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Police Hold Funeral For K9 After He Was Killed In Line Of Duty

Police Hold Funeral For K9 After He Was Killed In Line Of Duty

RIP Smokey

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

They say dogs are a man's best friend and oh boy don't they mean it. Especially in Oklahoma where this police dog was given a send off fit for a king.

Smokey the K-9 officer was killed in the line of duty when a woman allegedly opened the door for the dog to jump out. As Smokey leapt into action he was fatally hit at the road side.

The entire community seemed to come together to mourn Nowata Police Department's 'lost brother' on 6 September.

There was a police escort, a fire engine with the US flag draping from it and the roadside was lined with locals and their pets.

Smokey spent his 'entire life serving the community', according to News On 6.

Facebook/Nowata Police Department

Smokey's partner, Jeramiah Frauenberger, told News On 6: "It's meant a lot to me, it's really boosted the morale, not only for me but for the whole police department."

K9 officers and their handlers from more than 10 different law enforcement agencies came out to support Jeramiah and Smokey.

Jeramiah Frauenberger.
News On 6

Taking to Facebook, Nowata Police Department, said: "A dog or a K9, whichever you prefer, knows love and it knows service. It serves his handler because of love. The handler serves his K9 because of love.

"The K9 does what he's trained because of that desire. The K9 doesn't bite or track out of anger, ill will, vengeance, or retribution. The K9 does not know those feelings. They know to do what they're trained.

News On 6

"Every single one if these dogs have a personality all their own. Those who train or work with animals know this. Some people are closer to their animals than they are people because of this reason.

"An Officer and his K9 partner share a bond that only those in their shoes can understand. Not being a K9 handler, even I cannot understand the bond.

"But it's not for me to understand, it's something to envy. To appreciate. To have a bond like that, is unbreakable, even in death."

Shoshone Hicks.
Nowata Police Department

Shoshone Hicks was the woman who opened the door for Smokey to get out of the car. She has been arrested and faces possible felony charges, according to ABC Tulsa.

Chief Mike McElhaney said: "Before he could even exit his car she opened the door up and the K9 got out. I don't know what her thinking was."

Smokey, a three-year-old Labrador, was with his handler for more than a year before his death.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Facebook/Nowata Police Department

Topics: Police, News, Animals