Sheriff Randy Smith is saddened to announce that retired K9, Deputy Thor, has crossed the rainbow bridge.
He passed away peacefully at the age of 13 years old and he lived out his golden years with his handler, former STPSO Sgt. Ron Olivier.
K9 Deputy Thor began his career with the STPSO under Sgt. Olivier in 2012, and he provided 8 years of service to the citizens of St. Tammany Parish. During his eight years with the STPSO, K9 Deputy Thor successfully apprehended 52 wanted suspects and located 32 concealed narcotic locations throughout buildings, packages, vehicles and underground.
In 2015, he saved the lives of deputies resulting in him being stabbed in the neck with a knife, sustaining significant injuries. His heroic actions during those incidents earned him national recognition and a day named in his honor. The late Pat Brister, the parish president, named October 23, 2015, as Deputy Thor Day, during a rally held in his honor. He was awarded a Medal of Valor through North American Police Work Dog Association.
