One of Orange County’s most dedicated arson investigators is retiring and ready to enjoy his golden years as a relaxed family pet.

K-9 Officer Freedom, a yellow Labrador who’s been with the department for seven years, will retire next month. The 9-year-old pooch helped the Orange County Fire Authority by sniffing out accelerants to solve critical cases.

Stream Los Angeles News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE

“It’s a really good sense,” said Capt. Shawn Miller, Freedom’s handler. “He can smell things in such small amounts that you and I can never smell.”

Freedom’s earliest years involved him being raised in prison. The Labrador was part of a program called Puppies Behind Bars, which helps qualified inmates raise puppies to become service dogs. The program aims to help in

See Full Page