JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A popular member of the Missouri Capitol Police force, K-9 Leon, has died two days before his fourth birthday.
K-9 Leon, a German Shorthaired Pointer was well-known for his "friendly demeanor, playfulness and love of attention," MCP said in a Facebook post on Oct. 1.
K-9 Leon was certified for duty in October 2023; he was trained in explosive detection and tracking.
The MCP's post is below:
Missouri Capitol Police is deeply saddened to announce the loss of a valued and trusted member of our MCP team, K-9 Leon. K-9 Leon, a German Shorthaired Pointer born in Bulgaria, was to have celebrated his fourth birthday on Oct. 3. He was the beloved partner of K-9 Officer Carly Stark and was adored by the entire MCP team, state team members and visitors to the Capitol alike.
He joined the MCP team in September 2023 and won friends and admirers immediately because of his friendly demeanor, playfulness and love of attention. He and K-9 Officer Stark enrolled in the Basic K-9 Handler Course in October 2023 and were certified and officially became MCP’s second K-9 team by the end of that month (joining K-9 Officer Adam Hoskins and K-9 Burbon).
Leon was trained in explosive detection and tracking. He and K-9 Officer Stark performed regular maintenance training with the Boone County Sheriff's Office. K-9 Leon’s health suddenly and rapidly declined within days of the onset of symptoms of a fast-spreading disease.
He passed away on Sept. 30. We will always miss our four-legged comrade.
RIP, Leon.
