The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday the passing of retired K9 “Pike.” Pike served the Sheriff’s Office and the community for seven years alongside his partner, Sgt. Dustin Lanier.

During his service with Lanier, Pike was part of countless narcotics investigations, arrests and patrol operations, helping keep the community and fellow deputies safe.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Lanier and his family during this difficult time,” Sgt. Bubba Revell wrote in an email. “Rest easy, K9 Pike. Your service will never be forgotten. You are forever 10-42. We'll take the watch from here, good boy.”

Note: The following is an essay Sgt. Lanier wrote about his long-time partner.

In Memory of K-9 Pike

A legacy of service, dedication and loyalty

Some partnerships leave an impact that lasts far beyond the years spent working together. For me, that partnership was with K-9 Pike.

Pike was my first K-9 partner, and I can honestly say that my entire K-9 career is built upon the foundation we established together. From my early days as a deputy and K-9 handler to my current position as Sergeant over the K-9 Unit, Pike played an important role in shaping the handler, deputy, and supervisor I am today. Although I now have the privilege of working with a new K-9 partner, the lessons Pike taught me and the legacy he left behind will always remain a part of this unit.

After graduating from K-9 handler school, Pike and I successfully completed our certification through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA). I'll never forget the night we earned that certification. I arrived home around 11:00 p.m., and just three hours later, at approximately 2:00 a.m., I received my first call-out as a certified K-9 handler.

A burglary had occurred at a powersports dealership. Pike was deployed to track the suspect from the scene. He successfully followed the track and located the individual, who was subsequently taken into custody. It was an unforgettable first deployment and the beginning of what would become an accomplished K-9 career.

Throughout his service, Pike was involved in numerous deployments that demonstrated his abilities and the value of a well-trained K-9 team. Among his notable accomplishments were tracking and locating a missing child who had been missing for more than an hour, locating a rolling methamphetamine lab on Interstate 16, and locating approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine during a random search at a FedEx facility. The narcotics were being shipped through the mail.

These were only a few highlights from Pike's career. He contributed to countless additional narcotics seizures and assisted in the apprehension of numerous offenders. His work played an important role in keeping our communities safer and demonstrated the tremendous value K-9 teams bring to law enforcement.

While these accomplishments speak volumes about Pike's abilities as a working dog, his greatest impact cannot be measured in drug seizures, arrests, or successful deployments. Pike taught me what it truly means to be a K-9 handler. He taught me patience, discipline, commitment, and, most importantly, trust. The bond between a handler and a K-9 is built through countless hours of training, long nights, unpredictable call-outs, and the shared experiences of serving together. That bond is something you can't easily explain to someone who has never experienced it.

Today, as Sergeant over the K-9 Unit, I help lead and develop the next generation of K-9 teams. I often reflect on where this journey began and recognize how much of what I know and how I lead today came from my time with Pike. The foundation of my K-9 career was built alongside him, and his influence will continue through every handler and K-9 team I have the opportunity to mentor.

Although Pike is no longer by my side, his impact on this Sheriff's Office, our community, and my life will never be forgotten. He was more than a K-9. He was a partner, a teacher, a protector, and a loyal friend.

It is difficult to put into words what losing a partner like Pike means. However, I take comfort in knowing that his service made a difference, his accomplishments will be remembered, and the lessons he taught me will continue to serve others for years to come.

I began my K-9 journey with Pike, and regardless of how many years remain in my career or how many K-9 partners I may have in the future, a part of that journey will always belong to him.

Thank you, Pike, for your service, your loyalty, and everything you taught me. You helped shape a career, made a difference in countless lives, and left a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Pike. Your watch is over. We have it from here.