Beloved K-9 deputy 'Champ' dies

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The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office lost one of its beloved deputies, K-9 Deputy “Champ” on Thursday, December 1. 

Deputy Champ had been medically retired since October 2011.  He was gifted to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office by former Pepperell Middle School teacher Marilynn Etheridge.  Mrs. Etheridge donated Champ in honor of her husband after his passing from cancer in 2005.

Champ, who had been the Etheridge’s family pet, was initially trained at the Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Center, Inc.  Over the course of his career Deputy Champ received several certifications:  Alacanine, National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, Law Enforcement Training System, and North American Police Working Dog Association.  Champ’s service numbers are incredible.  He had over 13,000 community contacts in his first year of service and a career average of more than 200 demonstrations annually

The Sheriff’s Office will honor the service of the K-9 Deputy by retiring his call number. 

Please keep our K-9 Handler and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.