(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A four-legged member of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) was treated to a retirement cake and celebration of his service during a ceremony on Thursday, July 17.
K9 Knox began his career in 2018 and served faithfully until his retirement ceremony on Thursday. From 2018 to 2021, K9 Knox served with Deputy Ronnie Hancock and transferred to serve with Deputy Gregory Stoneham from 2021 until his retirement. During his tenure, K9 Knox was deployed over 250 times, resulting in more than 50 arrests, a dozen surrenders, and several major seizures.
K9 Knox was also a trusted partner to School Resource Officers, assisting in 77 deployments on school campuses across the county. He completed 32 deployments at the El Paso County Jail and 11 with the Metro Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence Division.
“K9 Knox has served this agency and our community with tireless dedication,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “As a manpower multiplier, K9 Knox not only helped keep our schools and neighborhoods safe but also represented the highest standards of service in everything he did. We thank him for his incredible work and wish him a well-deserved, restful retirement.”
Throughout his service, K9 Knox helped locate over $25,000 in currency and more than 91 pounds of illegal marijuana, 758 grams of methamphetamine, and 153 grams of heroin from the streets of the Pikes Peak region. K9 Knox was the only certified currency detection K9 in the entire state of Colorado for the past three years.
“The bond I have with this dog is like no other,” said newly promoted sergeant Stoneham, Knox’s handler. “I’m closer with this dog than most anybody except for my wife. I spent 40 hours a week, every week, for the last five years with him.”
On Thursday, Sergeant Stoneham was at the ceremony where Knox was treated to a tasty, paw-shaped cake to celebrate the many achievements of this good boy.
K9 Knox will now enjoy retirement at home with Stoneham, who said he looks forward to many nights with Knox enjoying turkey and French fries.
