By Brianna Atkinson, Colleen Hammond
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
RALEIGH, N.C. — “Santos was a good boy.”
The K-9, who was shot and killed while on duty in May, was remembered fondly by his handler and others Wednesday during an emotional memorial service in Raleigh.
Bagpipes droned as a wall of Wake County Sheriff’s Officers, including the German shepherd’s handler and companion, dressed in black in a processional into the Kerr Scott Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
Officers from around the county gathered to honor their fallen, four-legged friend.
K-9 Officer Maria Fuentes, Santos’ handler, gave a tearful eulogy of her beloved dog, referring to him as a “social butterfly.” She spoke fondly of memories of Santos playfully running through her yard, playing with her nieces and nephews.
Fuentes frequently paused to collect herself as she became increasingly emotional.
“In the blink of an eye, my heart was broken instantly,” Fuentes said. “Santos had crossed over the rainbow bridge.”
The ‘strong’ bond between an officer and K-9
Sergeant Jason Bordeaux, head of the K-9 unit, remembered Santos as a successful and good working dog and talked about the relationship between handlers and their partners.
“The bond between a dog and a handler is really, really strong,” Bordeaux said. “We go to work, they go with us. We go home, they’re with us. So there’s 24 hours a day we’re with this dog.”
During the recessional, Fuentes carried Santos’ ashes in a wooden box with Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe by her side.
Outside, a line of handlers and their dogs from 14 neighboring units stood in honor of Santos. To their left, officers from Wake County saluted as their K-9 team led Fuentes to her car. Sirens then rang as police motorcycles rode in front and behind Fuentes, escorting her away from the service.
The service followed a community member and police officer memorial drive that was held for Santos last week in Raleigh.
“Santos is not a piece of equipment, is not a tool, is not property – but is a valued, beloved member of the Wake County Sheriff’s office,” Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said during a press conference in May. “(He) was well-trained, well-conditioned and had a desire to serve and protect just like every member of this office.”
What happened when K9 Santos was shot and killed?
Santos, an 8-year-old Wake County sheriff K-9 was accidentally shot and killed on May 26 by a Knightdale police officer. Santos had served in Wake County since 2016 and was the longest-serving dog in that department.
Fuentes and the dog were on patrol together for five years before transferring to the narcotics team.
Santos died following a traffic stop on North Smithfield Road around 12:30 a.m. During the stop, the driver allegedly ran from police.
During the search for the suspect, Ravon Williams, 21, of Knightdale, a 31-year-old Knightdale officer accidentally shot Santos. Santos was rushed to N.C. State Veterinary Hospital where he died from his injuries.
“This is really a heartbreaking tragedy,” Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps said during a press conference in May. “The remorse and the level of grief that is felt by our officers and our deputies is real, it is palpable.”
The Knightdale police department is conducting an internal investigation into the police officer, who is on administrative leave.
During Wednesday’s memorial, Fuentes spoke of her feelings about the shooting.
“I chose the path of forgiveness,” she said.
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