Oconee Sheriff’s Deputies Hold Memorial Service For K-9

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office held a memorial service Monday morning for a K-9 that was killed in a traffic accident earlier this year.

Thomas Dwight Linton, 82, of Rock Hill was killed in an accident on Interstate 85 on January 14. The South Carolina Highway Patrol says Linton was traveling north on I-85 when his vehicle veered into the emergency lane and struck an Oconee County Deputy SUV vehicle which had made a traffic stop. 

Linton died later that evening at AnMed Health.

An Oconee County Sheriff’s Office dog named “Dasher” was also injured in the accident. The dog was euthanized because of severe internal injuries.

Deputies and staff held a memorial service Monday morning at the main entrance to the Oconee County Law Enforcement Center in Walhalla.

“Dasher” was used to help get firearms, marijuana, crack and other drugs off the street over the past five years. Sheriff James Singleton says this is the first K-9 to die in the line of duty in Oconee County.

“The community as a whole, wow. Just look,“ said Deputy Tommy Compton, who was the animal’s handler. “I really appreciate everything.“

Reporting by Carmen Coursey