Former Cherokee Sheriff's Office K-9 Passes Away

Staff Report

A former K-9 that served with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for over seven years died on Monday, the agency said Tuesday morning.

K-9 Rico was assigned to Corporal Darin Downey from August 2005 until Rico was retired in November 2012.

Rico is credited with assisting in multiple felony narcotics investigations, capturing numerous felons and participated in hundreds of demonstrations for children and adults, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker said.

After being retired from the agency, Rico, who developed cancer, lived with Corporal Downey and his family until his death.

“Rico gave his heart and soul to this agency and this community,” Corporal Downey said. “He enjoyed all the school visits and the little hands that touched him and told him ’good boy’.”

(Photo: Rico, a former K-9 who served with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for over seven years, passed away on Monday after a battle with cancer. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office)