K9 Legion – Charleston, South Carolina

Handler – Master Mariner Meyer

Retired Charleston County Sheriff’s Office K-9 passes away at 12 years old

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday the death of one of the agency’s retired K9’s. Retired narcotics detection K9 Legion died overnight at a Summerville veterinary clinic, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.Legion, who was 12 years old, was partnered with Master Mariner Kevin Meyer, serving honorably for 10 years before retiring in the spring of 2023. The K-9 was assigned to the Marine Patrol Unit, and tasked with Port Terminal searches, mail searches at the Detention Center, and assisted Customs and Border Protection.Legion also frequently did demonstrations at local schools and businesses, the sheriff’s office said.Master Mariner Jeremy Kraus, who worked with Legion, spoke highly of the dog’s historically long career.Since I was assigned to Marine Patrol, I was partnered with Master Mariner Meyer, and therefore Legion as well. Legion was a rather small black lab but had the biggest heart of any dog. He was unbelievably friendly and a super hard worker. He is credited with an innumerable number of detections over his historically long K9 career. To watch Legion and Meyer do their detection work was an impressive site to see. Legion didn’t have a mean bone in his body and warmed to anyone immediately. However, I think he liked me best because I maybe gave him Ritz crackers when Kevin wasn’t looking! Legion loved riding on the boats and was notorious for somehow being able to catch naps even in the roughest of waters. All of us at Marine Patrol are feeling for Master Mariner Meyer during this time, and we will all miss Legion being under our legs and sitting on our feet. Master Mariner Meyer’s family will hold a private memorial for Legion who spent the rest of his days with their family after retirement.The sheriff’s office concluded their Facebook post honoring Legion with the following: Legion’s command for ending his detection work and assignment was ‘Break!’ So, for one final time, from Master Mariner Meyer to K9 Legion, ‘Legion, Break!’

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Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.
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