Cop fosters a shelter dog to honor his fallen K9 partner
When a police officer passes away, friends, family, and co-workers gather to pay their final goodbyes. The same also holds for the K9 officers that serve at departments across the country. One German shepherd, in particular, touched the hearts of all who knew him. K9 Eiko, with the Lawrenceville Police Department in Lawrenceville, Georgia, sadly passed away at 8 years old after a battle with cancer.
Officer Humphries gets some devastating news
His handler, Officer Shawn Humphries, had gotten the devastating news that his beloved partner and companion only had a couple of weeks at best left to live. In a fitting tribute, Humphries and his family took Eiko to the beach for one last trip together. There they enjoyed the sun and spent the last few precious moments that they had left together as a family.
A beautiful funeral
Then Eiko passed away and he was laid to rest in a beautiful and solemn ceremony. The community in Lawrenceville was there to give Humphries and his family the love and support they needed. Devastated from the loss, Humphries mourned the death of his partner and friend.
Honoring Eiko
Then, the week following Eiko’s death and funeral, Humphries received word that the rescue group, Releash Atlanta, had rescued a German shepherd in Eiko’s honor. The dog faced euthanasia at the local animal control shelter after having been bit by a snake. He was surrendered to the shelter where he faced death.
Releash Atlanta founder Kristin Sarker at first was hesitant to add another dog to the many they already had, saying the rescue group did not have any room for another dog. Then she thought of Eiko and had a change of heart.
“We couldn’t help but think his life needed to be saved given the loss of my newest dog friend Eiko that I had met the week before. We named him Eiko in memory of Shawn’s amazing K-9.”
The Humphries offer to foster Eiko Junior
Surprisingly, Humphries and his family offered to foster Eiko, who they nicknamed Eiko Junior, or EJ for short. EJ had made his gratitude to the Humphries for providing him a home apparent on his first night there. The family texted a message to Sarker.
Instead of curling up in the doggie bed that the family had provided for him, EJ instead decided to curl up next to Humphries’ chair. This was the same spot that Eiko would curl up in after a long day at work.
Getting a new K9 partner
And while EJ’s stay at the Humphrey home is only temporary, Officer Humphries will soon be getting a new K9 partner. In the meantime, Humphries and EJ are enjoying each other’s company, at least until a forever home can be found for EJ.
Check out this video of Officers Humphries and Eiko in action.
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