Related Articles
Died – 5/25/17
1ST Handler – Officer Johnny Cooper
2ND Handler – Officer Stacey Huffman
Public Safety K-9 officer put to rest due to terminal illness
Morganton Public Safety had to say goodbye to “one of the finest four-legged cops” in the history of their K-9 program. K-9 Shrek, a 7-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd, was relieved of his duties due to a series of debilitating issues with his hips and lower back. Shrek put up a valiant fight for several weeks to enjoy retirement, but his condition was determined to be terminal. To avoid any further suffering, he was put to rest on Thursday, said information from MDPS.“K-9 Shrek, thank you my loyal partner and faithful friend, you will be greatly missed,” said PSO Stacey Huffman, who was Shrek’s K-9 Handler for three and a half years. “I couldn’t have asked for a better first partner, even though we were both stubborn, we deserved each other. Some may never understand the bond we have, so I’ll explain it like this: That one person that has your back no matter the situation, that’s Shrek to me and what I was to him.” He, up until his last days, even though his back and hips were giving out on him to where he couldn’t stand, he did everything to please me, Huffman said.Shrek was taken to a local veterinary office to be euthanized and, as he was laying on an examination table, a “last call” was given across the police scanner as Huffman laid her head on her partner. “Burke to K-9 Shrek … Burke to K-9 Shrek … Burke County to K-9 Shrek,” said a voice over the emergency communications police radio. “Burke, to all units be advised K-9 Shrek of Morganton Department of Public Safety is clear from his final tour of duty. K-9 Shrek served faithfully the Morganton Department of Public Safety for six years and was 7 years old. Shrek, this is your final call on this 25th day of May 2017. Our deepest sympathy to his handler, Morganton Department of Public Safety Officer Stacey Huffman, and his fellow Morganton Department of Public Safety officers. Rest easy, Shrek, we will take the watch from here. Burke clear on May 25th, 2017 at 16:20 hours.” Shrek started his career with MDPS in 2011 and was a full-service Police K-9, trained in drug detection, tracking and apprehension. He had a busy and productive six-year career at Public Safety, producing some very impressive statistics, the information said.Shrek excelled in drug detection and is responsible for more than 400 drug arrests that resulted in the seizure of 3.76 kilos (8.29 pounds) of marijuana, 1.29 kilos (2.84 pounds) of methamphetamine, 271.87 grams (9.59 ounces) of crack cocaine, 32 grams (1.13 ounces) of powder cocaine, 1.86 grams of heroin and more than 500 dosage units of illegally used prescription medication, the information said. During these narcotics seizures, Shrek helped get $72,498 in cash and 36 guns directly associated with narcotics use and sales off the streets. His largest single find of 2 pounds of methamphetamine stands out as one the largest in Morganton Public Safety history.“I met K-9 Shrek for the first time when his first handler, Johnny Cooper, got him in 2011 and brought him back to the city to train,” Huffman said. “I helped Cooper train with Shrek and I will never forget the first training bite I ever took from him.” As she was helping with K-9 Shrek’s training, she knew that her future would be as a K-9 Handler. “Little did I know, three years later, I would get the opportunity and K-9 Shrek (would) be my first K-9 partner,” she said. She knew Shrek to be a very determined K-9 partner and says there was never one moment that he did not want to please her. “He not only was determined, but taught me so much about life and how you live each day to fullest and get every opportunity you can,” Huffman said. She and many others have fond memories of Shrek throughout his time at MDPS. “One particular time, a gentleman had been tracked down by K-9 Shrek after he ran from a vehicle chase on foot and (he) gave up once found,” she said. “The same guy, almost a year later, came through a checking station and did not have his license.” Due to some suspicious activity, K-9 Shrek was brought to the vehicle to conduct a K-9 sniff, she said. The look on this guys face was priceless as his eyes nearly popped out of his head and he quickly stated something along the lines of ‘Do not worry, I am not running from him again,’” Huffman said. After the man said this, K-9 Shrek found one of his largest seizures of methamphetamines, she said. Shrek also tracked and located several missing children and criminals throughout Burke County. His bark and size caused more than 50 criminals to turn themselves over to officers without even being released to apprehend them, the information said. Shrek also loved opening up presents on Christmas and on his birthday and playing with his “fur brothers and sister.” When K-9 Shrek was not busy catching criminals, he was involved in conducting several school, civic and other public demonstrations of his abilities. Shrek will be deeply missed by his prior and current handler and their families, Morganton Public Safety and by many others who came in contact with him, the information said. I couldn’t ask for a better work family to have supported us as a team,” Huffman said in a Facebook post. “We got many criminals off the streets with their help. We also met several children in a variety of situations and had some fun. Thank you for being there, not just for me, but giving Shrek one last ‘atta boy.’”
