Paulding K-9 Officer Hondo Dies

DALLAS, GA — The Paulding County Sheriff's Office is mourning the passing of one of its own -- retired canine officer, Hondo.

Hondo, who was 14 years old, passed away in his sleep on Monday, July 25, the sheriff's office announced Tuesday.

He began his service with the sheriff's office in November 2003 and retired in July 2012. A dual-purpose K-9 officer, Hondo was trained in both patrol and narcotics detection.

His first handler, when he came to the United States from the Czech Republic in 2003, was current Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge.

"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," said Lt. Billy Hurst, the supervisor of Paulding's K-9 unit. "He will be sorely missed."

During his career, Hondo was responsible for numerous felony apprehensions and many narcotics seizures, the sheriff's office said.

"K-9 Hondo will be remembered for his relentless drive and his unwavering desire to find narcotics and 'bad guys'," a sheriff's office press release said.

Hondo was laid to rest behind the sheriff's office in the K-9 Memorial area, alongside fellow officers Basco, Rudi and Chico.

Photos courtesy Paulding County Sheriff's Office