BRADY FLANIGANStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Police Department’s working dog, Storm, was officially retired last week following a medical diagnosis that disqualified him from continued service. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the retirement with a 6–0 vote on March 24, transferring ownership of Storm to his handler, Officer Derek Bowles, through a standard waiver agreement.

Storm was diagnosed with an infiltrative lipoma in his left front leg. The tumor is benign but aggressive—pushing into surrounding muscle and tissue. According to veterinary documentation, removing it would require full amputation of the limb, an option not recommended. He isn’t in pain, but he’s also showing early signs of arthritis in his hips.

Storm spent his career deployed on drug searches, suspect apprehensions, and multi-agency operations. His nose led to seizures of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. He physically apprehended seven individuals and was deployed in more than 40 other cases where the suspect gave up at the sight of him. Sometimes the teeth don’t have to come out.

He was involved in arrests that led to both state and federal convictions, and contributed to cash and vehicle seizures in the tens of thousands. He helped the Warren County Sheriff’s Office track down a shooting suspect, and in one case, he was used as a pain compliance measure during a struggle over a firearm—no one seriously injured.

Storm wasn’t all bite and business. He turned up at National Night Out, in schools, and at community events, where his temperament allowed him to work a crowd as easily as a suspect. That versatility made him a rare asset.

He placed in multiple K-9 competitions between 2021 and 2024, including two second-place finishes in the Randy Hare Detection Scramble, a first-place patrol dog award, and the overall top dog prize at the 2024 OnPoint K9 Competition.

An official retirement ceremony is expected at a future board meeting in April.