To celebrate 50 years of distinguished service—from 1974 to 2024—the Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) K9 program recently unveiled its new memorial. Past and current handlers were invited to participate in the ceremony.

A simple but powerful design, the memorial was funded by the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 15. The bronze K9 statue sits in the overwatch position near the fallen deputy memorial. Its head is turned, focusing on the deputies’ names etched in stone, and its eyes and face show sadness, concern, and immense focus on protecting these human counterparts. At the base of the statue is a plaque reading, “Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office. Honoring all K9’s who have served our community since 1974. Forever faithful, loyal, and obedient.”

The memorial represents every handler and the part of themselves they gave to their K9 partners, the agency, fellow deputies, and their families to ensure the SCSO’s storied K9 program tradition will continue to thrive. Police K9s are said to be ambassadors of law enforcement to the community. This lifelike statue attracts attention from all citizens visiting the SCSO, demonstrating this ambassador role.

Today, the SCSO K9 program consists of nine K9 teams. These teams provide overwatch daily to ensure officers’ safety. Only a small fraction of officers are privileged enough to call themselves a K9 handler. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is extremely proud of its historical K9 program and thanks all past, current, and future K9s and handlers who serve the county’s citizens.