Everyone wish the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9, Dexter, a happy birthday.

The sheriff’s office posted a picture of the German Shepard on its social media to celebrate his sixth birthday Sunday.

Dexter is originally from the Netherlands and is the fastest dog in the unit, according to the sheriff’s office.

“When he is off duty, you will usually find him locked in on his favorite toy, a Kong, or heading straight for his favorite activity: the water,” the department said. “Swimming is his happy place, and he even uses an underwater treadmill for physical therapy and exercise to stay in top shape.”

The sheriff’s office has been public about its love and admiration for its K-9 units.

In April, the department unveiled a memorial for fallen K-9 officer Graffit. The 10-year-old German shepherd is memorialized by the sheriff’s office with a statue outside the office near the rose garden in Golden.

On Feb. 13, 2023, the Golden Police Department — along with campus police at the Colorado School of Mines and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office — were pursuing a drunk-driving suspect near the campus.

Officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle — later identified as 31-year-old Eduardo Romero — in the middle of the road. Romero then rammed patrol cars and took off, running down the street.

The suspect pulled a handgun on the officers, stopping the pursuit. Golden police officer Chris Whyte contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for assistance, with the department bringing out Graffit. 

Graffit and crew tracked the suspect onto the campus. The dog began letting the officers know that the suspect was nearby as they climbed a hill. Graffit was shot and killed at the top of the hill before the officers got there.

“The suspect, later on in an interview, admitted he was waiting for us to cross the hill. He was going to shoot and kill us all,” Whyte told The Denver Gazette in September. “Graffit paid the ultimate price and took the bullet for us that night.”

And heroes like Graffit are still at work, and play, in the county.

“Thank you Dexter, for your incredible nose, your tireless dedication and your protective nature that help keep our community safe. We’re paws-itively lucky to have you,” the department wrote Sunday.