Even the greatest of careers must come to an end at some time. In any career, reaching retirement is certainly a worthy accomplishment, and nowhere is that more notable than in the dangerous world of law and safety enforcement.
Fort Worth K9 Officer Quigley has reached that status, and he is doing so after serving in one of the city’s most delicate departments, one could say. Wednesday morning at 10, he will be officially hanging up his badge as he retires from the K9 Explosives Detection Unit.
The ceremony will take place at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex, 505 W. Felix St.
At the same ceremony, which will include Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis, along with the FWFD Fire and Arson Team, Quigley’s replacement will be introduced. Barkevious will greet the public, while the department’s two other K9 officers, Paula and Willie, will also be in attendance.
In 2002 the FWFD and the City of Fort Worth responded to the growing need of a K9 explosive detection team by acquiring the department’s first K9, a Labrador Retriever named Mint. Since then three other K9s have worked for and retired from the department.
In 2011, K9 Quigley was brought onto the team. He has worked several high profile events such as the Super Bowl, Texas Motor Speedway, rallies and conventions.