K9 Rizo – Charleston, South Carolina

Died – 3/13/25
Handler – Sgt. Anderson

Charleston County Sheriff’s Office announces death of beloved K-9 Rizo

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of a K-9 officer.K-9 Rizo joined the sheriff’s office in 2023, working with St. Matt Anderson, who rescued the four-legged officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department in 2021. “From that moment on, the bond between Rizo and Anderson was inseparable,” CCSO said.According to the sheriff’s office, K-9 Rizo excelled in criminal apprehension, tracking, searches, handler protection, and narcotics detection; however, they said his most remarkable feature was the joy he brought to local children during many school visits.“We’ve been to kindergarten and elementary schools with all these little kids loving on him,” Sgt. Anderson said. “And I think that’s why it was so important last night for it to be such a good night for him.”K-9 Rizo and members of the K-9 unit gathered at the North Charleston Coliseum on Wednesday evening to honor the retirement of Air Force K-9 Tito during a South Carolina Stingrays hockey game; however, the sheriff’s office said, unknowingly, it also marked a farewell to K-9 Rizo, adding that the people of the Lowcountry gave him a heartfelt send off by showering him with love.“One of the biggest things that Rizo did was he bolstered the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the community, and I think that’s how we’ll remember him the best,” said Sgt. Anderson.K-9 Rizo died peacefully Thursday morning. The unit came together again for a special ceremony for a final goodbye to their friend and teammate.“It was for us to say thank you to him, one last little thank you,” Sgt. Anderson said. “It just gives us a second to realize these dogs are what gets us home. These dogs are what protect the community.”The sheriff’s office said Rizo’s legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the community he helped protect. “In every call, every search, and every moment spent with his team, Rizo showed the true meaning of loyalty and service. His protection, love, and dedication will never be forgotten.”

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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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