News Summary
A K-9 officer named Sam from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department tragically died after suffering a heat-related medical emergency during a training exercise. Despite efforts by his handler and veterinary staff, he could not be revived. The sheriff’s department is mourning the loss while reviewing its K-9 training protocols to prevent similar tragedies. In a separate incident, a crash on Fish Hatchery Road resulted in the death of a Georgia man, highlighting the dangers faced by both law enforcement and community members.
Lexington, South Carolina – A K-9 officer from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, identified as Sam, has tragically died following a training exercise due to an apparent heat-related illness. The two-year-old Belgian Malinois experienced a medical emergency during training, prompting his handler, Deputy McKenzie Saunders, to rush him to a veterinarian in an effort to save him. Despite these efforts, K-9 Sam could not be revived.
The sheriff’s department announced the passing of Sam in a heartfelt social media post, describing him as “a trusted teammate and protector.” The loss of K-9 Sam is intensely felt within the department, as he had only entered service earlier in 2025, and became cherished by all those who worked closely with him.
In light of this unfortunate incident, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is currently reviewing its K-9 training program to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The department aims to ensure the safety and well-being of its K-9 officers during training sessions.
In a separate incident occurring the same evening, a crash on Fish Hatchery Road in Lexington County led to the death of a Georgia man. The accident took place around 11:20 p.m. and involved three vehicles. A 2003 GMC Yukon was traveling south on Fish Hatchery Road when it collided with a 2013 Hyundai Elantra that was stopped at a stop sign on Pine Arbor Court. The Elantra attempted to pull out onto the road and subsequently struck the GMC, which then collided with a parked 2011 Chrysler 300 on the south side of the road.
Emergency responders transported the driver of the Hyundai Elantra, later identified as 40-year-old Samuel Andre Butler from Ludowici, Georgia, to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, Mr. Butler succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The Lexington County Coroner’s office confirmed that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The incident is currently under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which is examining the circumstances surrounding the collision. As the investigation continues, details regarding the drivers involved and further information from the authorities may help shed light on the tragic events that unfolded on Fish Hatchery Road.
These incidents reflect the dangers faced not only by law enforcement professionals but also by community members on the road. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department expresses its condolences to the family of K-9 Sam and the family of Mr. Butler as both communities grieve their respective losses.
As the sheriff’s department takes steps to improve the safety and training of its K-9 officers and the highway patrol investigates the fatal crash, both incidents underline the importance of safety in training environments and on the road.
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Additional Resources
- Philadelphia Union: CJ Olney Jr. Loan
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department News
- NBC News: Lightning Strike Injuries
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington South Carolina
- WISTV: Lexington Man Accused of Crimes
- Google Search: Lexington, South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
