For much of its history, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) operated without a dedicated K-9 program. That changed in the late 1990s, when the agency began to see the value of highly trained police dogs in both patrol and narcotics work.
The department’s first foray into the program began with “Arno,” a dual-purpose K-9 assigned to the Uniformed Patrol Division. By early 1999, JCSO had established its first official K-9 unit, serving both patrol and the narcotics division with two dual-purpose dogs. Since then, the program has seen remarkable success — most notably with “Prins,” the agency’s second Belgian Malinois, who earned the title of No. 1 law enforcement K-9 in Arkansas through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) and ranked 11th in the nation.
In May 2021, JCSO welcomed “Sergeant Ioni May,” a dual-purpose Belgian Malinois named in honor of J. Thomas “Tommy” May, former President and CEO of Simmons First National Bank and current Chairman and CEO of Simmons First Foundation. Trained in narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, and tracking, Ioni quickly became a valuable asset to the agency’s mission of being “Dedicated to Service.”
Over the past four years, Ioni assisted deputies in enhancing public safety, supporting law enforcement operations, and fostering positive engagement with the community. According to Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., K-9s like Ioni are “elite members of JCSO’s Uniformed Patrol Division and one of law enforcement’s most valuable assets.”
However, following a recent medical evaluation, it was determined that Ioni’s health issues posed a significant risk to operational readiness — particularly during bite deployments — and that extended treatment would disrupt training and service capabilities. In consultation with medical findings, JCSO made the difficult decision to retire Ioni from active duty in accordance with CLEST Rule 1029(1)(b). He will now undergo decertification procedures with the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.
“Sheriff K-9s like Ioni have been a valuable tool in this agency’s mission to protect and serve the citizens of Jefferson County,” Sheriff Woods said. “When it comes to a sense of duty, pound for pound, they have no equal. In the finest spirit of public service, Ioni demonstrated exemplary service in carrying out his duties. It is with our deepest respect and gratitude that we honor him for his tireless devotion to duty.”
As part of JCSO’s customary practice, Ioni’s final handler, former Deputy Sheriff Cory Lowery, will now provide care for him in his well-earned retirement — trading in patrol duty for a quieter life filled with rest, treats, and plenty of playtime.
