Died \u2013 3\/13\/25
\nHandler – Sgt. Anderson<\/p>\n
Charleston County Sheriff\u2019s Office announces death of beloved K-9 Rizo<\/p>\n
The Charleston County Sheriff\u2019s Office announced the death of a K-9 officer.K-9 Rizo joined the sheriff\u2019s office in 2023, working with St. Matt Anderson, who rescued the four-legged officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department in 2021. \u201cFrom that moment on, the bond between Rizo and Anderson was inseparable,\u201d CCSO said.According to the sheriff\u2019s office, K-9 Rizo excelled in criminal apprehension, tracking, searches, handler protection, and narcotics detection; however, they said his most remarkable feature was the joy he brought to local children during many school visits.\u201cWe\u2019ve been to kindergarten and elementary schools with all these little kids loving on him,\u201d Sgt. Anderson said. \u201cAnd I think that\u2019s why it was so important last night for it to be such a good night for him.\u201dK-9 Rizo and members of the K-9 unit gathered at the North Charleston Coliseum on Wednesday evening to honor the retirement of Air Force K-9 Tito during a South Carolina Stingrays hockey game; however, the sheriff\u2019s office said, unknowingly, it also marked a farewell to K-9 Rizo, adding that the people of the Lowcountry gave him a heartfelt send off by showering him with love.\u201cOne of the biggest things that Rizo did was he bolstered the relationship between the Sheriff\u2019s Office and the community, and I think that\u2019s how we\u2019ll remember him the best,\u201d said Sgt. Anderson.K-9 Rizo died peacefully Thursday morning. The unit came together again for a special ceremony for a final goodbye to their friend and teammate.\u201cIt was for us to say thank you to him, one last little thank you,\u201d Sgt. Anderson said. \u201cIt just gives us a second to realize these dogs are what gets us home. These dogs are what protect the community.\u201dThe sheriff\u2019s office said Rizo\u2019s legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the community he helped protect. \u201cIn every call, every search, and every moment spent with his team, Rizo showed the true meaning of loyalty and service. His protection, love, and dedication will never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Died \u2013 3\/13\/25 Handler – Sgt. Anderson Charleston County Sheriff\u2019s Office announces death of beloved K-9 Rizo The Charleston County Sheriff\u2019s Office announced the death of a K-9 officer.K-9 Rizo joined the sheriff\u2019s office in 2023, working with St. Matt Anderson, who rescued the four-legged officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department in 2021. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[53],"class_list":["post-17647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-k9memorial","tag-sc"],"yoast_head":"\n