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Died – 10/21/15
Handler – Cpl. Brandon Surratt
Search on for carjacking suspects after K-9 shot, killed
Anderson County deputies are searching for two people after a K-9 was shot and killed following a carjacking, according to Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper. Sheriff John Skipper said the carjacking happened at the Dollar General parking lot in Townville. He said an officer spotted the stolen car on Highway 24 and approached the car. Skipper said one of the people was acting erratically and a K-9 named Hyco approached him. He said the suspect shot Hyco. Skipper said the Hyco was taken to a Magnolia Veterinary Clinic where he was pronounced died. According to Skipper, Hyco was in service for six years and one of the most experienced K-9s on the force. Skipper said one suspect is in custody, and officers are searching for two others in the woods off Highway 24. This is near New Prospect Elementary School. Kyle Newton with Anderson County School District 5 said parents were allowed to pick students up at New Prospect Elementary School. Newton said there was a heavy police presence at the school to assist with releasing the students. Buses ran, but were be delayed. Lakeside Middle School was locked down but students were released after officials finished releasing students at New Prospect Elementary, Newton said. Temple Baptist Church School is also on lockdown. Hyco and his partner, Cpl. Brandon Surratt, along with another ACSO K-9 completed the ASPCA’s level 3 certification in 2012 that recognized them as among the top certified units in the country. The certification qualified Hyco and his partner for tracking, narcotics detection, building searches, article searches, aggression control and obedience. In May 2014, Hyco was attacked by a suspect who was trying to evade arrest by hiding in an air conditioning duct. Deputies said Russ Grant, 34, was hiding in a home on Centerville Road. When Hyco located Grant in the duct, he punched and kicked the dog, wrapped his legs around the dog’s lower body and tried to choke him, deputies said. Hyco and Surratt fought back until Grant released the dog and other officers helped to pull Grant from the duct. Grant was charged with operating a chop shop, resisting arrest and attempting to kill of police dog. Surratt and Hyco were awarded the 2012 American Police Canine Association President’s Award for Professional Excellence.
