Sheriff’s Office K9 passes away

With great sadness, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office announces the death this week of K9 Officer JAK. The Belgian Malinois encountered health issues and pain and was, according to Sheriff Crenshaw’s announcement, “was gently allowed to cross over that bridge on Monday, February 4, 2019.” He served seven years with handler Corp. Roy McKenzie and started his law enforcement career with the Chapin, South Carolina police department. JAK was trained to locate and apprehend fleeing or resistant suspects and find and recover items of evidentiary value. At school career days, he was often seen inter-acting with students. JAK was a force to be reckoned with. He was the only K9 in the history of the Sheriff’s Office to successfully figure a way to get out of his kennel. After unlocking the kennel by unknown means, he was found 27 hours later.