North Charleston K9 Joker Dies of Cancer

K9 Joker, a Belgian Malinois who seized more than 50 pounds of marijuana and two kilograms each of fentanyl and cocaine during five years with the North Charleston Police Department, died Thursday from melanoma. He was six years old.

Joker died surrounded by his handler, Cpl. Braden Reid, and members of the K9 Unit. Veterinarians had diagnosed the dog with melanoma in 2025 and surgically removed a tumor. Tests showed no remaining cancer, but scans last week revealed the disease had returned and spread rapidly. Veterinarians determined the cancer was terminal.

Joker joined NCPD on February 24, 2021, and was born in Hungary on December 5, 2019. Reid became his handler that same day. During his career, Joker helped remove more than 30 illegal firearms from North Charleston streets and located and apprehended five violent suspects. Police Chief Reggie Camacho recently recognized Joker and Reid for apprehending two homicide suspects minutes after they committed the crime.

Reid will grieve before the department considers assigning him a new K9 partner. NCPD operates multiple K9 teams trained in narcotics detection, patrol work, and suspect apprehension.