CANTON, Ill. -Canton Police are mourning the loss of one of their own — a K9 officer who both worked hard and was beloved.
Canton Police say K-9 officer Jack passed away May 9th, about six years after he was retired from the force.
In a social media post, his former handler, Lieutenant Ryan Demott, says Jack had what was described as a sudden, untreatable condition, having a large amount of fluid in his chest that all but rendered his lungs useless.
Jack started with Canton Police in 2009, retiring in 2016. He was described as “well-respected,” and used in various investigations throughout Central Illinois. Demott says he always felt safe with Jack.
Jack was a month shy of his 14th birthday.
Below is the full statement from Canton Police:
K9 Jack Obituary
May 9, 2022
“It is with a very heavy heart that I announce the passing of Retired Canton Police Department K9 Jack. K9 Jack went on to a better place on May 9, 2022, at the Oakdale Veterinary Center in Canton. K9 Jack was surrounded by his family and Dr. Amanda Flessner, his amazing, long-time Veterinarian. K9 Jack had been diagnosed with a sudden, untreatable condition causing a large amount of fluid in his chest rendering his lungs unable to function as they should.” – Canton Police Lt. Ryan Demott, K9 Jack’s former handler.
K9 Jack was just a month away from his 14th birthday. He began his journey as a Canton Police K9 in August 2009, when he was selected from Vohn Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. K9 Jack, originally born in Hungary, was the first Belgian Malinois to hold the position of a Canton Police K9. K9 Jack completed his 10-week basic K9 training with his handler, now-Lt. Demott, at the Illinois State Police K9 training Academy in Pawnee, IL. K9 Jack worked until January 2016 when he was retired from the Police Department.
K9 Jack had earned a well-respected reputation in the Central Illinois area, often called to assist neighboring agencies in Fulton County, ISP District 14, and Central Illinois. K9 Jack and his handler Lt. Demott were requested to assist the FBI in other jurisdictions for 2 separate incidents, an ongoing extortion case, and a reported child abduction. The request was based on recommendations from other agencies and officers that had trained and worked alongside K9 Jack and his handler. His first “off-duty” call-out, was an attempt to track suspects that had just committed an armed robbery at a local gas station. Despite the wind, freezing temperatures, and ice-covered roads, he successfully tracked to the location where the suspects had fled, helping lead to their immediate arrest.
“Jack was in part, selected due to his social nature, along with the ability to ‘Flip the switch’ when it came time for whatever task he was called upon to perform. I wanted a K9 that I could have around people. The community started the program and later bailed it out so that the program could continue. I felt that the community deserved a K9 that they could interact with, but was still able to get the job done,” said Lt. Demott. “Jack loved people. He would often sit on the foot of someone who gave him a good ear scratch or belly rub so that they had to stay put.”
“I always felt safe, with Jack, and as we learned more about each other, I felt increasingly confident in Jack’s abilities. Jack was always watching over me when we were together (and) always had a look of concern for me right up to his last breath,” said Demott. “Even as sick as he was on his last day, he still seemed more concerned with our pain of having to let him go. He gave, not so much as a whimper or a whine, despite his condition. He just put his head in my lap with a reassuring look, as if to say, ‘It’s going to be OK.”
“Being K9 Jack’s handler and partner has been the best part and the greatest honor of my career. For those that get the opportunity to do this, it’s hard to go back to working without a dog. It gets in your very fiber. I would have done it until the day I retired if I had that option.” said Lt. Demott. “I want to thank the community for allowing me the opportunity of a lifetime, not just becoming a K9 Officer, but being able to pick that once-in-a-lifetime dog, and being forever able to say to everyone K9 Jack was ‘My Partner.”
