Pictured with his handler, Deputy Gary Deitrick, is K9 Officer Jano. Officer Jano passed away on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (Photo/Courtesy of the Paulding County Sheriff's Department)

PAULDING - Word has been received of Paulding County’s retired K-9 Officer Jano’s passing on Saturday, December 10, 2022.

K-9 Jano was the first commissioned K-9 Officer under the tenure of Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers. K-9 Jano was born on August 24, 2012 and purchased by Paulding County on September 11, 2013. At that time, Deputy Gary Deitrick was assigned as his handler.

“When I was elected Sheriff ten years ago, I had a goal to implement a K-9 team. Our community supported that vision. Funds were raised and Gary picked out Jano as his partner and our first K-9. Those two did a fantastic job establishing our program. I’m sad to learn of Jano’s sudden medical issue resulting in his passing,” said Sheriff Jason K. Landers.

Deitrick and K-9 Jano both received training with Allen County (IN) Police Department including obedience, evidence, area and building searches, and tracking and detection of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and ecstasy.

K-9 Jano was retired from duty on April 18, 2019 when Deputy Detrick resigned for another position in law enforcement.

(Information provided by the Paulding County Sheriff's Department)