Little did I know…
K9 Justice and CPO Wayne Billhimer (right) greeting DGIF Board members Tom Sadler (center) and Gary Martel at Justice’s retirement ceremony. DGIF photo
It was my second Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting and the first thing on the agenda, after the call to order formalities, was recognition of employees. That’s when the bad news came. Major Scott Naff gave us the word about K9 CPO Justice. Cancer.
If you have lost a dog to illness you know the feeling, the bottom drops out. The look on his handler, CPO Billhimer’s face was sad stoicism and a deep love for his partner. I barely held it together.
The Department has shared their remarkable story here: K9 CPO Justice Retires. Please give it a read.
Most importantly, take a moment and make a donation. Thanks to the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, a special fund has been set up for the care of DGIF’s K9 CPOs including Justice. Contributions will help pay for equipment, food, general wellness care, and veterinary care for these canine officers.
Retired K9 Justice and CPO Wayne Billhimer DGIF Photo