SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES PASSING OF K9 OZZY
ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to announce the passing of K9 Ozzy due to health complications.
Ozzy, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, was certified for duty on May 22, 2020, and faithfully served the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Douglas County until his retirement on April 23, 2025.
After thoughtful consultation with the veterinarian on Friday, April 25, 2025, it was determined that it was in Ozzy’s best interest, as his quality of life had been steadily declining, and he was showing signs of significant deterioration, that he be put to rest.
Ozzy was partnered with Deputy Barden throughout his career, and together they formed a strong and effective team. Ozzy’s contributions to the Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County were substantial. During his career, Ozzy was deployed 354 times, participated in 34 public demonstrations, and was involved in 36 felony arrests and 17 misdemeanor arrests. He also assisted in 84 felony investigations and 27 misdemeanor cases. Ozzy was responsible for a total of 88 apprehensions and successfully completed 37 tracks.
On the night of April 12, 2022, Ozzy’s alertness and skill may very well have saved Deputy Barden’s life. While assisting the Roseburg Police Department with clearing a business following a break-in, Ozzy detected a suspect hiding behind a desk on the second floor. Despite multiple warnings, the suspect remained hidden. Thanks to Ozzy’s alertness the suspect, armed with a loaded AR-15 style rifle, was taken into custody without incident. The suspect later admitted he had planned to shoot whoever tried to come after him, but surrendered out of fear of being bitten by Ozzy. This incident stands as a powerful reminder of the risks our deputies and K9s face and the extraordinary bond and teamwork that keeps them safe.
K9 Ozzy’s reliability, drive, and determination made him an indispensable part of the team, and he played a vital role in keeping both his fellow deputies and the community safe.
“We’ve all experienced the loyalty of our canine family members. That same loyalty and bond between a well-trained police K9 and its handler is immeasurable,” remarked Sheriff John Hanlin. “K9 Ozzy was a beloved officer of the Sheriff’s Office and will be greatly missed.”
The Sheriff’s Office would like to express its sincere gratitude to all those who supported Ozzy and our K9 program over the years. The generosity and encouragement of the community are crucial to the continued success of our K9 teams.
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation in Ozzy’s memory may do so by mailing it to:
Friends of UV K9 Programs
PO Box 213
Roseburg, OR 97470
Checks should be made payable to Friends of UV K9 Programs with “K9 Ozzy” in the memo line.
Comments
Post a Comment