ASHEBORO, N.C. – After more than eight years of service and 35 successful tracks, K9 Red, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office bloodhound known for locating suspects, missing people, and critical evidence, is retiring from active duty.
Red joined the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit in March 2018 after being donated through the Alie Foundation by owner Doran Lawrence. Trained as a specialized tracking dog, Red quickly became a valuable resource for investigators, using the breed’s renowned scent-tracking abilities to assist in criminal investigations and search operations throughout the region.
Working alongside Sgt. Jordan for nearly eight years, Red built a career defined by persistence, precision, and reliability. The partnership resulted in 35 successful tracks and career finds, ranging from locating fleeing suspects to recovering stolen property and assisting in missing person cases.
Among Red’s earliest successes was a 2018 burglary investigation in which she tracked a suspect who fled after allegedly entering a home through a window. Deputies followed the scent trail across creeks before locating the suspect, establishing Red’s reputation early in her career.
In 2019, Red assisted deputies searching for a wanted person whose capture led to multiple arrests. During the investigation, she tracked from an abandoned vehicle to a residence where authorities located the suspect along with eight other wanted individuals.
Her work extended beyond locating suspects. In 2020, Red helped recover a stolen motorcycle, demonstrating the value of tracking dogs in property crime investigations.
One of her longest tracks came in May 2022 when North Carolina Probation and Parole requested assistance after a suspect fled on foot along Millers Mill Road. After the suspect discarded a pair of eyeglasses, Red tracked the individual for approximately 1.2 miles before deputies made the arrest.
Throughout her career, Red supported investigations involving missing people, fleeing suspects, evidence recovery, and stolen property recovery.
Outside of law enforcement operations, Red became a familiar face in the community. She regularly participated in school visits, daycare programs, civic events, and the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy, helping residents learn about the role of K9 teams in public safety. One memorable tradition included attending the West Asheboro Church of God Spring Fling, where Red became known for her love of popcorn.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Red’s retirement will be spent with Sgt. Jordan, enjoying a slower pace that includes boat rides, movie time, plenty of treats, and time with family dogs Nitro and Charger.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office will host a public retirement celebration honoring Red’s career on Aug. 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Sheriff’s Office, located at 727 McDowell Road in Asheboro. Community members who met Red during demonstrations, school visits, or public events are invited to attend and celebrate her years of service.
Red officially entered retirement after a career that left a lasting impact on both the Sheriff’s Office and the Randolph County community through dedicated service, successful investigations, and years of public outreach.
