Gwinnett Sheriff, Staff Mourn The Loss Of 'JP'

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – Anyone who knows Gwinnett County Sheriff Sheriff Butch Conway probably knows his constant companion, JP.

Conway rescued JP in 2005 while he was in New Orleans with Gwinnett deputies assisting communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. JP is short for Jefferson Parish. He was just a slip of a puppy wandering around hungry and alone in the dark when our deputies brought him to safety. The little pup with inordinately large ears stole the Sheriff’s heart and the rest is history. The sheriff rarely went anywhere without JP by his side and deputies said they've never seen a stronger bond between a dog and his man.

"The special friendship between JP and Sheriff Conway is a rare and unique gift," reads a Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office Facebook post honoring the pooch. "Maybe it’s because JP represented hope in the midst of unimaginable death and destruction in the aftermath of Katrina. JP was a bright light during those dark days. He brought everyone joy amidst the sorrow. It’s hard to say who truly rescued whom that day.

"The hardest part of loving a dog is that they age faster than we do and before we know it, we have to say goodbye," continues the post. "It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that we said goodby to JP just a few short days ago. His age caught up with him and his health declined rapidly. His best friend was by his side until the end. We ask that you keep Sheriff Conway and the many people who love JP in your thoughts and prayers. We all miss him."

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Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office