ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced that one of its K9s passed away after more than 9 years of service.
Officials said K9 Patriot, a Yellow Labrador Retriever, served in narcotics detection, tracking and evidence alongside his handler Deputy Doug Kowieski.
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Patriot started as a K9 Apprentice at eight weeks old with Kowieski in 2014 and passed away on Sept. 17, a few days before they planned to retire together.
Patriot and Kowieski were assigned to the SJSO Youth Services Unit and were deployed to more than 400 service calls and assisted in over 100 arrests.
Patriot was known to be “gentle and playful” and would go “paw to paw” with his apprehension K9 brothers and sisters during his training days.
SJSO said Patriot had two ACL surgeries and survived two cancer surgeries before he died.
"K9 Patriot spent his life protecting and serving the students, faculty, and staff at our schools, and the citizens of St. Johns County. He was a special member of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office family, and his hard work and dedication will always be remembered. Please keep Deputy Kowieski and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time,” Sheriff Hardwick said.
SJSO is asking people to complete Patriot’s coloring sheet which will be given to Kowieski and his family.
People can drop off the completed sheet at any SJSO field office, or email media@sjso.org.
Click here to access the sheet.