EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - The Effingham County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) is mourning the loss of a beloved retired K-9. Lieutenant Gero served the ECSO from 2015 to 2022 under the handling of Strategic Firearms Commander (SFC) Jamie Thompson. In his career, Lt. Gero helped capture those who tried to evade authorities and alerted to hundreds of narcotics while on patrol with SFC Thompson. Lt. Gero resided with SFC. Thompson and his family in Guyton, Ga. after retirement. ECSO commemorated the passing of the K-9 on Friday, Nov. 29, with a heartfelt message on Facebook: "Lt. Gero we pray that your days are pain free and you are enjoying all the KONG toys you can find. Until we meet again, Good boy, Gero. Good boy."