Indio police officer retires with K9 partner

As the city of Indio faces budget cuts, one police officer is being hailed for his final heroic act — deciding to retire.

After nine years at the Indio Police Department, Officer Larry Hammers is retiring. Indio Police Chief Richard Twiss said Hammers’ departure means one less pink slip for the department.

“The position he’s vacating, actually saves one of the police officer positions that I was going to have to lay off, Twiss said. “This is truly a selfless act. It’s an honorable act on the part of Officer Hammer and his family.”

Hammers’ dedication to service runs in the family. His father worked as firefighter for the city of Indio Fire Department. In 1978, Hammers started his own career, working as a volunteer firefighter in Indio.

The home grown Indio native put out fires for 28 years in Indio, Palm Springs and Laguna Beach. He then changed out of his heavy yellow firefighting suit for an officer’s uniform when he began working as an Indio reserve officer in 2004.

“When you lose somebody with that type of experience in the public safety arena, it’s a hit to the organization,” said Twiss.

During his tenure at the Indio Police Department, Hammers worked closely with a K9 partner, Jager. The two spent four years together in the field. Along the way, they developed a close bond.

“It’s a trust you build between each other,” Hammers said. “And he trusts me and I trust him.”

Jager came onto the force in 2008 and as his partner retires, Jager is going with him.

“My four years in the K9 unit were phenomenal, this is a dog that’s just amazing, Hammers said. “You got to learn to trust your dog and he just he took care of me for the last four years.”

Hammers will soon be working with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. He will be sworn-in June 1. Hammer said that Jager, however, will be resting at home.