Fallen K9 Hondo to be buried in a customized casket after being shot in the line of duty
All across the U.S., K9 units put themselves at risk serving their communities. Sometimes the dangers of the job result in injury or even death. When a K9 police officer falls in the line of duty it has an impact on the community in which they serve. When K9 Hondo, with the Herriman Police Department in Salt Lake City, Utah was fatally shot, the impact of his death was felt immediately.
Honda is shot in the liner of duty and passes away
Hondo, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois had been a member of the Herriman Police Department since 2015. He was shot while trying to apprehend a fugitive. Suffering a gunshot to the sternum, he passed away after he was taken to a nearby veterinary hospital.
“These animals are not just pets. They’re a part of our family, they’re a part of our law enforcement family,” Police Lt. Cody Stromberg told Law Enforcement Today. “And we grieve for their loss in the line of duty the same as we would an officer. Tragically, when a K-9 loses their life it’s because they did their job.”
Contacting a local business to make Hondo’s coffin
In remembrance of Hondo, the Herriman Police Department contacted Rawtin Garage. The company had previously worked on the department’s motorcycles before. The department now had a special request of owner John Ward, could his company make a customized casket for Hondo’s funeral.
“We had a lot of pressure,” said Ward. “I think the call came in Wednesday night. And they said, ‘Hey, we’re bringing in a casket tomorrow morning.’”
Hondo receives a customized casket
Ward and his employees worked tirelessly to personalize the casket, painting Hondo’s face and various insignia on the outside of the casket. After working through the night and into the morning, the team finally had the casket ready. They focused on Hondo’s face, which Keith Eccles, who works with Ward, drew by hand while looking at a photo of Honda.
“In a weird way, it was kind of a spiritual experience,” said Eccles. “You feel like, by the time you’re done, you really got to know Hondo.”
Features of Hondo’s coffin
Other features of the custom coffin include the Herriman City Police K9 insignia as well as a K9 paw. Rawtin Garage did the work for free, Ward said, figuring it was the least his company could do.
“Hondo was a special dog. A great dog. And we all love dogs,” said Ward.
Hondo was a valued member of the Herriman Police Department
K9 Hondo and his handler Sgt. Ben Ricks was one of the top K9 teams in Utah, according to the Herriman Police Department. The K9 played a part in over 100 felony arrests and helped in the removal of hundreds of pounds of narcotics off of the streets in his community.
Watch this video with more on the response of community members to Hondo’s death and their efforts to remember this fallen hero.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.