NAMPA, Idaho — Dogs are a man's best friend and many become not just pets, but instead become part of the family. They say all dogs go to heaven, and in the case of Riddick, the police K-9 who lost his life, there can be no question.
Nampa Police Department (NPD) lost one of their own Saturday night – K-9 Riddick. The dog was on duty when the vehicle he was riding in was hit by a suspect during a police pursuit.
Riddick’s handler, Cody Huss, was treated for injuries, but the dog died on the scene. Riddick was a 3-and-a-half-year old German Shepard, and he had been serving with Nampa PD for two years.
“It's not a whole lot different than a fallen officer,” said Brad Childers, lieutenant for Nampa PD.
Riddick was one of twelve K-9 dogs at the department – and NPD has the largest K-9 unit in the state of Idaho, Childers said.
“Having a K-9 on the team is a force multiplier,” Childers said. "When we select a canine, it's a long process. We don't just order one or go down to PetSmart to get a new dog. What we do is we take the handler and take them with us through that kind of beginning of that journey. So, they will help handpick their dog, and they'll go through a series of processes."
Childers added NPD hand picks each of their K-9’s, and then they go through ten weeks of extensive training.
“They have to be able to hunt, to find drugs for us, be willing to go into a dark room and fight a bad guy by themselves, and then go do a school demo with little kids and be okay around little kids,” Childers said.
He said what they ask the dogs to do is a "big ask." Additionally, the bond between dog and handler is just as important.
"The canine will not only spend 800 plus hours being certified to work the streets and handle our surrounding agencies and requests for help, they also spend their days off completely with the handler and their family," he said.
Riddick was used at least 20 times per month, Childers said.
“They're getting used for a purpose and they're having fun doing it,” Childers said. As for the handlers, he said, "it's a very unique role. There's no better job get to spend an entire day with a dog."
Nampa PD said there will be a public ceremony for Riddick, and they will announce that as soon as they can, Childers said.
“We take pride in the fact that not only do we care for our canine, but our families at home too, and then that bond also grows,” Childers said.