‘So long Meeko’: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office mourns death of retired K-9 officer Meeko

[Watch in the player above: The most commonly reported crimes in the U.S.]

ASHLAND, Ohio (WJW) — The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of its former K-9 officer Meeko, who had retired after her handler died unexpectedly in 2017.

Meeko became part of the force in June 2012, and was partnered with Sgt. Timothy Kitts, according to a Tuesday Facebook post by the sheriff’s office.

They both “received numerous awards” through the years, and specialized in drug interdiction.

Driver charged with killing NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level

“I mean, they were down on [state Route] 30; they would go out on Interstate 71. They made numerous traffic stops and they come up with drugs. Tim and Meeko were looking for the mother lode; that’s what they were doing, out there every day,” Ashland County’s then-chief deputy Carl Richert told FOX 8 News in 2017.

Meeko was named the department’s K-9 Officer of the Year in 2016.

That year, Black River Middle School students raised money to buy the K-9 a new ballistic vest.

Aiden Clark’s father said he doesn’t want his son’s death to be used for political gain

Kitts died unexpectedly on April 13, 2017, at his home. He was 51. He was survived by his wife and two sons, according to his obituary.

Meeko retired with Kitts’ family after her partner’s death. She died at 17.

“So long Meeko. Now go find Tim,” deputies wrote on Facebook.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.