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Handler – Master Mariner Meyer
Retired Charleston County Sheriff’s Office K-9 passes away at 12 years old
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday the death of one of the agency’s retired K9’s. Retired narcotics detection K9 Legion died overnight at a Summerville veterinary clinic, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.Legion, who was 12 years old, was partnered with Master Mariner Kevin Meyer, serving honorably for 10 years before retiring in the spring of 2023. The K-9 was assigned to the Marine Patrol Unit, and tasked with Port Terminal searches, mail searches at the Detention Center, and assisted Customs and Border Protection.Legion also frequently did demonstrations at local schools and businesses, the sheriff’s office said.Master Mariner Jeremy Kraus, who worked with Legion, spoke highly of the dog’s historically long career.Since I was assigned to Marine Patrol, I was partnered with Master Mariner Meyer, and therefore Legion as well. Legion was a rather small black lab but had the biggest heart of any dog. He was unbelievably friendly and a super hard worker. He is credited with an innumerable number of detections over his historically long K9 career. To watch Legion and Meyer do their detection work was an impressive site to see. Legion didn’t have a mean bone in his body and warmed to anyone immediately. However, I think he liked me best because I maybe gave him Ritz crackers when Kevin wasn’t looking! Legion loved riding on the boats and was notorious for somehow being able to catch naps even in the roughest of waters. All of us at Marine Patrol are feeling for Master Mariner Meyer during this time, and we will all miss Legion being under our legs and sitting on our feet. Master Mariner Meyer’s family will hold a private memorial for Legion who spent the rest of his days with their family after retirement.The sheriff’s office concluded their Facebook post honoring Legion with the following: Legion’s command for ending his detection work and assignment was ‘Break!’ So, for one final time, from Master Mariner Meyer to K9 Legion, ‘Legion, Break!’
