Heart felt eulogy penned by Adams County K-9 handler Deputy Phillips, referring to the loss of K-9 Garrett. Garrett served our County well and of course the bond between his handler and the handlers family, and our Sheriff’s Office Team, is and will forever be honored and remembered.
Please take time to mourn with us as we thank, say goodbye and remember this amazing team member!! Thank you Garrett!!
On Thursday December 1st, 2022 my best friend K9 Garrett passed away. He was almost 10 years old (Jan 19th). He was my partner, best friend and at times my therapist. Mere words cannot describe what Garrett means to me. I learned so much over the years from being blessed to have him with me.
From the beginning Garrett chose me, when I went to California in July of 2015 to pick out a dog, I was overwhelmed to say the least. I walked through the kennels full of what seemed like rabid dogs trying to eat me through their gates. I had a list of dogs recommended by the staff for type of dog we wanted in Adams County. As I passed each dog, some did flips off the walls, some genuinely wished to eat me.
I remember walking around a corner and seeing a giant German Shepherd with the name Garrett written on the gate placard. He too was barking until I rounded the corner and made eye contact with him. Garrett immediately stopped barking and sat in silence as I approached his gate. I thought in that moment, “he is the one”. Our connection was instant, we were meant to be best friends and partners.
Garrett was 2 years old when I got him, from eastern Germany and had the beautiful look of the old classic shepherds. It is common for handlers to change the name of their K9, but nothing seemed to fit him better than Garrett. Garrett is a German name and means spear, strength and defender. A name associated with bravery and strength was all too fitting for him and a description of the dog he would become in the Adams County community.
K9 Garrett would get many nicknames over the years; Gary, Gare Bear, Gary Houdini (for his grand escapes from his kennel). For those who knew him the best, he was Grumpy Garrett. He first earned this nickname in our K9 academy. During our graduation he tried to jump over a fence and missed, the crowd laughed, and he turned and growled at everyone. He was a big dog and not the most agile or athletic, but what he lacked in those areas, he made up for with heart. He would keep trying until he got it.
K9 Garrett was a big dog but his personality was even bigger. Garrett was more human than dog at times. Garrett liked to be near kids and protect them but he did not like kids to touch him. Any time a child reached out to him he growled and snarled; however he followed my kids around the yard always on the lookout for danger. He had to be with them but they weren't allowed to touch him. They were part of his pack-but make no mistake, in his mind, he was higher in our pack than they were.
K9 Garrett was stoic to a fault and lived to work. He had drive for days and his focus and obedience were unmatched. He always made me look good and was always willing to listen to my commands, whether I deserved it or not.
K9 Garrett was known for his powerful nose and his ability to find drugs anywhere. He won countless K9 competitions for sniffing things out the fastest during our narcotics training school. He always made it look easy.
Garrett could escape any kennel and learned to open doors. He viewed everything as a challenge and a problem to be solved. He would spend days planning and plotting his escape even if it meant causing himself bodily harm. Most of the times K9 Garrett escaped from his kennel he would go lay under the patrol car and wait to go to work. Once he escaped and kept a fellow deputy trapped in his car at 3 am until they were able to get a hold of me. They became great friends afterwards.
K9 Garrett had a terrifying bark that demanded compliance from those we were tasked to take into custody. You could hear his jaws snap together. Most of the subjects we were tasked with taking into custody gave up after just hearing him bark. Garrett developed a reputation throughout the county as the dog you didn't mess with and didn’t run from.
Once during a jail search an inmate asked me, "Is that Garrett? I've heard about him you don't mess with him." He then pancaked himself against the wall and didn't move until we left.
During one encounter, I was detaining a subject who was with about six other friends. The six decided to come to their friend’s aid, so I wouldn’t detain him. As they attempted to put hands on me, K9 Garrett about came through the car door of my patrol car and barking, snapping his teeth and wanting out to protecting dad. They all backed away and I safely detained the individual. I could go on and on about the many times he kept me and my co-workers from harm.
All I ask if for you all to help me in honoring him by commenting your favorite memory, story, or picture of K9 Garrett. We were blessed to serve in a community who fell in love with Garrett. He loved any who were willing to play tug with him and there was no shortage of you in Adams County. We loved to serve you and thank you for your support.
Thank you, Sheriff Wagner, for the opportunity to serve with K9 Garrett as a member of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Thank you, Sagehill Veterinary Services, for all the years of putting up with Grumpy Garrett. A special thank you for these past few days, your staff made a really tough time a little easier.
Thank you Mid-Columbia Pet Emergency Service for helping us navigate his final hours and making him the most comfortable possible. Your staff was professional and kind.
Rest easy my good boy. You’ve earned it and I’ll see you on the other side.
Original source can be found here.
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