A German Shepherd named Faust was a beloved K-9 police dog who served as an explosive detection and patrol dog for the BNSF Railroad Police Unit in Texas.
For eight years, this courageous canine handler, accompanied by his handler, Senior Special Agent Brian Shaffer, has consistently demonstrated an outstanding ability to serve and protect the public. In recognition of his valuable contribution to society and the country at large, Faust was given an emotional retirement.
Prepare to be moved by the story of the bravery, loyalty and lasting impact of an outstanding K-9 officer. an emotional farewell
K9 officer and German Shepherd in car
As K-9 Faust took his last ride in a patrol car with his beloved handler, little did he know that he would soon receive one last radio call and an emotional tribute to his extraordinary journey and dedication.
March 3, 2017 was K-9 Faust’s last day with the Fort Worth Police Force. Faust received the last radio call of his career, as is customary for all retired officers.
A K9 officer hugs a German Shepherd in a car
Source: BNSF Railroad
A video posted on BNSF Railroad’s YouTube channel shows Faust and his agent, Brian Shaffer, sitting in a police car as truckers made a final radio call. “K-9 partner Faust just finished his last shift after eight years and one day as an explosive detection and police service dog and is now officially retired. Faust, thank you for your service to BNSF Railroad, the communities you serve, and most others everything , most importantly, thank you for serving and protecting your processors. Now we wish you a safe, healthy and happy retirement. Radio ready. ”
When the call ended, K-9 Faust could be heard sobbing, his eight-year-old handler completely overcome with emotion. Officer Schaefer kissed Faust with a sad expression on his face.
The K9 officer and the shepherd look at each other in the car
Source: BNSF Railroad
The clip was originally posted on YouTube on March 6, 2017 and has since been viewed over 720,000 times. Faust’s emotions as he leaves can be seen here:
thank you for your service
German shepherd dog lying on the grass
“Faust, thank you for all the good you do for BNSF and other agencies, but most of all, I thank you for getting us home safely after every shift,” Special Agent Brian Shaffer said in the said farewell post on Facebook.
“He is now officially a permanent member of our family,” Officer Shaffer concluded. Sadly, Faust passed away in 2020 at the age of 13 after three years of retirement as a permanent member of the Shafer family.
A K9 officer and his dog wear sunglasses
Faust was more than a partner to Officer Schaefer. “We have a different bond with Faust than with other dogs. He sees the best and the worst in me. He saw me laugh and cry. I spend more time with him than with my family. We just have something special,” Shafer said.
His impeccable work ethic set the standard for all, and his courage, bravery, enthusiasm and jovial spirit were some of the things that made Faust so special. BNSF Railroad recently announced its posthumous induction into the We Ride to Provide (WRTP) Hall of Fame on Instagram.
Faust’s legacy will live on forever.
