SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. — Summit County Sheriff's Office K9 Baby "Babe" Blue has died at age 3.
The sheriff's office announced the passing of the Babe on Monday, saying the dog died last week due to a medical condition involving a colonic torsion.
A German Shorthair Pointer originally from Hungary, Babe served with the Summit County Sheriff's Office since July 2022. Babe was selected by her K9 handler, technician Sarah Frost, when Babe was 1 year old.
Frost and Babe trained together in Indiana before starting their partnership in Summit County. The sheriff's office said a community member donated $15,000 to cover Babe’s initial acquisition and training costs.
"We are saddened by the sudden loss of Babe, who served our community with loyalty and courage," said Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons. "Her skill, dedication and fun-loving personality are greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Babe’s handler, technician Frost, at this time."
The public is invited to attend an upcoming meeting when the Summit County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will honor Babe with a proclamation in recognition of her service. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at the BOCC Hearing Room at the Old County Court House in Breckenridge.
The sheriff's office said Babe was trained in narcotics detection and tracking and she could track a person or their belongings with a whiff of a "scent article" containing the person’s smell.
Babe and Frost collaborated on approximately 1,300 incidents, ranging from searching for missing persons to narcotic traffic stops. Babe helped locate more than 70 pounds of illicit narcotics during her career, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said.
"Her service, including a recent extensive search for a missing juvenile, enhanced the safety and security of our community," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office K9 Program in Babe's honor. Donations may be delivered in person to 501 N. Park Ave. in Breckenridge or sent by mail to:
Summit County Sheriff’s Office
P.O Box 210
Breckenridge, CO 80424
