Retired PCSO K-9 Chief crossed over the rainbow bridge on Friday, February 27, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a legacy and a handler who continues to shape and mold future canine teams across the state.
The Sheriff’s Office purchased the two-year-old German Shepherd from @SouthernCoastK9 in New Smyrna Beach in 2014. Chief became K-9 Deputy Sheriff Steve Heiser’s third and last partner. Deputy Heiser uses the word “Chief” all the time, so he felt the name was appropriate.
Chief became a certified bomb detection dog and a patrol apprehension fur missile. Together, the team worked until Chief retired in 2019. At that point, he became the Heiser family pet, along with Buddy the Jack Russell, and they enjoyed many years of traveling and camping. Buddy preceded Chief across the rainbow bridge just three months ago, so we know that they are once again frolicking and getting lots of heavenly belly rubs and treats together.
One highlight of Chief’s career was searching every person, every bag, and every piece of equipment that arrived at the Lakeland airport in 2016 when a Presidential candidate came to visit (we bet those reporters enjoyed having all their stuff sniffed!).
Steve Heiser retired as a deputy sheriff in 2022 but remains certified as a K-9 evaluator for the state of Florida. His knowledge and expertise, which Chief helped shape during his career, are invaluable.
We’d like to thank the VCA Lake Wales Animal Hospital and especially Erin, for helping the Heiser family when Chief passed away (and for all you do every day for our canines!).
Thank you, Chief, for putting bad guys in jail, keeping our citizens safe, and for your many years of service to the people of Polk County.