- December 4, 2025
A necropsy performed on Flagler County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Kyro, on Oct. 15 indicated in preliminary findings that Kyro had a congenital heart condition, according to an FCSO press release.
Kyro died the day before, on Tuesday, Oct. 14. He was 2 years old.
While Master Deputy Marcus Dawson, Kyro’s partner, was overseeing the training of a new K-9 team, Kyro was inside Dawson’s patrol vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner and heat alarm that transmits a distress signal to the K-9 handler should a mechanical issue occur.
During a scheduled break, Dawson returned to his vehicle and found Kyro unresponsive. All K-9 and vehicle protective systems were on and functioning at the time, the FCSO said in a press release.
Dawson immediately drove to an emergency veterinary clinic, where staff performed lifesaving efforts.
“Unfortunately, despite their exhaustive efforts, Kyro succumbed to an unknown medical issue,” the FCSO said before the necropsy was performed.
“There’s a saying that ‘all dogs go to heaven,’ and Master Deputy Dawson did everything he could to save his beloved partner,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “But sadly, just like humans, our four-legged partners can also have undiagnosed medical conditions. I guess God needs a well-trained and beautiful K-9 in heaven. I continue to ask everyone to keep Master Deputy Dawson and our team in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
Kyro, a German Shepherd, was born on Dec. 13, 2022. He joined the agency in August 2024 and was trained as a dual-purpose K-9 in both patrol and narcotics detection. He aided in arresting 37 subjects, helped in the detection and seizure of 65 grams of illegal narcotics and located 25 items of drug paraphernalia.
Information on Kyro’s memorial service will be released when available, the FCSO said.
