Deputy Columbus Jones & Atticus

Memorial service honoring K-9 Officer “Atticus” was held on Friday, June 3, 2011. Tunica County Sheriff’s Office gathered on the grounds of the courthouse to say farewell to Atticus who was shot and killed a week earlier. 

Atticus began his law enforcement career with the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office June of 2010. He became a dual purpose canine for Patrol, Narcotics Detection and Tracking after graduating from Covenant Security Services Canine Academy in Petal, MS.

Atticus and his handler, Deputy Columbus Jones, were assigned to the Special Operation Division of the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office.  Together they worked narcotics interdiction, searching vehicles and regular patrol.

Atticus was more than a dog to the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office – he was an officer, a partner and a friend…but to Deputy Columbus Jones he was family.

“To lose my partner, it was like losing one of my kids,” Officer Jones said.

Sheriff Hamp stated that the department is going to make sure that the K-9s are properly identified at all times, so there will be no mistaken identity.