Summit County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of a K9 dog, Babe.
Babe, full name Baby “Babe” Blue, died July 22, 2024, due to a medical emergency involving a colonic torsion. The German short-haired pointer was 3 years old.
Babe’s career with the sheriff’s office was brief but busy. In just two years she and her handler, technician Sarah Frost, fielded roughly 1,300 calls. The dog sniffed out more than 70 pounds of illicit narcotics and most recently helped find a missing child.
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Technician Frost and Babe trained together at Vohne Liche Kennels, a prestigious training facility in Indiana, before starting their partnership in Summit County. A community member who prefers to remain anonymous generously donated $15,000 to cover Babe’s initial acquisition and training costs.
Trained in narcotics detection and tracking, Babe could track a person or their belongings with a whiff of a “scent article” containing the person’s smell. Her instincts and desire to search were a remarkable sight.
“We are saddened by the sudden loss of Babe, who served our community with loyalty and courage,” Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimsons says. “Her skill, dedication and fun-loving personality are greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Babe’s handler, Technician Frost, at this time.”
The board of county commissioners will honor Babe at its upcoming meeting with a proclamation in recognition of her service. The community is invited to attend on Aug. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the community for its support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office K9 Program in Babe’s honor. Donations may be sent by mail to the Sheriff’s Office at P.O Box 210, Breckenridge, CO, 80424, or delivered in person to 501 N. Park Avenue Breckenridge, CO