SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office gathered on Tuesday to say their final goodbyes to K-9 Mac.
He had been diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer.
According to CCSO, before he was a deputy, K-9 Mac served in the U.S. Army as an MPC multi-purpose canine for the 3rd Batallion 75th Ranger Regiment.
He was deployed multiple times to Afghanistan.
The sheriff’s office held an End of Watch ceremony Tuesday morning to honor the K-9’s service to our country and celebrate the special bond between him and his handler Sgt. Javier Valdes.
“Sgt. Valdes was very grateful that he was able to take K-9 Mac home with him and spend the last couple of days with him,” said Chief Deputy Gary Taylor. “You saw him yourself — he’s devastated and today won’t be any easier for him because they do, they become a member of your family, because they go home with your families.”
Taylor said Valdes will take time with his family to grieve the loss of K-9 Mac and will receive a new K-9 companion when he is ready.