Officers from all over Maine came to pay their respects to Sultan the police dog in an emotional farewell after the K9 fell ill. The 13-year-old dog had a “stellar reputation among Maine law enforcement” and had an exceptional career having helped many law enforcement agencies after joining the Yarmouth Police Department as their first K9 officer in 2003.
Sultan and his handler Officer Michael Vogel worked over 1000 calls together before the dog retired in 2012 with South Portland Officer Shane Stephenson and his family. For the past few years Sultan lived the life of luxury in retirement with Stephenson’s family, “deserving every bit of it”.
He was a “great member of the department” and also a “gentle and protective member” of his family the department said. In his last hours Sultan was weak but he lifted his head to greet every single one of the officers who came to say goodbye to him.
The officers escorted Sultan and Stephenson to the veterinarian’s office, lining the walkway to the door for one last heartfelt salute. They wrote a tribute to him on Facebook and described the day they had to say goodbye: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of K9 Sultan, the first K9 for the Yarmouth Police Department…The officers escorted Sultan to the vet center in Yarmouth and lined the walkway while Officer Stephenson carried him inside. It was an extremely emotional time, but it was an honor to provide the detail to such a valued member of our department…Good boy Sultan. It was our honor to work with you. RIP.”
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