Back to All Blogs
Back to All Blogs
End of Watch: SLED K9 Coba
Wednesday, Jun 19, 2024
It is with great sadness that SLED announces the line of duty death of K9 Coba. K9 Coba, 4, was a Belgian Malinois mix and joined SLED in 2021. During his career, Coba served on SLED’s SWAT Team and SLED’s K9 Tracking Team. Coba participated in numerous trainings and apprehensions that kept communities, SLED’s law enforcement partners, and his SLED SWAT Team safe. Coba served the citizens of South Carolina alongside Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell. Coba lived with Powell’s family.
K9 Coba was killed in action on June 11, 2024, during the apprehension of an armed subject in Newberry County. During an encounter with SLED, the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, and the subject, the subject shot SLED K9 Coba. The subject was shot and transported to the hospital for treatment. SLED and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office requested the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department to independently investigate the officer involved shooting.
Coba will be greatly missed.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
With heavy hearts, SLED honored K9 Coba’s ultimate sacrifice with a memorial service on June 19, 2024.
“I know last Tuesday, June 11, at about 10 o’clock in the morning, the Lord sent an angel. He sent Coba as that protective shield – an angel,” SLED Chief Mark Keel said at today’s memorial service. “Please pray for every first responder. We need it.”
Hundreds of people, including dozens of K9’s and their handlers from across the state, attended Coba’s service at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
K9 Coba was a member of the SLED SWAT Team and SLED’s K9 Tracking Team. He had over 300 deployments, 16 criminal apprehensions, and numerous successful track and criminal surrenders. K9 Coba also had multiple successful article search deployment leading to the discovery of evidence. SLED K9 Coba was killed in action in Newberry County during the apprehension of an armed subject.
“Evil didn’t win that day, because Coba was there to protect his teammates,” said SLED Lt. Keith Thrower.
Coba served the citizens of South Carolina alongside Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell. Coba lived with the Powell family.
“His demeanor was like no other. His drive was thorugh the roof, and he was truly fearless,” said Special Agent Powell. “We are standing here talking today because you (Coba) laid down your life for us, just like you would have done on any day.”
Special thanks the countless law enforcement and community partners who helped with Coba’s memorial, including:
-The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
-The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association
-The Governor’s Office
-The Lieutenant Governor’s Office
-The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office
-The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
-The West Columbia Police Department
-The Columbia, West Columbia, and Lexington Fire Departments
-The South Carolina Highway Patrol
-Bagpiper Jimmy Ryan
-McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation
-Dunbar Funeral Homes
-Storey’s Florist
-Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians of the Midlands
-South Carolina reporters and photojournalists
-The S.C. Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SCLEAP)
-The Society of Former Agents (SOFA) of SLED