Beloved Las Vegas Police K-9 Leico Dies at 10 After Battling Seizure
Published July 12, 2026
Las Vegas police K-9 Leico, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, has died after suffering complications from a seizure. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced the death Tuesday, July 7, in a statement posted to social media.
Leico served for eight years alongside his handler, Officer Sam Carrillo. The department credited the pair with 93 finds and nine apprehensions across patrol, SWAT, and major violator operations, reports Fox5 Las Vegas.
Beyond his police work, Leico served as an ambassador for LVMPD’s K-9 unit. He took part in demonstrations for officers and local schools, and he appeared at the Hispanic Citizens Academy, where the department said he helped build ties between law enforcement and the community.
LVMPD described Leico as energetic and social. He was a favorite among department employees, including dispatchers who regularly looked forward to his visits.
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The department thanked community members for their messages of support and condolences. LVMPD said Leico will be missed by Carrillo, the K-9 unit, and everyone who worked alongside him.
Leico’s death comes months after K9 Blady, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, claimed his third straight Top Dog title at Nevada’s annual multi-agency K9 competition.
Together, the two stories are a reminder of how much Nevada’s police dogs give, in the field and in the community, long before they’re asked to retire.
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