Where's Tank?

By Donna Swicegood

For years, as Quinn Witherspoon patrolled the streets of Concord, his company was his canine companion, Tank.
Witherspoon, who was shot to death by his wife, Misty, on Sept. 13, 2005, was remembered for his dedication to his job and to the 8-year-old German shepherd.
Concord police officers came to the Witherspoon home the day Quinn was killed and picked up Tank.
What became of the German shepherd after that is a question many people have posed during Misty Witherspoon’s nearly four-week murder trial.
Concord Police Department Deputy Chief Guy Smith said Tank is now living out his retirement years in style.
A former canine officer with the Concord Police Department and his wife, a veterinarian, have adopted the shepherd.
In the days following Quinn’s death, the department debated about Tank’s future, Smith said.
Initially, he was kept at the office of the veterinary staff that cares for Concord’s nine canines, Smith said.
The thought of placing him with another handler was briefly considered, Smith said.
“We all decided that wouldn’t be in the best interest of the dog,” Smith said.
After all, Tank was nearing 9 years old, and most police canines do not stay on active duty that long, he said.
In most instances, when a canine is retired, the handler is given the option of keeping the dog, but that wasn’t possible in this case, Smith said.
So after looking at a number of possibilities, the idea of placing Tank with the officer and his wife seemed the best answer for Tank.
Now, Tank, who will be 11 in December, has a large farm to run around on and chase squirrels.
“He’s really in a good place,” Smith said.