Nearly six years after retiring from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, K-9 Chico passed away this week in his sleep. He was 15.
Chico, a Belgian Malinois, retired in September 2009 after more than seven years of service and was trained in patrol and narcotics detection, Cpl. Ashley Henson said Friday. During his career, Chico helped apprehend more than 30 fleeing felons and seize hundreds of pounds of drugs.
When he began tiring easily and had difficulty climbing in and out of the patrol car, Chico retired. But he remained a favorite among deputies due to his unwavering desire to get drugs and “bad guys” off the street, Henson said. On Wednesday, Chico died.
“Although he has been retired for such a long time, the loss of my partner has resurfaced many memories that I thought I had forgotten,” Sgt. Billy Hurst said in an emailed statement. “’Knuckle-head’ as he was sometimes affectionately known, will be sorely missed.”
Chico will be buried behind the Sheriff’s Office in the K-9 memorial area where K-9 Basco and K-9 Rudi are also buried.
About the Author
