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Indianapolis TSA K-9 retires after 8-year career

Posted at 5:07 PM, Jun 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-18 17:07:38-04

INDIANAPOLIS — After an 8-year career at the Indianapolis International Airport, explosive detection K-9 TTirado is retiring.

TTirado was named after New York Engine 23 Firefighter Hector Luis Tirado Jr., who died on 9/11. He is one of the last dogs across the country that were part of the TSA-bred puppy program.

TTirado’s last day on the job was May 29.

“I am thankful for such a fantastic partner in TTirado as my first dog,” Handler Keith Gray said. “He has taught me a lot over the years, and I have been amazed in his growth and how far we have come.”

Gray and TTirado also supported security operations for major sporting events like Super Bowls, the NCAA Final Four, Kentucky Derby, Indy 500, as well as the 2017 Presidential Inauguration.

TTirado, who is 10-and-a-half-years old, is being adopted by the Gray family, and he’ll continue to live in Indianapolis. Keith’s new work partner is Ari, a German Shorthaired Pointer.