Retired Wareham Police K-9 Rolf Has Passed Away

Retired Wareham Police K-9 Rolf passed away Thursday, and the community is coming out and paying tribute to him.

The Wareham Police Department announced Rolf’s passing on its official Facebook page.

“We’re saddened to report that retired Wareham Police Department K-9 Rolf passed on from this life earlier today,” the department posted. “Rolf was guided to the Rainbow Bridge by his best friend and work partner, Officer Michael Phinney. Free time, Rolf. Free time.”

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When Rolf retired back on June 30, 2018, Officer Phinney posted a tribute to him and his service.

“I could not have asked for a better partner to have over the past 8.5 years. I have been amazed with the ability of this dog, and the things he has been able to achieve,” Officer Phinney wrote. “Rolf, your abilities have exceeded my expectations, and the bond that we have can never be duplicated.”

“I’m going to miss having you with me as I go forward, you have been my partner, best friend, and my protector,” he wrote. “You would have laid your life on the line without a thought to protect me, and those around us and I will never forget that. I can only hope that you have many years left with us to grow old, fat, and happy.”

Rolf got to enjoy four and a half years of retirement before his passing, and leaves behind a legacy against which all other police K-9s will be measured.

He made headlines often, such as in December of 2017 when he helped make two felony arrests in a matter of 10 days – catching an alleged intoxicated driver who fled the scene on foot, and then later apprehending the alleged suspect in the armed robbery of a gas station.

Rolf also helped catch a suspect that tried to elude police in May 2018, just a little less than two months before his retirement.