Champ died in 1988 and was buried on the lot occupied by the Orange  Police Department. When Clay Rushford, Champ’s handler, heard of a possible police department expansion that would disturb the spot where Champ is buried, he felt compelled to exhume  Champ’s body and find a means to bring him home for final resting. Champ came to White Rose for cremation on June 19, 2006. Champ began his career after he was adopted from the local pound and impressed his new owner with his intelligence and temperament. Rushford said Champ was a quick learner and just perfect for the job. Champ participated in more than 20 arrests, most involving felonies. In March of 1983 he helped capture three suspects after chasing them through four miles of woods,  thicket and waist-deep water. He also saved the life of an elderly man who was lost for approximately five hours, and  he helped to apprehend an armed burglar who had attacked a resident with a knife. Champ retired after four years of service with the Orange Police Department. He was a faithful companion to coworkers on the force, a friend to many residents, and a great partner to Rushford.Cremated June 19, 2006 -  submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA