T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Copper, one of the K-9 officers at the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, enjoys his retirement party Wednesday. He is closing out a seven-year career of helping to take drugs off the streets.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — After seven years on the job, K-9 Officer Copper is closing out his career at the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff David Lucas and deputies held a retirement party Wednesday for the 11-year-old Labrador and presented him with a dog-safe cake. Copper will be heading home with his handler, Detective Sgt. Jason Schwarck. They have been partners throughout the K-9’s career.

Lt. Randy Stewart of the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit said Copper has proven himself a valuable member of the team.

“Copper was one of the first dogs that we had, so he was basically out there alone in the beginning,” Stewart said. “Copper has been trained by the state, certified by the state. Each dog is a little bit different. Each handler handles the dog a little bit differently, but a dog like Copper and Jason, their relationship, Jason was able to pick up on even the smallest change of behavior to alert where there was narcotics present.”

He said Copper’s record is impressive.

“We’ve had some large seizures, cocaine, large seizures of marijuana, money as well as weapons from his alerts from working the streets and getting alerts on cars, narcotics being present,” Stewart said.

He added that Copper specializes in narcotics detection, not apprehension.

“Copper is a single-purpose dog,” he said. “The amount of stuff that he’s found over the years — large seizures, small seizures — has put countless cases on the docket for the courts.

“Copper will be missed. He has been a big part of our team for his tenure,” he added.

Lucas said Copper will enjoy a retirement like any other officer of the department.

“Copper has put a lot of years in the sheriff’s office and did a phenomenal job,” Lucas said. “It’s his turn now. … He is a deputy sheriff. He performed the job and duties no different than any officers.”

Copper’s retirement leaves the sheriff’s office with K-9s Xyrem and Maximus, both Belgian Malinois. Lucas said he will consider obtaining another K-9.

“Possibly we’re going to look at his replacement,” Lucas said.

He said the office’s K-9s have been key to keeping drugs off the streets.

Schwarck reflected on his partner’s work to help take pounds of illegal narcotics off the streets.

“I’ve worked every day with him for the last seven years. He’s more than just a coworker,” Schwark said, adding that Copper’s retirement is well-deserved.

“I think he’s at the point where he needs to retire. With age comes physical limitations and now he’s going to retire, relax and spend some time at home,” he said, noting that Copper can look forward to more time swimming, one of his favorite activities that is also easy on his knees and hips.

Schwarck said Copper has been a welcome presence at the sheriff’s office.

“He gets along with the other dogs at the office. He does get along with other animals,” he said.

“When he’s at work, he’s all business, but when he gets home he’s just like every other dog. He enjoys playing.”