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Died – 5/10/16
Handler – Sgt. Matthew Azaroff
Sheriff’s office loses K9 Marco
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of a beloved patrol canine that worked with the agency nine and a half years. K-9 Marco, who retired from the department three years ago to go live with his handler, lost his battle with cancer Tuesday with his friend and partner Sgt. Matthew Azaroff by his side, the sheriff’s office confirmed Wednesday. The 14-year-old Belgian Malinois served nine and a half years with the department as an explosive detection and patrol K-9, Lt. Jay Baker said. Azaroff, who’s worked for the sheriff’s office 17 and a half years, describes his dog as strong and dedicated. He says he and Marco spent the last 13 years learning from each other. The two got to know each other well over the years, working together from May 2003 until Marco was retired. Azaroff recalled the first time the two met. He had been with the agency four and a half years when he traveled to Florida to complete his initial K-9 training and pick up Marco when the police dog was just 14 months old.When Marco retired after showing signs of arthritis, the Malinois went back to Azaroff’s home to live out the rest of his days with his handler and family. “You never know what these dogs are capable of until you spend nine and a half years—86 hours every two weeks with them,” said Azaroff, who added that Marco was exceptional and about as close to perfect as a dog could get. “I could cut him loose in a room filled with 400 children and he’d go pick a kid and lay in their lap,” Azaroff remembered. “And then 10 minutes later we could go out and find a bad guy.”Azaroff said Marco was tremendous at bridging the gap between law enforcement officers and the community, saying 18- and 19-year-olds would approach the duo to discuss memories they had of meeting Marco back in grade school. “Nine and a half years is a really long time for a dog to work,” Azaroff said. “Marco was an amazing dog and I witnessed him do many incredible things during our time together.” Baker says the department has five K-9 units that serve many different functions, calling them vital to the agency. “Often we utilize our K-9s to clear buildings of suspects or potential explosives,” Baker said. “The drug task force will often call on them to assist with drug search warrants. Obviously most people love dogs and because of that we often use them to reach [out to] children and the public.” Azaroff said the support he’s received from the community and the sheriff’s office has really blown him away.
