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Died – 2/29/16
Osage County Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of K9 Joey
The Osage County Sheriff’s Office says they lost one of their own this week. K9 Joey was found unresponsive by his handler Monday morning, according to Sheriff Michael Dixon. Officials said Joey died from a problem with his spleen. Joey worked Thursday night and had off Friday. He noticed Joey began vomiting Saturday and all day Sunday. He took Joey to the vet, who requested to see Joey the following day for a follow up appointment. Deputy Boatman said he and his family cried and cried. He said he cried for about a half an hour before he called the sheriff to tell him Joey passed. Members of the sheriff’s office said Joey not only helped make hundreds of drug arrests, he also helped find missing people and fleeing suspects. Joey was seriously injured this past summer, the sheriff’s office was searching for a missing person in Bonnots Mill. Deputy Boatman said about 200 yards into the track, Joey may have lost track, so they decided to start over. On the way back, Officials said an aggressive dog suddenly came from behind, ready to attack Boatman. Joey threw himself in between the dog and his handler. The dog bit through Joey’s arm, tearing through an artery. First responders rushed Joey to emergency, life saving surgery. Although Joey survived the attack, in the following months, Deputy Boatman could tell his leg was much weaker. Joey was the Osage County Sheriff’s Office first K9 in more than twenty years. He served the community from the fall of 2011 up until last week. Services for Joey will be held Saturday at the Linn High School Field House. Visitation begins at 1 p.m., ceremony at 2 p.m. Joey will then be burried at the Apple Creek Farm Pet Cemetery in Centertown. Millard Funeral home donated all of the resources to make services possible. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office says its encouraging all law enforcement agencies and community members to attend.
