Law enforcement agencies honor life of Chelan County Regional Justice Center K9

CHELAN COUNTY — Agencies across Chelan and Douglas Counties gathered Oct. 9 to honor the life of Gambit, a retired K9 with the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, who died unexpectedly earlier in the week.

“This was unexpected and heartbreaking,” said Douglas County Deputy Jacob Lewis, formerly the K9 handler for the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. “Gambit had settled into retirement and became a family dog. He definitely took on and enjoyed the role of a full-time family member.”

A procession with law enforcement officials and K9 units traveled through south Wenatchee, concluding at Columbia Pet Service. Taps played as deputies lined up in support of the Lewis family as they mourned the loss of Gambit.

Lewis and Gambit played a key role in building the narcotics-detecting program in the local jail, while also inspiring other counties around the state to add canine programs in their own facilities.

Lewis became the jail’s canine handler in 2020 with another K9 named Kait, helping spearhead a new drug interdiction program, which aimed to use several tools, including canines, to keep narcotics out of the jail. After Kait’s passing, Gambit joined the program in 2023.

According to the county, Gambit came to the jail via the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC); Gambit was rescued from an abusive situation and donated to the DOC K9 program.

Lewis, who describes himself as an introvert, also got to work educating the public about the K-9 program, which is community funded. He became a pro at social media, public speaking and doing interviews with the media. With his dog, he attended community events around the county. He spoke at professional government associations and was featured on regional and national podcasts.

With Gambit by his side, Lewis helped raise awareness about the program through community events, media interviews and meetings with professional government associations. According to the county, Lewis was one of two municipal corrections canine handlers in the state when he started. When he left the jail, three canines had been added to three additional jails, with more on the way. Lewis also led an effort offering K-9 detection services to the local schools in both Chelan and Douglas counties.

Gambit and Lewis worked side by side for nearly two years before Lewis left the jail to become a patrol deputy for Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2025. K-9 Gambit retired with Lewis’ departure.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media