WHEATLAND – On his last day as an official part of the Platte County Sheriff’s Office on April 7, K9 Pancho was given a farewell dispatch from the sheriff’s office, which was also posted on the sheriff’s office Facebook page:
“Dispatch to all units, stand by for an announcement. Dispatch to K9 Pancho. This is your final call. Thank you for your years of dedicated service to this community. You’ve earned a well-deserved retirement. We wish you a happy and comfortable life. Relieved of duty. You’re such an amazing boy we love you so much. Clear and acknowledge.”
The Facebook post also included a thanks to the community from Pancho’s handler, Captain Will Kirlin, and the sheriff’s office:

“[We] want to thank the community [for] all your support for Pancho and his surgery. It’s time for him to retire but he will sure miss all the loves he gets he goes out. Thank you, Sarah, for making the dog cookies for him – he loved it.”
Last year, in response for a request for help to pay for surgery on Pancho to repair a herniated disc in his neck which was causing him mobility issues and pain. The surgery was a race against time to prevent further deterioration of his condition.
The community responded en-mass, donating to the sheriff’s office K9 program both in person at the sheriff’s office and on a GoFundMe set up by local K9 groomer Leah Maguire.
Within around one week, $10,508.49 was raised. When Pancho was able to undergo the surgery at Colorado State University veterinary teaching hospital. The surgery cost $13,698.39.
Sheriff David Russell said the surgery went well, but there were continuing health issues that necessitated Pancho’s retirement.
“There are not currently plans to replace him due to budget constraints. We have relied on donations from the community to have these amazing tools for our agency and the citizens of Platte County,” he added.