El Paso County deputy helps create bill to get justice for service animals that are killed in the line of duty

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- An El Paso County deputy and his wife are pushing for stronger laws to protect police and service dogs.

The proposal comes one year after El Paso County Sheriff's Office K-9 officer "Jinx" was shot and killed in the line of duty. On Tuesday, April 11 Jinx's handler, Deputy Ronnie Hancock, grieved the one-year anniversary of his K-9 partner's death. 

Now, Hancock and his wife are working to change state law to require that people who hurt or kill dogs like Jinx go to jail. 

"He's not just a dog, he was my partner," said Deputy Hancock.  

Jinx started working at the sheriff's office in 2020. The K-9 lived with Deputy Hancock and his family and the special bond between Hancock and Jinx was unmatchable. 

"I say this often those two years even if they were short, I spent probably more time with Jinx than I did my family during those two years," said Hancock.  

On the night of April 11, 2022, Jinx and four other deputies were out on a call in Manitou Springs. Jinx was sent into the home of a suspect accused of threatening people on the street with a gun. But shortly after the K-9 went inside, the El Paso County Sheriff's office says 67-year-old Wildford Deweesee pulled out his gun and shot Jinx. 

"That night was hard enough to deal with the loss of Jinx. And then to find out that anyone who would harm a police K9 like that would do no jail time or receive very minimal punishment, it was just another shot to the stomach for me," said Deputy Hancock.  

That's why Deputy Hancock and his wife Julie are working non-stop to change the law. The couple believes Colorado animal cruelty laws don't go far enough. A person who hurts or kills a police or service animal with malicious intent can face charges. But if they're convicted, they're only required to pay for all the veterinarian bills and or replace the dog. Now the Hancocks are working with lawmakers on a bill to increase those penalties and require prison or jail time for those who hurt service animals. 

"Knowing what we went through with the loss of Jinx, I wanted to make sure that should this ever happen to another K9 handler and their family, and department, there will be some justice," said Julie Hancock.  

Lawmakers are scheduled to debate the bill next week in Denver.