BERLIN — The local law enforcement community this week is mourning the loss of a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office K-9, who was struck and killed during a traffic stop along Route 50 last Saturday night.
Around 10 p.m. last Saturday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy, along with his partner K-9 Ike, conducted a traffic stop on Route 50 in the area of Route 589. During the traffic stop, K-9 Ike alerted to something and jumped from the stopped patrol vehicle. A motorist traveling on Route 50 was not able to avoid Ike and struck and killed the police dog.
The driver remained on the scene and did everything possible to avoid striking the K-9 to no avail. Ike had been on duty with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for three years. He was responsible for numerous drug seizures, criminal apprehensions and countless searches and tracks. According to a release, Ike was a valued member of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and will be sorely missed by Sheriff Reggie Mason and all of the deputies.
Mason this week thanked the community for the prayers and support during the difficult time. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office will hold a memorial service for K-9 Ike this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Pocomoke Fire Department Community Center, during which K-9 Ike will be receiving full departmental honors. The memorial service is open to the public.