Lee County Sheriff K-9 “Rico” Dies

September 6, 2012

Lee County Sheriff’s office K-9 “Rico” died Sunday afternoon September 3^rd from an internal infection. On Friday August 31 “Rico” fell ill and was taken to his veterinarian for an examination which revealed a tear in his intestinal tract. He underwent surgery to repair the rupture but was unable to recover.

Rico, a Belgian Malinois, was 8 years old and was trained in detecting explosive ordinance.  Sergeant Jimmy Sanders, a 10 year veteran deputy with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, was Rico’s partner and the pair had been working together since Rico came to the sheriff’s office in 2006. Opelika City Schools Superintendant Dr. Mark Neighbors and the  Opelika City School Board was instrumental in bringing Rico to the sheriff’s office by receiving a grant that allowed for Rico’s purchase and he and his partner’s training. Rico leaves three (3)  fellow K-9 deputies “Mike”, “Smoke” and “Eve”.