A procession of emergency vehicles from several agencies escorted retired K9 Gripper through Winnemucca to his final resting place at home last week after his recent passing.
Gripper spent several years as a K9 officer with the Nevada Highway Patrol as a narcotics detection dog with his partner, handler and best friend Detective Tim Raabe based in Winnemucca.
Gripper graduated from a four-month narcotics detection academy training on April 16, 2010 and began his career.
Gripper and his handler traveled to other parts of the state visiting with students from preschool to high school, going to award ceremonies and keeping them safe.
During his distinguished career, Gripper located hundreds of pounds of controlled substances on the interstate, increasing community safety and officer confidence without ever signaling without substances present.
In October 2013, Gripper was involved in a shooting in Golconda, NV during an interdiction stop and was struck with several pieces of shrapnel.
Prior to the procession, several representatives from various agencies spoke in high regard of Gripper and the service to not only the community of Winnemucca but throughout the state.
Raabe said he received calls from individuals he has worked with throughout the state about the passing of Gripper and they shared the lasting impression the K9 made on other officers and handlers throughout the years.
“K-9 Gripper retired in February of 2015 and lived with his handler’s family. K-9 Gripper spent his retirement protecting the house and his family whom he loved dearly. K-9 Gripper loved camping, drinking beer, and most of all being around his handler “Dad,” said the Nevada Highway Patrol in a Facebook post.
