Joplin Police say goodbye to retired K9 “Ben” | KSNF/CODE

JOPLIN, Mo. – A popular member of the Joplin Police Department is retiring after six years of service.

Joplin Police K9 Ben hit the streets for his last shift today.

K9 Ben began his service with JPD in March 2018 alongside his partner Officer Adam Brannin.

Since then, Ben has helped the department get various drugs off the streets.

JPD officials say K9 Ben was known for his arrests.

He had 21 of them in numerous situations such as tracking, searches, break-ins, attic operations and patrols.

Officer Brannin says his most memorable moment with Ben was when he apprehended a suspect hiding in an attic.

He says the two fell through the ceiling, but that didn’t stop Ben from apprehending the suspect.

He says now that Ben is getting older and the recent change in marijuana laws in December 2022 ended his drug enforcement career, it’s just time to slow down.

Ben will spend his retirement with Officer Brannin and his family.

He told us that he will start training his next partner from tomorrow.