“Jake,” a K9 officer with the Alabama Department of Corrections, has died following a raid Thursday on Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County.
CBS 42 reported last week that Jake was recovering after having a medical emergency during a contraband raid at the prison. He reportedly came into contact with synthetic marijuana and became unresponsive. Medical personnel and his handler at the prison then heroically performed live-saving measures on the K9, who was expected to return to duty within a few weeks.
However, CBS 42′ Reshad Hudson reported on Monday that Jake died from complications following the initial incident.
UPDATE: Jake the K9 has died from complications after becoming ill during a contraband search operation at the Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County on Thursday, July 18. https://t.co/0bMvCSbPw5
— Reshad Hudson (@ReshadHudson) July 22, 2019
WSFA is reporting that Jake died on Saturday at Auburn University Veterinary Clinic.
“I was saddened to hear that one of the Corrections K9s, Jake, lost his life over the weekend,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “This K9 died in service to public safety and in service to the state. Jake is an example of the goodness, the loyalty and service that our four-legged friends provide. We certainly lost a loyal companion.”
A criminal investigation into Jake’s death is reportedly underway. More testing of the apparent synthetic marijuana is pending, according to ADOC. Officials told WSFA that anyone found to be responsible in Jake’s death will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Jake had worked with his handler, Sgt. Quinton Jones, since the K9 joined ADOC in 2014.
“This is a difficult time for our ADOC family and especially for Sgt. Jones and those assigned to our K9 Bureau who worked with Jake on a daily basis,” ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn told WSFA. “I extend our deepest condolences for the loss of this noble K9 who honorably served the State of Alabama and for ultimately giving his life while protecting the public.”
Dunn added that Jake likely saved lives by detecting the substance during the raid.
“With Jake’s training and ability to find the narcotic, he saved other lives by giving his own in the line-of-duty. Jake’s heroism and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he emphasized.
Jake will be given a burial with full honors this week, according to WSFA.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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