Champ, a 12-year-old Belgian Malinois that served as Police K-9 with the Town of Webb Police Department from 2005 to 2011, died on July 25, 2014 following surgery to repair a ruptured tumor.
Champ, trained to detect narcotics, and his handler Officer Daryl R. Ortlieb, worked as a team to net over 200 drug arrests in the Town of Webb, some of which were felonies that resulted in the violators being committed to state prison.
“Champ loved his work and was a rare one-of-a-kind breed that had a unique spirit far beyond the average K-9,” said former Webb Police Chief Robert Dibble.
Following retirement as a K-9, Dibble said Champ spent quality time at home with the Ortlieb family, Daryl, Amy and their son Daniel.