‘So long Meeko’: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office mourns death of retired K-9 officer Meeko

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ASHLAND , Ohio (WJW) — The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of its former K-9 officer Meeko, who had retired after her handler died unexpectedly in 2017.

Meeko became part of the force in June 2012, and was partnered with Sgt. Timothy Kitts, according to a Tuesday Facebook post by the sheriff’s office .

They both “received numerous awards” through the years, and specialized in drug interdiction.

“I mean, they were down on [state Route] 30; they would go out on Interstate 71. They made numerous traffic stops and they come up with drugs. Tim and Meeko were looking for the mother lode; that’s what they were doing, out there every day,” Ashland County’s then-chief deputy Carl Richert told FOX 8 News in 2017 .

Meeko was named the department’s K-9 Officer of the Year in 2016.

That year, Black River Middle School students raised money to buy the K-9 a new ballistic vest .

Kitts died unexpectedly on April 13, 2017, at his home. He was 51. He was survived by his wife and two sons, according to his obituary .

Meeko retired with Kitts’ family after her partner’s death. She died at 17.

“So long Meeko. Now go find Tim,” deputies wrote on Facebook.

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