Anonymous donor steps in to buy headstone for fallen Missouri K-9 officer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Frustrations continue to grow following the death of a Savannah Police Department K-9 officer last month after he was left in a hot car overnight.
According to Savannah Chief of Police David Vincent, K-9 Horus died on June 20 following the completion of his overnight patrol shift in the small town where he had served his community for over three years.
Vincent says this continues to be an open investigation.
Since K-9 Horus’s death, the community of Savannah and many others have been expressing their outrage and seeking justice for the loss of the young German Shepherd’s life on social media, including frustration after he was buried with no marker.
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Vincent responded on social media on Wednesday saying “the resting place of our K-9 officer is a work in progress. The area looks less than desirable currently due to dirt work and clean up of the area.
A temporary marker has been ordered and will be placed as soon as it arrives, according to Vincent.
A makeshift memorial at the burial site of Horus has been created by members of the community.
“His resting place will always be maintained by city staff and will be a place of honor, Vincent continued. “The police department was informed that Horus was not able to be placed in the cemetery due to laws restricting this. We have since learned that it is possible if an area is designated for people and their pets. The Savannah cemetery does not currently have such an area designated. If in the future that changes and it is feasible we will make every effort to move our friend to a more suitable location.”
Vincent says at the time of Horus’ passing, time was not on their side and a decision had ot be made sooner, rather than later.
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” I know this has upset many of our citizens, but please believe me that none of this was done to disrespect our K-9 Officer, or diminish his service to this community,” Vincent said. “Horus was a great asset to our department and the community. I trusted this K9 around my grandchildren and they adored him. I am upset and angry about what happened to Horus as everyone else is.”
Vincent says he has been unable to discuss the circumstances of the incident while the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducts its investigation into the incident.
“I hope the community understands there is a process in place to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the death of K-9 Horus is investigated, and that process will take time,” he continued.
The police department announced Wednesday afternoon that an anonymous donor has offered to purchase a permanent headstone for K-9 Officer Horus and is in the process of being ordered.
The big questions many people want answered in this case are whether the police officer and caretaker of Horus will be held accountable in a Missouri court of law, if the police department will reprimand or revoke the officer’s law enforcement license, and if the officer accidentally or intentionally killed the K-9.
The Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney Monica J. Morrey has taken on the case and told FOX4:
“The Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened to learn of K-9 Horus’ passing. We are grateful to him for his service to our community. I have requested a special investigation through the Missouri State Highway Patrol. I will await the results of this investigation prior to making any determination of necessary action.“
Although the investigation is ongoing, a bill was recently sent to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk called Max’s Law. It was created after a St. Joseph K-9 was killed in the line of duty in 2021 and would increase penalties for injuring and killing animals in law enforcement.
It states that if a law enforcement animal is assaulted and dies, the person responsible could face a Class D Felony charge in the state of Missouri.
A Class D Felony is the second-lowest class of felonies in the state and could lead to a prison sentence of no more than seven years, one year in a county jail or a court-imposed fine of up to $10,000.
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The name or status of the law enforcement officer responsible for K-9 Horus’s death has not been revealed, nor has there been an explanation for his tragic passing.
Stay tuned at FOX4 for the latest updates and information on this case.
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