S.C. K-9 dies from heat-related illness in training

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office said Sam “was a trusted teammate and protector” and that “his loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him”

July 11, 2025 12:54 PM

By Chris Trainor
The State

LEXINGTON COUNTU, S.C. — A Lexington County Sheriff’s Department K-9 deputy has died following a training exercise.

The department shared in a Friday morning social media post that K-9 Sam, a two-year-old Belgian malinois, “died this week from an apparent heat-related illness following a medical emergency during a training session.”

Sam had entered service with the sheriff’s department earlier this year, according to the department. The department said Sam “was a trusted teammate and protector” and that “his loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.”

The sheriff’s department said Sam’s handler, Deputy McKenzie Saunders, rushed the dog to the veterinarian as soon as he noticed it was in distress after training.

The department is evaluating its K-9 training program after the incident, Friday’s social media post said.

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