Retired Benton County K-9 dies after 7 years of service

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A K-9 officer from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) passed away on July 12 at 12 years old.

Kilo was partnered to Detective Ralph Bartley for seven years, during which they rode approximately 200,000 miles together. The BCSO remembers Kilo as “an exceptional deputy” in a Facebook post on July 13 .

The two met in March 2013 in Huntsville, Alabama, according to a written statement from Bartley.

“Some of the guys nicknamed him ‘Squirrel’ because he was easily distracted by flowers or anything else,” Bartley said. “We graduated and hit the streets together, learning how to be cops.”

Kilo boasted the highest number of physical apprehensions among all dogs in BCSO, according to the post.

“If Kilo was on the ground, there was a good chance the suspect would be found,” Bartley said. “To Kilo, it was all just a game.”

The Department of Justice honored Kilo with an award for his role in a federal operation. When he was not in the field, he was conducting K-9 demos with the community.

“He could be biting a bad guy one minute and letting a kid pet him the next,” Bartley said. “Kilo loved the kids, and they loved him.”

Upon Kilo’s retirement, he initially struggled to adjust. He scattered trash around the apartment and even devoured an entire batch of brownies. Eventually, Kilo settled in and enjoyed the newfound attention, according to Bartley.

“He had my back, and I had his,” Bartley said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner or best friend. Until we meet again, Kilo, I will always love you. Rest easy, we have the watch from here.”

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