Sergeant Bill Applebee has been chasing down criminals in Queensland for almost four decades, driven by the satisfaction of putting bad guys away and a special connection between him and his police dogs.
"When you're actually tracking down an offender, the feeling you get, the elation you get and the adrenaline rush from tracking behind a dog, to find the offender at the end of the track — it's just a feeling you wouldn't believe," Sergeant Applebee said.
Sergeant Applebee said he was the longest-serving police dog handler in Australasia, and now after 37 years as a handler and 43 years in the Queensland Police Service, had decided to retire.
Bundaberg Acting Inspector Glenn Cameron said it was an "amazing achievement".
"[Sergeant Applebee is] the longest-serving police dog handler in Queensland's history, and I believe in Australia," Acting Inspector Cameron said.
"He has tracked people suspected of murder, robbery, serious violent offences, and put himself and his dog in danger on numerous occasions."
Awards for bravery
Sergeant Applebee was responsible for saving the life of a backpacker in 1995 and received a commendation for his brave conduct and the police valour award.
"Back in 1995 there was a backpacker who climbed a railway bridge and electrocuted himself," he said.
"I ended up climbing the bridge itself and grabbing hold of him because he was about to fall.
"We were up there for about an hour and probably 40 or 50 metres above the ground — I held onto him until they could get us down."
In February 2010, Sergeant Applebee and his police dog discovered the body of murdered schoolgirl Trinity Bates in a stormwater drain in Bundaberg.
The eight-year-old had been kidnapped from her family's home while she slept the previous day.
"With that particular case I knew the family fairly well, I'd known them for some time, so it really struck a chord with me and dug deep into my heart," Sergeant Applebee said.
"I've seen some fantastic things that humans can do, but I've also seen some horrible, horrible things that humans do to each other."
A special bond with dogs
It was a strong connection to dogs that saw Sergeant Applebee join the Queensland Police Service when he was just 15 years old and become a handler.
"My father was actually a dog handler in the British Army … so I always had an interest in the dogs and that's where I wanted to go," Sergeant Applebee said.
"I've been fortunate that I'm in the dog squad and had a great time — it's a great career.
"When you're working with a police dog you're with the dog for eight hours a day … you spend more time with the dog then you do with your family."
Sergeant Applebee has had seven dogs over the years, with Angel being his last, but said they were all special to him.
"Angel will be retiring too … and she will go to another family somewhere," he said.
He recalled one of his other dogs, Yang, had been "a great police dog".
"Big and strong and boisterous … I would have loved to have had him when I was in my 20s because he was just so strong," he said.
"We'd run a track through the scrub … and he'd just … drag you through the lantana."
Sergeant Applebee's colleagues said he would be missed both in the office and on the streets of Bundaberg helping to track down criminals.
"Bill's dedication to the job and to the community is always his first priority," Acting Inspector Cameron said.
"He's well-liked and well-respected by everyone here at the police station and he will be sadly missed."
