BENTON – Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon announced Wednesday the passing of K9 Vader.
Vader served the sheriff’s office for three years and had recently been battling a serious illness. Despite the best efforts of veterinary care and great support of his handler, his condition worsened according to the sheriff.
Vader played a critical role in the sheriff’s department’s mission to remove illegal narcotics from our communities. Throughout his short career, Vader was deployed 314 times resulting in the seizure of 1,868.63 grams of illegal narcotics, 63 items of drug paraphernalia, and $6,690 in cash.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, the sheriff says Vader was a beloved partner and companion to his handler, Lt. Jared Anthis. Their bond was rooted in trust, loyalty, and countless hours of training. His bravery, dedication, and service exemplified the very best of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff says they are grateful for the years Vader gave serving the citizens of Franklin County.
