CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The police department in Circleville is mourning the loss of their K9 handler.
Officer Erick E. Eberhard took his own life Sunday, according to law enforcement. He had been an officer with the city since 2020. That year, he was paired with Serge, the city’s newly-acquired K9 dog.
Eberhard, 40, was found Sunday evening at his home. The Pickaway County Sheriff’s office is conducting a routine investigation into the suicide. The officer did not leave a note, according to investigators.
Eberhard had been under criminal investigation by law enforcement for allegations of misconduct earlier this summer. The details of what kind of wrongdoing he was being accused of was not released, but the case had been handed over to the county prosecutor for possible charges.
Eberhard was hired by the city in 2020 after he applied for the posting online. He had been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and had previously been a K9 handler. He once served as an auxiliary at the New Holland Police Department for a brief period in 2017.
As the K9 officer for the city, Eberhard and Serge had a lot of success. They had taken countless pounds of drugs off the streets, and locked up dozens of criminals.
Serge is in the care of Circleville Police after the tragic loss of his handler, and he will remain as a member of the police department.
“Serge is a Circleville Police Officer loved by the CPD family,” said Chief Shawn Baer. “After we have time to grieve and process what has happened officers will have an opportunity to request being assigned as Serge’s partner. The interested officers will go through a selection process and one officer will be assigned as a new handler. That handler will be trained and certified through the state with Serge. This is a common practice with police K-9’s and is successful especially with young dogs like Serge. Right now though our priority is to simply take care of Serge and be his family through our loss.”
The chief said mental health is a challenge in law enforcement.
“Communication and compassion. It takes more strength and courage to be open, vulnerable, and willing to talk about how you feel. Law Enforcement needs to be an example to the communities we serve as well as other officers to get help when needed by trained professionals to ensure we have healthy home and professional lives.”
Eberhard had a turbulent history. In 2016, he was a corporal at the Pickaway County Sheriff’s office, until he was charged and plead guilty to assault and resigned his job. The case was later sealed from his record.
Counselors have been assigned to the Sheriff’s office and police department to assist in grieving for Eberhard’s former co-workers.
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This article was updated to include quotes from the Chief of Police.