Crime & Safety
Retired Sarasota K-9 Patrol, Narcotics Dog Dies: Police
Sarasota Police Department said goodbye to Hixon, one of the agency's retired K-9 dogs, who died this week.
SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota Police Department shared “the heartbreaking news” of the death of retired K-9 Hixon.
Hixon, who served with Officer Sean Gleason for seven years as a patrol and narcotics dog, died at home after a brief illness this week, Sarasota police shared on social media.
A Belgian Malinois, Hixon was born in October 2007 and joined the department in 2009. He’s been living at home with Gleason as part of the family since his retirement in 2016.
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It’s with sadness we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of retired K-9 Hixon. He passed away at home this week after a brief illness. He served as the loyal partner to Officer Gleason from 2009 until 2016. Rest easy, K-9 Hixon. Thank you for your service & sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/GRlNrBG1oQ
— Sarasota Police Department (@SarasotaPD) June 30, 2021
Hixon and Gleason attended numerous community events, visiting schools, churches and local groups.
In 2014, they were named the second-place Drug Detection K-9 Team by Southern Coast K-19 during the 17th annual Bomb and Drug Detection seminar. They were also honored at the event in 2013 as the Top K-9 Team for both the Explosives Division and Narcotics Division.
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