“Thank you for your years of service. You will be missed,” a sheriff’s dispatcher announced over the radio for the last call for OH 49, known as K-9 Jesy.

A German Shepherd born in the Czech Republic, she joined the sheriff’s office in 2013 with Lt. Allan Young as her handler and helped to wage the war against drugs in the county. She retired with Young in 2020 after seven years on the job.

“She was just a good dog, a good friend,” Young said.

He and his wife, Kathy, arrived at Sunny Ridge Veterinary Services in Rogers with K-9 Jesy to a contingent of sheriff’s office personnel led by Sheriff Brian McLaughlin who were there to say goodbye and to honor K-9 Jesy at her End of Watch. Young said she had been suffering from arthritis and had some other medical issues.

Sheriff Brian McLaughlin and members of the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office and Salem Police Department, including K-9 handlers from both departments, salute retired Deputy K-9 Jesy, with her handler and friend, retired sheriff’s office Lt. Allan Young. The first K-9 for the department, K-9 Jesy ended her watch Tuesday afternoon, passing away with her Young family and sheriff’s family by her side. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

The group included McLaughlin, Capt. Ryan Pike, several detectives, deputies, and sheriff’s deputy K-9 Diva handler Deputy Luke Skidmore, along with Salem Police K-9 handlers, Sgt. Mike Garber, who handles K-9 Chaz, and Patrolman Tanor English, who handles K-9 Fero.

They formed two lines at the entrance and saluted as K-9 Jesy entered the veterinary office and then they all went inside and petted her one last time.

McLaughlin praised the work that K-9 Jesy did while on the job.

“It’s a sad day for the sheriff’s office. We will support Jesy’s handler, Lt. Allan Young, with anything he needs,” he said.

Kathy said Jesy will join their other dog, Bo, also a German Shepherd, who passed away in January. Jesy was being cremated and will be with Bo on their fireplace, which is a place she liked to lay near. Both Allan and Kathy were thankful for the support of their brothers and sisters in blue, sharing plenty of handshakes and hugs.

Allan is actually retiring for the second time. He worked his last day last Friday as a security bailiff of Common Pleas Court on the second floor of the downtown courthouse where he had been since April 2021, with the retirement effective Nov. 28.