Dogs
Community Helps Police Officer Retire With K9 Partner
Officer Matt Hickey wanted to retire with his best friend and K9 partner, Ajax. But this turned out to be far more complicated than he thought.
Rachel Shapiro
07.13.18

For over 30 years, Officer Matthew Hickey devoted his life to the police force in Marietta, Ohio. When he turned 57 in 2016, he decided he was ready to retire to spend more time with his family.

When he retired, Hickey planned to buy his beloved K9 partner Ajax from the city of Marietta so the two could spend their golden years together. But then, Hickey learned that buying Ajax would be more complicated than he thought.

GoFundMe via Facebook
Source:
GoFundMe via Facebook

When police dogs retire, their handlers are allowed to buy them for one dollar. But Ajax was only six years old and still on active duty, and so Hickey knew he’d have to pay more. Hickey talked to his police chief, and he said that Hickey could buy Ajax for $3,500. But City officials refused to let Hickey buy the dog. Instead, they planned to auction him off to the highest bidder.

Bill Fitzgerald via Facebook
Source:
Bill Fitzgerald via Facebook

Hickey and his wife Sandra were both furious when they heard this.

“That just sounds so wrong to me, to auction off a living, breathing thing, like you would a desk or a chair,” Sandra Hickey told Crime Watch Daily.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

Hickey told one of his friends about the situation. Hickey’s friend couldn’t believe that the city wouldn’t let Hickey buy Ajax, and he posted about his frustration on Facebook. A Marietta resident named Corey Orr saw this Facebook post and decided to start a GoFundMe page to help Hickey.

The GoFundMe page and Hickey’s story quickly went viral. Soon, people across the country began donating to the page. Within a month, the campaign had raised over $72,000.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

Hickey was amazed to see how many people wanted to help him.

“It made me understand that there’s a lot more good people out there than there are bad people,” Officer Hickey said.

After the story went viral, the city of Marietta abandoned their plans to auction off Ajax. Instead, they let Hickey buy him for one dollar.

Fox 5 Atlanta via Facebook
Source:
Fox 5 Atlanta via Facebook

Since he didn’t need the GoFundMe money to buy Ajax, Hickey wanted to do something special with the money. And so, he decided to donate it to Vested Interest, a company that makes bulletproof vests for K9. Vested Interest then donates these vests to police departments who can’t afford them.

GoFundMe
Source:
GoFundMe

Now, Ajax and Hickey are both enjoying their retirement together.

Hickey often shares photos of Ajax on his Facebook page. The two love going on adventures, and they’re also big fans of relaxing together at home!

Matt Hickey via Facebook
Source:
Matt Hickey via Facebook

Hickey and Ajax are best friends and partners who have a whole community rooting for them. Now, these two best friends are getting to spend the rest of their lives together! If you’d like to learn more about Hickey and Ajax’s incredible story, check out the video below.

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