St. Johns County Honors K9 Officer Judge for Eight Years of Dedicated Service

• 8 August 2024
• Category: SJC News District 2
• Tags: 2024

At the regular St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, August 6, Chair Sarah Arnold, District 2, issued a certificate of recognition in honor of K9 Officer Judge. This heartfelt recognition expressed the County’s deep appreciation for K9 Judge’s eight years of unwavering service, highlighting the significant contributions he made to both the citizens and employees of St. Johns County.

K9 Judge joined the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office on September 30, 2016, and on December 6, 2016, he earned the designation of a National Police K9 Association (NPCA) certified explosive detection K9. Over the course of his career, K9 Judge was deployed more than 700 times. His duties included preemptive K9 sniffs at the St. Johns County Judicial Center and all County Administration Building meetings, as well as responding to numerous bomb threats. K9 Judge’s expertise extended beyond the County, where he provided vital protection at sports events and concerts throughout Northeast Florida and supported State and Federal Agencies with executive protection.

Beyond his official duties, K9 Judge had a special impact on the community. He frequently performed K9 demonstrations for children of all ages and made visits to assisted living facilities, bringing joy and education to countless individuals.

K9 Judge’s dedication to his handler, Deputy Scott Wright, and to the St. Johns County community has been unparalleled. However, due to the development of Degenerative Myopathy (DM), K9 Judge could no longer meet the demanding requirements of his role. After eight years of loyal service, K9 Judge officially retired from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office on May 31, 2024.