The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has announced another death in its K9 unit — this time from an aggressive and rare form of cancer.
K-9 Mako died on Wednesday after being medically retired from service, the Sheriff’s Office announced in a Facebook post Friday. The 5-year-old dog was with his handler, Deputy D. Richardson, in his final days.
El Paso County Sheriff’s K-9 Mako died Wednesday. (Courtesy of El Paso County Sheriff’s Office)
Mako joined the office in July 2025 after being at the Fountain Police Department since April 2023.
During his time at the Sheriff’s Office, he assisted with 19 drug searches, contributing to the seizure of more than 1 pound of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. He also aided in two peaceful surrenders and participated in a large-scale field search.
That work followed his time in Fountain, where he aided in 71 seizures, 42 arrests and helped recover around 187 grams of meth, 25 fentanyl pills, 7 grams of cocaine and 1 gram of heroin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal said in a written statement that Mako was an “exceptional” K-9 and a valued member of the office.
“We are grateful for his service and will remember him as a loyal partner, hard worker and a beloved member of our Sheriff’s Office family,” Roybal said.
This is the second Sheriff K-9 to die in recent weeks. On Aug. 8, K-9 Styx died after attacking a dog and biting its owner while off duty. The owner reportedly shot Styx in defense. The dog was rushed to an urgent care facility, where he died.
The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the circumstances behind the attack.