Coweta County honors K-9 Titan with full honors after tragic end to his military service

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. – Tributes continue to pour in K-9 Titan, a Coweta County Sheriff’s Office dog, killed in the line of duty after a high-speed chase ended in a deadly shootout.

On Thursday, dozens of law enforcement patrol cars escorted an ambulance transporting Titan’s body to Coweta County, where he will be buried with full honors. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office has pledged to treat Titan’s sacrifice with the same respect as any fallen officer.

The solemn procession came a day after Titan was killed while attacking an armed suspect who opened fire on officers during a chase. His handler, Deputy Blaize Henderson, was also injured in the incident. Officials credit Titan’s actions with saving the lives of officers, who returned fire, killing the suspect and ending the threat.

“Those officers are alive because of Titan. Just a true hero,” said Sgt. Mark Storey, Chief of the K-9 Unit at the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. Storey described Titan as fearless and highly skilled, trained in search and rescue, drug detection and suspect apprehension.

Titan’s courage was a hallmark of his work, Storey noted. Training footage shows the dog jumping out of a helicopter on command to apprehend a fleeing individual. Storey said Coweta K-9s are trained to be an “overwhelming force that forces surrender.”

“I am so proud to be part of the K-9 unit here at the sheriff’s office,” Storey said. “This is the second time that these dogs have done their job in such an excellent manner. And because of that, the officers are still alive.”

Titan’s loss comes just months after another Coweta K-9, Kilo, survived being shot under similar circumstances in August 2023. Body camera footage captured officers’ frantic efforts to rescue Kilo, who later recovered and returned to work.

Titan, however, was not so lucky. He was shot several times and died on the spot.

A memorial service in Titan’s honor will be held on Friday, November 22 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend and pay their respects to the dog whose ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten.