Died 1/26/22
1ST Handler – Sgt. Simon Sarkis
2nd Handler – Deputy Miller
Merced County Sheriff’s K-9 ‘Edo’ dies after year-long illness, says department
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office has reported that K-9 Officer Edo, who worked for the department for eight years, died on Wednesday. The 9-year-old German Shepherd was put down after a year-long illness, and was in the presence of his handler, Deputy Tom Miller, when he died, according to a news release. Edo started working for the department in January 2014, and was originally assigned to Sgt. Simon Sarkis. The dog then started working with Deputy Miller four years ago after Sarkis was promoted to his current rank and was no longer able to continue in his role as a K-9 handler. “The family has taken it pretty hard,” Daryl Allen, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said. “It wasn’t just his best friend, it was also his son’s best friend. It’s like losing a partner, and that’s exactly what it is. You’re losing a partner and a family friend.” The Sheriff’s Office praised K-9 Edo for his work on the patrol and SWAT teams. Edo was SKIDDS-trained, meaning the dog went to SWAT & K-9 Interacting During Deployment School, which trains K-9 officers how to do drug detection and tactical operations training. “Edo was an outstanding K-9 and was successful because of the dedication and passion shown by his assigned handlers,” the sheriff’s announcement said. “K-9 Edo will be missed by the agency and the Merced community.”