After 9 1/2 years of dedicated police service, Indiana State Police K9 Smoke will officially retire from duty.

Smoke is an 11 1/2 year old German Shepherd who served for two years as a police dog for a department in Iowa before being purchased by the Indiana State Police. He was named after Nascar Driver and Indiana native Tony Stewart. The Tony Stewart Foundation donated the money to purchase the dog in 2008. Smoke was a nickname given to Stewart after blowing engines during his 1997 championship run. The Tony Stewart Foundation has also generously donated ballistic vests to the state police K9 program for several dogs.

Smoke has spent his 9 year state police career with his handler and best friend Master Trooper Kyle Freeman. Together Freeman and Smoke have primarily patrolled the Indianapolis area, making numerous drug arrests. During one search Smoke located more than 19 Kilos of Cocaine and $500,000 cash.

Smoke was often used by our drug enforcement section during his career, helping them locate more than 100 pounds of cocaine, 70 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of heroin, 1 pound of crack cocaine, 400 pounds of marijuana and 30 doses of MDMA (ecstasy).

Master Trooper Kyle Freemon said, “I would like to thank Tony Stewart and his foundation for everything they have done. They gave me a phenomenal partner and a great friend who selflessly served the citizens of Indiana”

Smoke will enjoy his retirement was the Freeman family.