The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office mourns the loss of K-9 Hondo who passed away on Monday July 25, 2016. K-9 Hondo, who was 14 years old, began his service with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office in November 2003 and retired in July 2012. K-9 Hondo was a dual purpose law enforcement canine who was trained in patrol and narcotics detection. Although K-9 Hondo had been retired for over four years, he was beloved by many at the Sheriff’s Office.
Throughout the course of his career, K-9 Hondo was responsible for numerous felony apprehensions and many narcotics seizures. K-9 Hondo will be remembered for his relentless drive and his unwavering desire to find narcotics and “bad guys”. Lieutenant Billy Hurst, who is the K-9 Unit supervisor stated, “Although he has been retired for such a long time, the loss of K-9 Hondo has resurfaced many memories that I thought I had forgotten, he will be sorely missed”. Sheriff Gary Gulledge was K-9 Hondo’s first handler when he came to the United States from the Czech Republic in 2003. Once Sheriff Gulledge got elected in 2008, K-9 Hondo went to another handler. Toward the end of his life, K-9 Hondo’s health rapidly declined and he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was laid to rest behind the Sheriff’s Office in the K-9 Memorial area where K-9 Basco, K-9 Rudi, and K-9 Chico are also buried.
Please keep the Sheriff’s Office and the law enforcement K-9 community in your prayers during this difficult time.