End-of-watch ceremony remembers two K-9 officers

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office held a
ceremony Monday morning to honor two K-9 officers who passed away recently, Argo and
Farrah.
Argo’s End-of Watch occurred on May 16th, 2023. Argo’s K-9 handler was First Sergeant Alan
Sayre, who is the supervisor of the Bravo Shift for the Uniform Patrol Bureau.
Farrah retired on May 8th, 2023. Farrah’s End-of-Watch occurred on July 15th, 2023. Farrah’s
handler was Corporal Brandon Meadows, who is assigned to the Pro-Active Criminal
Enforcement (P.A.C.E.) team with the Special Operations Bureau.
Speakers during Monday’s ceremony were Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw and Lt.
Tommy Crompton of the Special Operations Bureau, who oversees the Sheriff’s Office K-9
program. Sheriff Crenshaw and Lt. Crompton presented plaques to each handler that contained a
paw print of their respective K-9 officer. A video presentation for each K-9 officer was shown
as well.
Also during Monday’s ceremony, Honorary Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brock
Chappelear presented a check for $100.00 to Sheriff Crenshaw for the purchase of another K-9
officer.
“K-9 officers are law enforcement officers and when a K-9 officer passes, it affects our entire
agency,” says Sheriff Crenshaw. “K-9 officers are not only partners to their handlers, but they
are friends and family members who live with their handlers and become part of their families.
The time they spend together, and the bond that is created, is inseparable. I ask everyone to pray
for the First Sergeant Sayre and Corporal Meadows, and their families, during this time. We are
also grateful for the wonderful donation, by Honorary Deputy Chappelear, that will go towards
the purchase of a new K-9 officer. His donation was a great way to pay honor to the work that
K-9 officers Argo and Farrah did to help fight crime and keep Oconee County safe.”
Sheriff Crenshaw says that the work of law enforcement continues and the Sheriff’s Office, in
cooperation with the Oconee County (SC) Sheriff’s Foundation, will begin taking donations for
the purchase of a new K-9 officer.
If anyone is interested in making a donation, please mail the donation to the Oconee County (SC)
Sheriff’s Foundation, 415 S. Pine Street, Walhalla, SC, 29691. Please make checks payable to
the Oconee County (SC) Sheriff’s Foundation.