Griffin Police dog found dead in Lamar County
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Yager, left, and Jimi, a K9 with the Griffin Police Department, were both reported missing Tuesday by Cpl. Chad Moxon. Both dogs were located Wednesday afternoon. Yager is alive, but Jimi’s body was found with a gunshot to the abdomen. Their disappearance and Jimi’s death are under investigation by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office.
“He (Jimi) was reported missing on Tuesday. Our deputies responded at 12:59 (p.m.),” said Capt. Lara Clark, public information officer for the LCSO. “The handler left his house that morning at approximately 10:30. When he left, both his shepherds were in their pen. When he returned home that evening at approximately 9:30, they were gone.”
Authorities say Jimi’s body was recovered in Lamar County with an apparent gunshot wound Wednesday in a ditch on Rock Quarry Road near the Monroe County line.
“They both (Jimi and Yager) were recovered around noon. Jimi had been shot in the side — in his abdomen,” Clark said. “Even though (Jimi) was off duty at the time, he was still an official police officer,”
Yager was found alive.
Because this is an ongoing investigation, officials are not releasing specific information, but Clark said there are no suspects at this time and no charges are pending.
She added that Moxon and his family are offering a $1,000 reward and the Atlanta Humane Society is offering $5,000, funded by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Fund, for valid information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Jimi’s death.
“We are asking anyone who knows anything about this to call the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office at 770-358-5159. If they want to make an anonymous tip, they can also call the tip line at 770-358-8881, but it doesn’t have to be anonymous. We want everyone to be aware of the reward that’s being offered,” Clark said.
I just want to say that our family (including our K9) send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Regardless of it is trained PD K9 or just an everyday K9, a dog is more than a pet; it is a part of the family, just needs more haircuts. :) Thoughts and prayers for a well recovery to Yager, as well.
Seriously, I hope, and I am sure they will, find out who this person(s) is that did this crime on what is truly an officer of the law. I am so thankful that when one inflicts harm on a K9 Officer, that it is treated and charged as if it were human.
Although, I no longer in Griffin, I grew up there for a number of years and visit as often we can. So, the fact of that as well as respect for police officers and love for dogs, I hope that if someone knows who is in charge of this crime, that you please notify the proper people so that it doesn't continue. Not for the money, per say, but as I mentioned earlier, it is an officer, but most importantly, it is a member of a family. Thank you.
My only question is to GPD. Why isn't the PD adding to the reward? After all, it is an employee that more than likely was "paid for" to them either by "their" funding or state, or however K9s are provided to PDs.