Died 8/7/20
Handler – Lt. Alex Gaston
It is with a heavy heart, that we announce the passing of retired GCSO K-9 “Midnight”. K-9 “Midnight” passed quietly in his sleep at the residence of his long time partner Lt. Alex Gaston and his son Toby Gaston. K-9 “Midnight” was 14 years of age. Midnight started his career at the Gilchrist County Sheriffs Office in 2012 and partnered with Lt. Alex Gaston till the time of K-9 “Midnights” retirement in 2019. K-9 “Midnight” was a registered German Shepherd and had direct breeding lines to Czechoslovakia. K-9 “Midnight” was one of, if not the first K-9 trained to be a full patrol dog for the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. He was trained and proficient in tracking, narcotics detection and fugitive apprehension. K-9 “Midnight” also provided multiple demonstrations at the local schools and other civic events throughout his career. One of K-9 “Midnights” signature command and audience favorites was to play dead when his partner pointed his finger at him and said “Bang”. Upon hearing the news of K-9 “Midnights” passing, Sheriff Bobby Schultz gave the following statement: “K-9 “Midnight” was instrumental in our on going mission to rid our county of dangerous narcotics. K-9 “Midnight” assisted in numerous arrests and asset forfeitures in our county and struck fear in all those individuals who tried to pedal their poison in our communities. The men and women of the Gilchrist County Sheriffs Office and the citizens of our great county owe a great deal of gratitude to K-9 “Midnight” for his service and our condolences go out to Lt. Gaston and his family as they mourn the loss of this great K-9 hero.”