Friends, family and law enforcement officers from past and present came to salute Erik Sorenson at his retirement open house at the Princeton Police Department on Tuesday.

Sorenson is retiring after 27 years with the Princeton Police Department. He served 30 years in law enforcement, including three with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office.

Sorenson joined the Princeton Police Department on May 31, 1998 as a patrol officer. He was a member of the TRIDENT drug task force for almost two and a half years, working throughout Bureau, Putnam and LaSalle counties on significant drug cases.

He is best known for being a K9 handler, partnering with Dax (2001-08), Renda (2013-20) and Gus (2020-25). He conducted numerous K9 demonstrations for community groups, National Night Out and area schools.

His K9 partner, Gus, is also retiring and will remain with Sorenson as they begin their new adventures together.