K9 Appie passed on Sunday night at home surrounded by family and K9 team members. He was paired with handler Rutherford County Sheriff’s K9 Deputy Sarah Blair in March of 2019 and he served the RCSO Patrol Division as a dual purpose K9 until his retirement in 2024.
Appie and his handler were awarded Deputy of the Month in January of 2023 for his actions during an apprehension on Interstate 24. They were also presented a Life Saver’s Award for their actions in October of 2022 for a successful track where a suicidal man was located by K9 Appie.
K9 Appie was able to easily switch between serious police dog and community connector.
In addition to his many successful tracks, apprehensions and narcotics seizures, K9 Appie performed dozens of demonstrations for children’s groups. He loved getting to meet and be petted by children of all ages.
He loved his Kong toy, his partner and his best little girl. He was so loved in return by all who knew him.
In his retirement, K9 Appie was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy.
He was cared for as a pack member of Project K9 Hero, a non-profit whose purpose is to ensure the best quality of life for our nation’s retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs by providing assistance with medical costs, prescription food, rehabilitation, rehoming, and end-of-duty services.
Read his End of Watch here.
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