Pacific County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Ciko aided in the arrest of a suspect in 2019 when this photo was taken.

K-9 Ciko, part of the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office since 2014, died Nov. 20 after a lengthy battle with multiple health issues. He was euthanized following a veterinarian visit at Tanasbourne Veterinary Emergency in Beaverton, Oregon, on Nov. 14 after a hernia was discovered.

Ciko had dealt with another hernia and operation in December 2023 and also had hip pain and arthritis.

Over the past few years, Ciko did not play a major role with the sheriff’s office. In the summer of 2023, he was placed with PCSO Inspector Michael Parker and his wife, Kelly Parker, a trooper with the Washington State Patrol.

Neither of the Parkers are K-9 certified, and Ciko last served with now-Chief Criminal Deputy Randy Wiegardt.

According to PCSO Chief Civil Deputy Hollie Billeci, Ciko was placed on reserve status with the sheriff’s office and was available for service. However, all his certifications had run out, so any involvement would have been limited.

“Reserve status was intended for him to be a stop-gap until Axel was certified and deployable,” Billeci said. “Although Ciko didn’t keep his certifications, he did not forget how to do his job and could be recertified quickly if there was a need.”

“Another part of a K-9’s job is to act as a deterrent. It is a tactic often used to keep a K-9 on duty as a deterrent, as K-9s with reputations such as Ciko’s play an active role in deterring criminals when they believe that Ciko could still be dispatched,” Billeci added.

The agency posted to Facebook on Nov. 15, the day after the veterinarian visit, that Ciko was retiring and was “now enjoying life with a wonderful family with several acres to explore and dog siblings to keep him company.”

According to public records, the Pacific County General Administration inquired about Ciko’s official status on Nov. 25 and learned that Ciko had retired on Nov. 15 and passed away on Nov. 20.

Additional records detail that the county had no clue that Ciko was placed with the Parkers, whose names were listed as the owners along with the county. The county became aware after receiving a vet bill for Ciko.

“Discussed PE findings with Kelly … Discussed medical management of hernia unlikely to keep Ciko comfortable given his current level of pain … Discussed euthanasia as most humane option at this time … Kelly would like to take Ciko home with pain medication for further consideration; Will likely pursue in-home euthanasia,” the veterinarian report states.

“No in-home euthanasia was pursued,” Billeci said. “Ciko was euthanized at the vet.”

In his prime, Ciko was a force to be reckoned with at the sheriff’s office. Over his 10-year career, he was credited with an honorable record of apprehensions and drug busts.

“The point of the Facebook post was to give the public an update on Ciko’s retirement status and for the citizens to see him through as he has been in the public eye as PCSO’s K-9 since he was a puppy as well as celebrate his retirement,” Billeci said. “It was our wish to keep his death within the PCSO family.”

“He was a great K-9 and will be missed tremendously,” she added.