From: Sheriff Matt Myers
Columbus
The past week has been the toughest of my law enforcement career. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office suffered our first line of duty death.
K9 Diesel was an integral part of Bartholomew County law enforcement. This was made more difficult, for me, as I am recovering from COVID-19 and have been in isolation at home. My personal heartache is made worse because of the inability to mourn with the men and women of the sheriff’s office. A sheriff should be with his team during these times.
Words can’t express the gratitude I feel from all the support not only from our community, but across our state and nation over the loss of K9 Diesel. The memorial outside our office and the video of the procession of law enforcement officers escorting K9 Diesel to be cremated were comforting and much appreciated.
It was K9 Diesel and his handler, Deputy Matt Bush, who apprehended a man carrying a shotgun near Taylorsville Elementary back in 2017. K9 Diesel and Deputy Bush have been a part of major drug arrests and found heroin and other drugs by the pound during traffic stops. No doubt, this has saved numerous lives. K9 Diesel has been involved in more than 250 arrests in service to law enforcement agencies throughout the area. It’s not surprising that K9 Diesel was one of the top-10 drug-sniffing dogs in his training graduation class.
K9 Diesel was fortunate to have Deputy Bush as his handler. These two made an outstanding team. Their relationship was evident during training in North Carolina. K9 Diesel and Deputy Bush forged such a strong bond in a short time that the normal course of training was reduced. Whether it was searching for dope or chasing fleeing suspects, K9 Diesel was always ready.
K9 Diesel and Deputy Bush were well received by area school children. During their visits to schools, children had the opportunity to see K9 Diesel as both protector and a friend. K9 Diesel as also an integral part of Deputy Bush’s family who are also feeling this tremendous loss.
The sheriff’s office has lost a member of our family. A dog who performed his duties in an outstanding manner. He was law enforcement K9 that the entire community could be proud of took comfort in knowing that he was part of the thin blue line.
