K9 Lor was a famous police dog who worked with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri for nine years. He was also a star of the TV show Live PD, where he gained many fans for his bravery and loyalty. He retired in 2019 and lived with his handler, former Deputy James Craigmyle, and his family. Sadly, he died on July 26, 2022, at the age of 13. What was the cause of his death and how did he live his life?
A Heroic Career
Lor was born in 2008 in Eastern Europe and came to the United States in 2010. He joined the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and became Craigmyle’s partner. He was a “dual purpose” police dog, trained in both drug detection and patrol apprehension. He worked on task forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Greene County SWAT and other groups. He was deployed on over 2,000 occasions, according to the sheriff’s office.
Lor also became a celebrity when he appeared regularly on Live PD, a TV show that featured law enforcement agencies during their night-time patrols. He was a fan favorite and was featured on T-shirts and made into a stuffed animal. He also visited schools, hospitals and children’s birthday parties as a law enforcement ambassador and a friendly canine.
A Loving Family
Lor retired in 2019 and continued to live with Craigmyle and his family. He enjoyed his civilian life and was loved by his human brothers and sisters. He also had a silly and sweet side, often stealing apples from a major’s refrigerator and dropping toys in Sheriff Jim Arnott’s lap during meetings.
“Lor was a great deputy sheriff here at the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and was an ambassador for law enforcement worldwide,” Arnott said. “He was loved and adored by so many and he will be greatly missed.”
A Tragic End
Following his retirement and after years of fighting crime, Lor had many health issues including intestinal perforation that required major surgery in 2020, according to Springfield News-Leader. He also suffered from arthritis and hip dysplasia. He was over 100 years old in human years and his age and injuries took a toll on him.
“Despite one of his human brothers asking Santa to ‘make [him] immortal’ for Christmas this year, the time came when neither his massive heart, nor his love for his people could sustain him any longer on this earth,” Abby Craigmyle, Lor’s “mom,” wrote in a Facebook post.
Lor died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was laid to rest in a private ceremony at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens in Springfield, according to Memorials to Fallen K-9’s2. The sheriff’s office asked that those interested donate to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit or to Project K9 Hero, which paid for many of Lor’s medical bills.
Lor was a hero, a star and a friend. He will always be remembered for his service, his courage and his love. Rest in peace, Lor.
