HCSO Explosives Detection K9 Roxy to Retire After Distinguished 8½-Year Career

After more than eight years of dedicated service protecting the Habersham County Courthouse and assisting law enforcement agencies across Georgia, Habersham County Sheriff's Office Explosive Ordnance Detection K9 Roxy is preparing for retirement.

The German Shepherd, imported from the Netherlands, has served alongside Lt. Eugene Kemp since joining the Habersham County Sheriff's Office on January 17, 2018. Together, the team has become a trusted resource for explosive detection, working countless assignments to help ensure public safety both locally and throughout the state.

During her career, Roxy has been called upon for several high-profile events, including assisting the U.S. Secret Service during President Donald Trump's visit to Atlanta, providing security support for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in 2023, SEC football games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, College Football Playoff games, the annual Peachtree Road Race, and numerous requests for assistance from other law enforcement agencies.

Throughout her career, Roxy has compiled an impressive record of service:

• 1,600 deployments

• 37,598 environments searched

• 19,991 rooms searched

• 7,832 vehicles searched

• 2,955 lockers searched

• 4,214 pieces of luggage searched

• 939 parcels and miscellaneous items searched

• Located two firearms

• Assisted 25 law enforcement agencies

  
  

As one of Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security's 83 Explosive Ordnance Detection K9 teams, Roxy and Lt. Kemp are specially trained to detect 22 different types of explosives, providing a critical layer of protection during public events, government operations, and security missions.

Roxy's final day of active service with the Habersham County Sheriff's Office will be Monday, August 31, 2026.

While her working days are coming to an end, Roxy leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to keeping communities safe. Her years of faithful partnership with Lt. Kemp have made a lasting impact on Habersham County and the many agencies she has served throughout Georgia.