After nearly ten years of service with the Orange Beach Police Department (OBPD), K9 Sadie officially retired just after her 12th birthday.

Sadie was born on March 14, 2014. Three years later, she started at OBPD at the beginning of 2017 after working in Casselberry Police Department.

On Aug. 24, 2018, Officer Brennan Giles became Sadie's handler.

"Sadie and I have worked together for nearly eight years and developed a strong working relationship and bond," Giles said. "On the job, Sadie was dependable, highly driven and always ready to work."

Sadie's responsibilities at OBPD mostly consisted of drug detection and community relations. Giles said she often assisted officers successfully in locating illegal narcotics in numerous cases and "had a meaningful impact on public safety."

She also regularly participated in school and community events aimed at educating students in her role as a police K9.

Though she is currently healthy and capable, Giles said her "years of dedicated service have made this the appropriate time for her to step away from active duty."

In her time at OBPD, Giles said Sadie also shone in her competition career with the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA).

She placed second overall in narcotics detection in 2020 and sixth overall in 2022.

In 2023, 2024 and 2025, she placed first in Region 1 for narcotics detection, achieving perfect scores in every area of narcotics detection each year.

"To our knowledge, Sadie is the only K9 in USPCA Region 1 history to accomplish this level of performance three consecutive years in a row," he said.

This year, Sadie placed third overall in narcotics detection, keeping a placed score in the competition "right up to her retirement."

Giles is taking over ownership of Sadie in her retirement, as is customary with K9s and their handlers, according to the resolution document for the transfer of ownership.

As the resolution was approved March 3, Sadie is set to relax and spend time doing some of her favorite things outside of work, such as chasing her tennis ball, swimming and playing with Giles' family.

"In retirement, Sadie will enjoy a slower pace of life, but she will still get to do what she loves," Giles said. "… We are grateful for Sadie's service and proud of the work she accomplished during her career."