February 27, 2024, was a difficult day for the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office as we said our final farewells to K9 Ziva. This morning, she and her handler were met by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Honor Guard and other members of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office who wished to say goodbye to K9 Ziva one last time. A ceremony was held at the Sheriff’s Office to celebrate her life, work, and accomplishments. Following the ceremony, she and her handler were escorted to her Vet.
K9 Ziva had been diagnosed with infiltrative lipoma the first week in February following tests on visible masses that had recently developed. These tumors are considered benign however these masses are aggressive, and already attaching themselves to fatty tissue and bone. The area where the tumors are externally located would require not only for them to be removed but also for slow and methodical radiation and chemotherapy to be used to rid the entire area. This treatment would be very costly and according to her Vet, K9 Ziva would go through a myriad of complications and setbacks physically. Even with that method of treatment, we were informed the percentages of full success are very low. Based on this diagnosis following discussions with her vet, several meetings with administration, and several days and nights of thinking about what is best for K9 Ziva, it was decided to lay K9 Ziva to rest.
K9 Ziva was a dual-purpose canine trained in narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, and apprehension. She graduated from High Point Canine Solutions LLC of High Point, NC, and became a member of the Sheriff’s Office in November of 2020, assigned to her handler Det. Shawver.
K9 Ziva has been an invaluable asset to the Randolph County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of this county. She has been the direct result of multiple arrests ranging from narcotic arrests to the successful apprehension of wanted and fugitive persons. K9 Ziva was a vital part of a large-scale drug seizure where K9 Ziva detected 22 kilos of cocaine with a street value of $480,000. K9 Ziva aided assorted Federal agencies in apprehending fugitives of justice. K9 Ziva was the top-tracking K9 in the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office canine unit for the year 2022.
Her accomplishments will not be forgotten, and her handler will cherish the time they had together forever.
K9 Ziva, we truly appreciate your service and dedication to the citizens of this county. Rest in peace! We will take it from here.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of K9 Ziva, contact Justin LaBarre with Total Recall K9 Training and Randolph Christian Men at https://www.totalrecallk9.com/
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Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Video of today’s event: https://youtu.be/vDtwnEOjH-o
