Southern Illinois – A highly decorated Illinois State Police K-9 is officially enjoying retirement after years of assisting in major drug and firearm seizures across Southern Illinois.
According to Illinois State Police Troop 8, K-9 Diesel was retired on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, alongside his handler, Master Sergeant Jeremy “Elijah” Moyers. Diesel served as a crime-fighting partner for more than six years, working cases that spanned multiple jurisdictions and assisted numerous law enforcement agencies.
Master Sergeant Moyers began his career as a canine handler after graduating from Canine Class 75 in the spring of 2017. While he was initially assigned another K-9, Moyers became Diesel’s handler in the fall of 2018, forming a long-standing partnership that would lead to significant enforcement successes.
During their time together, Moyers and Diesel were credited with six bite apprehensions and 51 non-bite apprehensions, according to ISP. Their work also led to the seizure of more than $226,000 in illicit U.S. currency, 23 firearms, and large quantities of illegal drugs.
Authorities say the pair helped remove approximately 2,355 pounds of marijuana, 13 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of cocaine, and 2 kilograms of heroin from Illinois communities.
Illinois State Police officials noted that becoming a canine handler requires specialized training, and the dogs themselves undergo extensive preparation to perform demanding and often dangerous duties in the field.
Troop 8 congratulated both Master Sergeant Moyers and K-9 Diesel for their years of service, thanking them for their dedication to public safety. Diesel is now expected to enjoy a well-earned retirement filled with rest and comfort.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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