Axel retires
Veteran K-9 begins retirement with handler
Cpl. Adam Warren worked with Axel at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and now rents him from the county in his retirement.
Warren is technically renting the former K-9 unit dog from the county for $1 per year and paying his food and medical expenses.
Axel retired on Nov. 17. He had worked with the department since April 2018, after graduating from training that year.
“It’s a lot different going to work and not having a dog in the car with you, but he’s always excited when I get home,” Warren said. “He really liked to work.”
He said Axel gets upset “when the car leaves with me.”
Warren looks back fondly on their years of work together.
“I always say he’s the best backup you could ever ask for,” Warren said. “He’s right there and he’s man’s best friend.”
He described himself and Axel as both “blank slates” when they were first training, as Axel hadn’t worked with police and Warren hadn’t worked with dogs.
“Handling a dog was one of the most-frustrating and most-rewarding things in my career,” Warren said.
The frustration came from the difficulty of communication.
“You’re trying to teach an animal that can’t talk back to you how to do something,” he said.
The reward, however, came when that training succeeded and they could apply it in the field.
“It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world,” said Warren.
Axel had 644 deployments, assisted with 320 arrests, and made 266 drug finds during his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office. He also helped find missing people.
“I hope he’s able to just ease into retirement and enjoy a long relaxing life,” Warren said.