K9 Archer

K9 Archer

Madison County Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Friday, July 5, 2024

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Archer

K9 Archer succumbed to heatstroke after tracking a felon who fled from deputies after a traffic stop on July 4, 2024.

A deputy initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 10 for speeding, but the suspect did not stop. The suspect left the interstate and then crashed his vehicle into a yard on SW Sampala Lake Road in Madison. When the suspect fled on foot, K9 Archer and his handler tracked the suspect to a field. 15 minutes after switching out on the track with another K9, K9 Archer began showing signs of distress. He was transported to Madison Veterinary Clinic for stabilization before receiving treatment at the Allied Veterinary Hospital in Tallahassee. K9 Archer's condition improved, and he was taken to UF Shands Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville. On July 5, his condition worsened, and he passed away.

Temperatures on July 4, 2024, were in the mid-90s, with a heat advisory in effect.

The suspect was apprehended and has been charged with contributing to the death of K9 Archer, as well as three drug charges and a charge of fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer at high speed.

K9 Archer had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for six years.

Bio

  • Breed German Shepherd
  • Gender Male
  • Age 7
  • Tour 6 years

Incident Details

  • Cause Heatstroke
  • Incident Date Thursday, July 4, 2024
  • Offender In custody

tracking, convicted felon, weather

Most Recent Reflection

View all 12 Reflections

The First & The Last

The first to sense the hostility of a suspect,
The first to react to protect his master,
The first to enter where danger lurks,
The first to detect the hidden intruder.
The first to take action against violence.
The first to sense his master’s joy.
The first to know his master’s sorrow or fear.
The first to give his life in defense of his master.
The last to be forgotten by those who work with others like him.
They know him as a “Partner”, not just an animal.

- Author unknown -

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 10, 2024

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