Clark County Sheriff K-9 Deputy Johnny Lemen is retiring from the Department after 15 years of service. Thanks to a newly enacted law that allows retiring K-9 handlers to purchase their partners, K-9 Yari will be retiring as well.

State Representative Kyle Koehler voted "yes" on Ohio HB 60, the law that allows Lemen to purchase Yari for $1 upon retiring. "We believe that this is simple, common sense legislation" said Koehler. "We are not talking about a vehicle or a used piece of equipment that needs to be auctioned off at the end of it's service life. It is a wonderful animal that has spent countless hours working with one officer. It only makes sense to allow the two 'officers' to retire together."

Lemen joined the Sheriff Department in 2001. In 2013, Lemen became a K-9 handler and was assigned Yari as his partner. The duo proved effective and began busting bad guys in Clark County. They quickly became part of the R.A.N.G.E. Task Force and were making arrests in Montgomery and surrounding Counties.

Soon after partnering with Yari, Lemen was able to apprehend a murder suspect and numerous bank robbery suspects. Yari is also responsible for tracking many suspects and restraining them for arrest.

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said it is significant to note that Lemen and Yari are responsible for taking $3 million in drug proceeds off the streets, including a traffic stop on Interstate 70, where Yari alerted to $750,000 inside the vehicle.

“In 2015, they took 30 guns off the street, recovered one stolen vehicle, pounds of marijuana, hundreds of pills, large amounts of heroin, cocaine, crack, and meth,” Kelly said. “So far in 2016 through April, they have made 65 arrests, recovered ten stolen cars, confiscated eight guns, and recovered over $27,000 in cash from the streets of Clark County.”

The two have won numerous awards, most recently the “Loyalty Day Award” from the Springfield VFW in May. “One cannot be recognized without the other, they are a team,” said Sheriff Kelly of Lemen and Yari.

Deputy Lemen is citing medical reasons for his early retirement, however, Lemen is working with Clark County Prosecutor Andy Wilson on acquiring the duo’s replacement. According to Lemen, Wilson’s Office has agreed to fund half of the bill.

County Administrator Jennifer Hutchinson joined Sheriff Kelly, Chief Deputy Doyle Wright, Sergeant Ronnie Lemen and Johnny’s wife at a bittersweet signing held on Friday morning where K-9 Deputy Yari was officially retired and turned over to Lemen for the price of $1.

Sheriff Kelly paid the bill for Lemen as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the duo’s years of service.