Remembering a Different Breed of Hero - Our Honoree for August!
Renfroe Outdoor, in conjunction with the Savannah Police Department, is proud to announce our newest honoree in the Savannah Heroes program! Each month, we will highlight a member of the local police force on our extensive digital billboard network for their outstanding work in serving and improving our communities.
This month we are proud to spotlight K9 Jas!
From the Savannah Police Department:
K9 Jas’ career at SPD was tragically cut short by a vehicle crash on July 25, but the impact he made in his short career as an SPD K9 had a great impact on crime, guns and drugs in our community.
Jas was named in honor of Army Sgt. Leandro Jasso, who was killed in Afghanistan in November 2018, the same year the Belgian Malinois puppy was born. He was purchased by SPD in Summer 2019 and was originally assigned to Cpl. Michael Drayton. Following Drayton’s retirement, Jas was then assigned to Sgt. Eric Dukarski. In March 2021, Officer Jon Lindsey joined the Canine Unit and became the permanent handler for Jas. The two were certified as a patrol/drug dog team in April 2021 and worked together on the SPD SWAT Team. In just four months since the team had been together, they were responsible for 37 arrests, 26 of which were felonies with one physical apprehension. The team completed three article tracks, five tracks, 63 drug searches and three building searches. The team is also responsible for the seizure of 121.15 grams of marijuana, 36.3 grams of meth, 284.3 grams of heroin, 26 guns, $10,218 in cash, and 10 vehicles. Just days before his death, he assisted officers when a man armed with firearms fled from another law enforcement agency into the city of Savannah. It was due to Jas and his partner that a potentially dangerous situation had a quick resolve and the man was taken into custody. That is just one example of the positive impact he had in his short career.
Every day he came to work eager. He remained focused and dedicated, facing dangers each day on the job. Whether he knew the danger he was in at the time is irrelevant. He served his department and this city well and deserves to be recognized for that the same as his two-legged partners have been before him. Had he not lost his life in the on-duty crash, the 3-year-old pup would likely have gone on for many years to make considerable impacts on this department and this city.
About the initiative:
Renfroe Outdoor is proud to partner with the Savannah Police Department in an initiative to honor our local heroes. Each month, this program will highlight an outstanding officer in our community chosen by the Savannah PD and recognize them across town with our digital billboard network.
It is of the opinion of the management of Renfroe Outdoor that most media outlets are too eager to cover the wrong stories relating to the police. While all public officials should be held accountable for their actions, there are far more positives that can be said about the local police than the negative. With this program, Renfroe Outdoor hopes to help foster a growing positive relationship between our citizens and the men and women who put themselves in danger to protect them each day.
