K9 C-ZR

K-9 C-zr started his career with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office in 2001 with Deputy Rich Michaux and worked patrol until March 2005 when Deputy Michaux changed positions within the agency.

At that time I put in for K-9 handler and was selected to receive C-ZR. From the moment I got him in March 2005 I knew this dog was going to be my best friend and the best partner I could ask for. C-ZR and I completed patrol school with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for FDLE certification, then Explosives Detection School certifying by the USPCA. C-ZR also completed ATF's NORT Explosive K-9 certification. July 2005 C-ZR and I were assigned to patrol Alpha-shift.

C-ZR's accomplishments in his career include:

. 30 September 2005 we responded to Deep Creek to assist with the location of an escaped homicide suspect who rammed another deputy's vehicle and jumped over the bridge heading towards a swamp. C-ZR tracked the suspect to the creek bank and when the suspect attempted to swim away, C-ZR entered the water and engaged the suspect. The suspect then attempted to drown C-ZR but he refused to disengage making it possible for the suspect to be taken into custody. C-ZR received the Meritorious Service Award.
. 15 June 2006 we responded to 1129 Ponte Vedra Blvd. where a deputy performing a routine patrol rolled up on a burglary in progress causing the suspects to flee on foot. C-ZR was able to track one of the suspects to a wooded area where he engaged the suspect taking him into custody. C-ZR received the Meritorious Service Award.
. 6 October 2006 we responded to a report of an aggravated Domestic Violence call where the suspect was reportedly armed with a handgun and fled the residence on foot after shooting his wife. C-ZR gained a track leading us to a nearby shed. The suspect was hiding underneath and refused to comply with commands at which time C-ZR engaged the suspect bringing him out to us to be secured - and the weapon was located. C-ZR received the Meritorious Service Award.

C-ZR was an excellent work dog and I couldn't have asked for a better partner to work with and protect my life day in and day out. In February of 2006 C-ZR was diagnosed with a tear in his colon. An intense surgery was performed and C-ZR was back to work in April. But in March of 2007 C-ZR began to show the same symptoms a second time. He was re-examined by a Vet and it was determined that the surgery failed - the tear was still there placing his life in danger. C-ZR was immediately rushed to Shands Vet Hospital in Gainsville, FL where he received excellent care (there is great respect for police working dogs at the hospital) - but it was decided that C-ZR would have to retire and live through medication.

March 3, 2007 C-ZR began retired life of lying around and sitting at the window whining when I would leave for work without him. Slowly the medication was no longer helping C-ZR, giving him good days and bad days and a lot of time with no energy. On the night of July 10, 2007 the pain progressed and as the night continued, the medication was no longer having any effect on him. I lost my best friend, my partner that night. C-ZR was telling me he was now living in pain... I did not want that to happen... C-ZR did not have to live in pain after the life he gave to deputy Michaux, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, and to me. All C-ZR ever wanted was to go to work and catch bad guys or sniff for explosives. On the Morning of July 11, 2007 at 0957hrs C-ZR was humanely euthanized at 9 years old where he now lives pain-free protecting others in his youthful life. That was the morning I lost a piece of my heart. I didn't just lose a partner - I lost a friend and a family member.

C-ZR will be missed not only by me but my family and my co-workers. He was a hard-charging work dog.

St. Johns K9 5017, St. Johns K9 5017, St. Johns all Units K9 5017 is 10-7 July 11, 2007 at 0957hrs. God Speed and thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this agency.

Deputy Joshua Underwood
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office