Cherokee Nation Marshal Service K-9 Officer Dies

NewsOn6.com

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma -- A Cherokee Nation Marshal Service says it has lost one of its K-9 officers.

Ringo, a Belgian Shepherd, a nine year veteran of the service was euthanized last week following a ruptured tumor.

In a news release from the Cherokee Nation, Ringo was twice decorated as K-9 of the year by the Association of Oklahoma Narcotics Enforcement, primarily due to the immense amount of narcotics he detected, leading to numerous arrests.

Over the past three years, Ringo and his handler, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Danny Tanner, gave presentations at area schools and local events in an effort to encourage children and other people in the community to avoid the life-threatening dangers of illegal drugs.

The Cherokee Nation says Ringo's death leaves the Marshal Service with just one specially trained K-9 officer, Runa.