HCSO K9 Lasso receives his final ‘Good Boy’ as a deputy

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has announced the retirement of K9 Lasso, a 10-year veteran of the force. Holmes County Sheriff John Tate described Lasso as a “consummate professional.” “K9 Lasso has been a cornerstone of the HCSO team,” stated Sheriff Tate. “Participating in hundreds of deployments that led to countless arrests and helping to ensure the safety of our community.”

K9 Lasso, a 10.5-year-old Belgian Malinois, served alongside his handler, Corporal Wade Strickland, for 8.5 years. “It’s hard to pick just one case because we have had so many,” said Corporal Strickland. “He’s kept me out of trouble so many more times than I can even recollect. Truth be told, you can read the body language of your partner. Lasso wouldn’t let me down.”

K9 Lasso’s first arrest occurred shortly after his certification. According to Corporal Strickland, the narcotics investigator called Lasso to assist with a case involving a dealer. During the search, methamphetamine was located under the truck’s bed liner. This marked the beginning of his contributions to law enforcement efforts in the county.

Six months into his career, Lasso assisted in a case involving a dealer in Alabama. The K9 located an ounce of methamphetamine during a vehicle inspection, followed by another detection of the same quantity in a separate vehicle stop within a week. These discoveries contributed to coordinated efforts with another county to address the issue.

Lasso also participated in a K9 competition in Boynton Beach, Florida. The competition included an obstacle course testing control, agility, and problem-solving. Lasso completed the course without penalties and also earned recognition as the fastest dog and second in the hardest hitting category.

In addition to these tasks, Lasso worked with the narcotics division on various cases. On one occasion, Lasso inspected a vehicle and detected drugs. In another instance, Lasso followed the scent of narcotics during a foot chase and led deputies to the suspect.

Lasso was also involved in community outreach, including K9 demonstrations at local schools. These events allowed interactions with students and provided insights into the role of K9 units in law enforcement.

As Lasso transitioned into retirement, Corporal Strickland shared a glimpse of his new life. “Lasso will enjoy a retirement of daily chicken nuggets from my wife and enjoy lap time. My wife turned my trained killer into a lapdog,” said Corporal Strickland.