A lifesaving K-9 officer is being remembered after his weekend passing. K-9 Ben, who retired in 2014, passed away from medical complications, with his partner, retired deputy Cole Bunyard at his side. K9 Ben is credited with saving the life of his human partner after Deputy Bunyard was violently attacked without warning during a traffic stop in Gerlach December 17, 2011. As a result of Ben’s heroic effort, both K9 Ben and Deputy Bunyard received a “Survivor Award” from the James D. Hoff Police Memorial.  K9 Ben was responsible for numerous apprehensions and arrests as well as the removal of a countless amount of illegal narcotics from the streets of Washoe County