TEXAS (KXXV) — The Texas Game Wardens announce the passing of one of the department's first members of its K9 team, Turbo.
K9 Turbo passed away on October 16 and served as a dual certified Police Search and Rescue and Narcotics Detection K9, alongside his handler Sergeant Isaac Ruiz since 2014 before being medically retired in 2022.
The Texas Game Wardens shared in a social media post that throughout his career, Turbo helped federal, state and local law enforcement across South Texas and the Texas-Mexico border.
"He was best known for his booming bark and tenacity for the job," the Texas Game Wardens said.
When Turbo retired, he stepped into his new role as a family pet with his handler Sgt. Ruiz and his family, spending his days with Ruiz's children playing fetch, sharing cheese and watermelon, and watching over them.
The department says K9 Turbo will be deeply missed.
Sgt. Ruiz shared a poem he wrote, commemorating his time working side-by-side with Turbo:
TURBO
My strongest critics will say I was just playing with a dog.
But is it just playing when there’s much to learn?
When a lesson in heeling became a practice in healing.
When sit and stay became staying and sitting.
When a tug on a toy, tugged on a string.
I thought I just followed him but he taught me to lead.
And though my strongest critics could not be more wrong…
On my best days and worst, I was just playing with a dog.
