North Vernon Police K9 Heros worked his last patrol day on Tuesday and Sgt. Andrew Richmond, Heros’ handler, says his partner made the most of his final day.

Richmond says the first event occurred at 12:53 PM when Officer Shane Trepanier stopped a pickup truck for an obstructed view from the windshield and the passenger threw a cigarette butt from the vehicle on South State Street. During the stop Officer Trepanier began noticing suspicious behavior from both the driver and passenger. He called for assistance from K9 Heros. Richmond says that Heros was alerted to the odor of an illegal drug coming from within the vehicle. A search conducted revealed the passenger, 27-year-old Deanna Daniel, of North Vernon, had a methamphetamine smoking device, marijuana and methamphetamine hidden in her bra. In addition, authorities say that the driver, 34-year-old Ryan Beeman, of North Vernon, gave them a false name. He was wanted on a warrant for Risk of Fleeing for Non-Support of a Dependent

Daniel is facing preliminary charges of:

– Possession of a Controlled Substance Level 6 felony
– Possession of Methamphetamine Level 6 felony
– Possession of Paraphernalia Class A misdemeanor
– Possession of Marijuana Class B misdemeanor

In addition to the warrant, Beeman is facing preliminary charges of:

– Operating while Never Being Licensed Class B misdemeanor
– False Identity Statement Class A misdemeanor

Richmond says the second incident occurred at 3:08 p.m. when Officer Wes Thayer stopped a vehicle for a false or fictitious license plate on West O&M Avenue. Officer Thayer discovered the vehicle didn’t have current insurance and recognized some suspicious behavior. He called for assistance from K9 Heros, who alerted to the odor of an illegal drug coming from within the vehicle. A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, marijuana, a methamphetamine smoking pipe, a marijuana smoking pipe, a set of digital scales, multiple small bags and a prescription only pill not in it’s container. The prescription pill was found in the pocket of the driver, 46-year-old Dustin Lozier, of North Vernon. Both the driver and passenger, 22-year-old Jeremy Lozier, also of North Vernon, were arrested.

Both are facing preliminary charges of:

– Possession of Methamphetamine Level 6 felony
– Possession of a Controlled Substance Level 6 felony
– Possession of a Legend Drug Level 6 felony
– Possession of Marijuana Class B misdemeanor
– Possession of Paraphernalia Class A misdemeanor

Heros was honored Monday night with a retirement ceremony at the North Vernon City Council meeting. The body also approved the transfer of ownership for the dog from the city’s police department to Sgt. Richmond and his family. Heros is eight-and-a-half years old and has served the city’s police department for approximately seven years.