, when you're in the truck by yourself on those long days, sometimes you kind of start to feel a little bit alone. With having the dog there, you never have that feeling anymore. It kind of makes you want to push even harder, see what you can get done." A retirement "paw-ty" and induction ceremony that wouldn't be complete without the well-deserved "pup-cakes" — they were topped with dog treats, of course. "K9 Sci, thank you for listening to your handler's occasionally bad jokes, frustrations, and always being there for the ups and downs," you could hear broadcasted over the radio, "Thank you for protecting Colorado's natural resources and bringing your handler Wildlife Officer Philip Gurule home each night over the course of your career. Last but most importantly, good boy." Thanks to a million dollars in annual funding from the state legislature, their K9 department is going from a pilot program to a permanent one. They will be adding six more dogs, to have a total of 10 K9 officers across the state.