By Vanessa Remmers
The Progress-Index
DINWIDDIE, Va. — Deputies are mourning the loss of one of their K-9 deputies.
K-9 Deputy Maco was hit by a car last week during a training exercise with his handler, Deputy Brock Tomlin.
The German Shepherd-Belgium Malinois began chasing deer near Five Forks Battlefield where the exercise was taking place, eventually running onto Courthouse Road, deputies said.
Maco joined Dinwiddie’s K-9 team in July 2012, specializing in drug and narcotics detection, tracking and article location.
Maco went with Tomlin wherever he went and served as a great back-up, officials said. The dog had the ability to unlock the patrol car door if he saw his handler in trouble, or give deputies probable cause to search a car if he detected any type of drugs during a traffic stop.
“Hardly a day went by that Maco didn’t find drugs,” Maj. William Knott said in a press release.
Maco was born in the Czech Republic in July 2011. He received formal K-9 officer training through Bullock’s K-9 Kennels in Greenville, N.C.
Once Tomlin was assigned to Maco in March, both K-9 deputy and handler traveled back to the kennel for additional training. The two were very close, sheriff officials said.
In a release, Sheriff D.T. “Duck” Adams said Maco was an exemplary K-9 officer and the department is deeply saddened that their comrade is no longer with them.
J.T. Morriss & Son provided free cremation services for Maco. His remains were given to Tomlin. The Sheriff’s Office is planning for a memorial service.
Maco was one of two K-9 deputies. The Sheriff’s Office also has a bloodhound used primarily for tracking.
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