Winter Haven, Florida -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Diggett family of Winter Haven are mourning the loss this week of retired PCSO K-9 "Bolt," who was purchased by the Diggett family for PCSO in loving memory of their daughter, Allison Sousa.
Allison was brutally murdered by Thomas Rigterink in September 2003.
Click here for a news release sent out on December 15, 2003, about Bolt being donated by the Diggett family
Bolt's first PCSO handler was Sergeant Howard Martin, who trained him as a canine. He was then partnered with (now retired) Deputy Sheriff Johnny Polston. He then worked with (now Sergeant) Deputy Joe Wilson as a bomb detection dog.
PHOTOS: Polk County Sheriff's Office retired K-9 Bolt
Upon Bolt's retirement from service to PCSO, at the family's request, he was allowed to retire into their home and become their family pet.
Some of Bolt's accomplishments include:
- 31 non-contact apprehensions with handler Johnny Polston from May 2006 - December 2007
- Bolt won the Exceptional Service Award from NAPWDA (North American Police Work Dog Association) in 2007
- Bolt detected a rocket launcher in a suspect's vehicle in north Lakeland
Polk County Sheriff's Office