Archer

Incident

K9 Archer succumbed to heatstroke after tracking a felon who fled from deputies after a traffic stop on July 4, 2024.

A deputy initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 10 for speeding, but the suspect did not stop. The suspect left the interstate and then crashed his vehicle into a yard on SW Sampala Lake Road in Madison. When the suspect fled on foot, K9 Archer and his handler tracked the suspect to a field. 15 minutes after switching out on the track with another K9, K9 Archer began showing signs of distress. He was transported to Madison Veterinary Clinic for stabilization before receiving treatment at the Allied Veterinary Hospital in Tallahassee. K9 Archer's condition improved, and he was taken to UF Shands Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville. On July 5, his condition worsened, and he passed away.

Temperatures on July 4, 2024, were in the mid-90s, with a heat advisory in effect.

The suspect was apprehended and has been charged with contributing to the death of K9 Archer, as well as three drug charges and a charge of fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer at high speed.

K9 Archer had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for six years.