SHERIFF'S DOG DIES IN DRUG TRAINING

After 21 dog years in service, one of Santa Fe County Sheriff's
Department's top canines died in the line of duty Monday morning. Max, a
4-year-old male German Shepherd who loved to chase bad guys and sniff out
contraband, succumbed to methamphetamine poisoning during a routine
drug-training exercise.

"It's very unfortunate that we lost one of our best dogs today,"
Undersheriff Benjie Montano said. "Max was a pretty good, well-rounded dog.
He was probably one of our best tracking dogs." Accompanied by his handler,
Deputy Ernest Borrego, Max was undergoing his biweekly narcotics training
at the La Cienega Fire Station Monday morning.

As part of the exercise, professional trainers hid a plastic-wrapped
package of methamphetamine inside a drawer, Montano said.

"He had no problems finding it, but he accidentally unlocked the drawer
with his paws and grabbed the drug," Montano said. "He bit it and spit it
out."

Max immediately collapsed at the scene and was rushed to a veterinarian's
office in Santa Fe, where he died, Montano said.

"He either inhaled or ingested some of the meth, and it was powerful enough
to kill him," Montano said.

The sheriff's department has ordered an autopsy to determined how much
methamphetamine Max may have inhaled or swallowed.

Holding back tears, Borrego on Monday still talked about his crime-fighting
companion of three years in the present tense.

"He's just so aggressive for everything. It's his nature," Borrego said.
"It's an accident, and it's unfortunate this happened."

Max was a multitalented police dog who tracked lost individuals in Santa Fe
area forests with the same intensity he showed when pursuing criminals
running from the law.

He also assisted his master on patrol, sniffing drugs on unsuspecting users
or dealers during traffic stops.

To his credit, Max helped catch several criminals in his short career. Only
a month ago, he nabbed a drunken driver who led Borrego on a high-speed
chase, then tried to flee on foot after abandoning his vehicle on N.M. 14
near the state prison. "I let Max loose to do his thing," Borrego said.

Borrego also recalled another incident two years ago when he was struggling
with a belligerent man during a traffic stop. Max jumped out of the squad
car to help his master.

"I didn't even call him. He just knew I was in trouble," Borrego said.

Max once outran six deputies to stop a Santa Fe County man who was accused
of threatening to kill his wife with a double-edged ax.

"He made a big difference out there. We're going to miss him," Borrego said.

Borrego said his three children are devastated by Max's death. "He is part
of the family. They're crying, and they're taking it very hard.

"I have always told people that it was like having four kids. But the dog
listened," he added, forcing a smile.

Borrego said he will cremate Max and keep his ashes in an urn at his house.

"I'll have him with me all the time," he said. "It's really hard to
explain. It's kind of losing a family member."

Undersheriff Montano said that the department will retire Max's name as
long as he and Sheriff Ray Sisneros are in the office.

"That will be our only Max," Montano said.