Rawlins Officer Retires After Six Years on Force

MARCH 7, 2025|

Photo – K9 Officer Riggs poses with his handler and Rawlins City Council – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The Rawlins Police Department bid farewell to one of their own.

During the March 4^th Rawlins city council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey made a special announcement. After six years of serving with the Rawlins Police Department, K9 Officer Riggs is retiring. City Manager Sarvey said Riggs’s handler, Sergeant Christopher Craig and his family, will take ownership of the former drug-sniffing Belgian Malinois.

Sarvey continued, saying Riggs will remain a retired K9 officer for the remainder of his life. The Craig family will take over all care and maintenance for the animal, and Sergeant Craig will no longer serve as a K9 handler with the Rawlins Police Department.

Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward released a statement saying that Sergeant Craig continues to contribute to the Rawlins Police Department’s K9 program by aiding in selecting new K9 officers and coordinating K9 training.  When Riggs retired, Sergeant Craig elected not to continue as a handler with a new K9.

Instead, Sergeant Craig continues to serve as a front-line supervisor and leader while also fulfilling additional roles within the department, such as certified firearms instructor.

K9 Officer Justice is being trained to take over for Riggs. Justice is a German Shepard and will work with his handler, Officer Colton Halacy, to keep drugs off the streets of Rawlins.

Chief Ward wrote that the Rawlins Police Department is looking for a second K9 Officer and handler. However, recruiting efforts have been unsuccessful.