Crime & Safety
Cherokee Sheriff's Office K-9 Loses Battle With Cancer
Along with looking for suspects and explosives, Marco also provided protection to two U.S. presidents and one vice president.
CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of one of its formerĀ canines.
Marco, a 14-year-old Belgian Malinois who served nine and a half years as an explosive detection and patrol K-9 for the agency, died Tuesday with his handler, Sgt. Matthew Azaroff, by his side.
Marco had been retired from K-9 work for three years and was recently diagnosed with cancer, the sheriff's office said.
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In addition to looking for suspects, missing persons and explosives, Marco provided protection for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during his time with the Cherokee Sheriffās Office.
"Marco was an amazing dog and I witnessed him do many incredible things during our time together," Sgt. Azaroff said. "The incident that stands out most in my memory is when he located two small children in the woods that had been missing for over an hour."
Find out what's happening in Canton-Sixesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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Image via Cherokee Sheriff's Office
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