Happy retirement, K-9 Tara!

Sumter County Sheriff's Office recently celebrated the retirement of K-9 Tara after eight years of service.

Tara and Sgt. Peyton Way started serving together in 2018 and have been inseparable since, the agency said. The pair formed a deep bond working their 12-hour shifts.

"I spend more time with my K-9 partner than I do anyone in my family honestly," Way said. "Because they're in the cars with you for 12-and-a-half-hours-plus a day, and you go home and you're still with them, creating a bond with them is the best part about it."

"We put a lot of trust and emotion into our K-9s just as they do us."

The relationship between a K-9 handler and a K-9 partner is built on mutual reliance. Way said her goal each day was to ensure community members, sheriff's office deputies, Tara and herself go home safely.

During her career, Tara earned an excellent reputation among law enforcement agencies and the community. She was certified in several vital skills, including suspect apprehension, tracking, searching and handler protection. While she was highly effective in all areas, Way said Tara's specialty was tracking. She tracked fugitives and was essential in searches for missing children and elders.

Tara was also instrumental in removing illegal drugs and firearms from the streets. Through the years, she helped seize large amounts of money and significant quantities of drugs. According to Way, Tara once located two kilograms of illegal drugs, one of the largest seizures within the county, and also helped with one of largest marijuana busts within the county.

Beyond her tactical successes, Tara was a fixture at community events, schools and churches. Way said the K-9 could transition "seamlessly" from work mode to pet mode, often amazing audiences at National Night Out and other public events.

"Tara loved to show off," Way said. "She's an excellent dog and very good with kids and anyone who wants to meet her and love on her - unless she's working."

Even suspects noticed Tara's longevity. Way recalled a moment after an arrest when a fleeing suspect looked at the K-9 and asked, "Aren't you ready to retire?"

Now officially retired, Tara is enjoying life at home with Way's family and horses. She is settling into her new role as "barn dog" and looking forward to visits to the beach.

Way and her new K-9 partner will soon be training and certifying to rejoin the force.