Humphreys County K-9 Dies In Patrol Car Fire

Waverly, Tenn.- Humphreys County K-9 Ciro died Thursday in a patrol car fire.

Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office car # 520 (K-9 Unit) was parked at the Humphreys County Courthouse this morning while K-9 Deputy Sheriff Shawn Gary was there for court.

While parked, the patrol vehicle incurred some type of electrical short that resulted in the vehicle catching fire in the dashboard area.

Sheriff’s K-9 Ciro, a five-year-old German Shepherd certified in patrol/narcotics, was inside the vehicle.

A citizen observed smoke inside the vehicle and alerted deputies who immediately began the rescue of the K-9. The electric locks didn’t function due to the fire. Deputies broke out windows and attempted to pry the security bars off the window frames to access the dog.

Waverly Fire and Police also responded and assisted with rescue efforts.

By the time K-9 Ciro was reached, he had succumbed to smoke inhalation. K-9 Ciro was transported to Waverly Animal Clinic where Ciro was pronounced deceased.

Two deputies were treated and released from Three Rivers Hospital after suffering 2nd-degree burns and smoke inhalation in the rescue of K-9 Ciro.

The patrol vehicle was equipped with an electronic alarm system that is supposed to alert the deputy’s pager and sound an audible siren in such events, however, the system failed to function. The patrol vehicle is a total loss as a result of the fire.