Holly MatkinMuncie, IN – Delaware County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) K9 Billy has died from an unspecified cause, his department announced on Tuesday.
The dual-purpose K9 was the DCSO’s only explosives detection K9, according to the department’s website.
K9 Billy served alongside his human partner, Delaware County Sheriff’s Corporal Dave Williams, for eight years, the DCSO said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
In 2016, the duo was photographed as they cleared a row of buses following a report of a possible bomb threat, the department reported at the time.
K9 Billy searched the vehicles and helped investigators conclude that there were not any hidden dangers.
“We take threats and public concern very seriously,” then-Sheriff Ray Dudley said. “Even though nothing was found, it’s still worth the time and effort even if just to restore peace-of-mind.”
Cpl. Williams and K9 Billy also posted videos online to educate the public about K9 training and how the department’s four-legged officers help to keep communities safe.
DCSO announced K9 Billy’s death in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of K9 Billy,” the post read. “K9 Billy served the citizens of Delaware County for 8 years, apprehended many criminals, and was utilized on many bomb call outs.”
K9 Billy’s prized possession was his tennis ball, and he carried it with him wherever he went.
He also enjoyed visiting the children in his community.
“Billy was always so patient with my students who had special needs at Muncie Central,” Jane Ayres Sulanke posted in response to another DCSO post. “They loved the calming activity of stroking his thick fur. RIP, Billy.”
K9 Billy’s death came as a blow to his department.
“Please keep the Sheriff’s Office, especially Cpl. Williams and his family, in your thoughts and prayers as we all deal with this huge loss,” the DCSO statement said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and Cpl. Williams in the loss of K9 Billy.