- December 30, 2024
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K-9 Marko and K-9 Tag with their handlers. Image courtesy of the FCSO
Cpl. Fred Gimbel with K-9 Marko at Marko's graduation ceremony. Image courtesy of the FCSO
K-9 Tag at his graduation ceremony. Image courtesy of the FCSO
By: Shannon Martin
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff's Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announces the retirements of K-9 Marko and K-9 Tag after a combined total of 17 years of dedicated service to the community of Flagler County.
K-9 Marko was born on May 24, 2011. He began his career with the FCSO when he was a year old and has served on the K-9 Unit for 8 years. During his time at the FCSO, K-9 Marko served as a dual-purpose canine, which means that he was utilized for patrol as well as narcotics detection.
During K-9 Marko’s service with the FCSO, he was deployed 796 times, recovered over 16,000 grams (about 35 pounds) of illegal narcotics, and made 62 criminal apprehensions. K-9 Marko has also attended multiple community events, leaving a far-reaching impact on all who had the opportunity to meet him.
K-9 Tag was born on June 28, 2010. He began his career with the FCSO shortly after his first birthday. During his time at the FCSO, K-9 Tag also served as a dual-purpose canine.
While serving FCSO, K-9 Tag was deployed 586 times, recovered over 10,608 grams (about 23 pounds) of illegal narcotics, and made 35 criminal apprehensions. Like K-9 Marko, K-9 Tag has attended multiple community events and has left a tremendous impact on everyone who has had the opportunity to meet him. After 9 years of service, and at the advice of the agency’s veterinarian, K-9 Tag is retiring.
“It is always bitter sweet when any member of the FCSO family retires. K-9 Marko and K-9 Tag have both gone above and beyond the call of duty, and we are going to miss them. They are both very good boys, and I was honored to give them each a big retirement bone!”
— RICK STALY, Flagler County sheriff
With K-9 Marko’s retirement comes K-9 Holmes’ promotion to full-time. K-9 Holmes will be the FCSO’s first full-time bloodhound in decades. While on duty, K-9 Holmes will be used for finding missing persons, suicidal persons, and others who may need to be found quickly.
Likewise, K-9 Tag’s retirement brings K-9 Odin to the FCSO K-9 Unit. K-9 Odin is a two-and-a-half year old German Shepard trained in narcotics detection and apprehension.
“It is always bitter sweet when any member of the FCSO family retires,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “K-9 Marko and K-9 Tag have both gone above and beyond the call of duty, and we are going to miss them. They are both very good boys, and I was honored to give them each a big retirement bone!”
During their retirements, K-9 Marko will live with his handler, Cpl. Fred Gimbel, and his family. Likewise, K-9 Tag will live with this handler, Cpl. Robert Tarczewski, and his family. We wish them well!
View video of the retirement ceremony here: https://youtu.be/I7lPMPxTGKI.
