Community hosts candle light vigil to honor K9 Horus

Kendra Simpson, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read
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Jun. 30—A candle light vigil was held Sunday evening in honor of the K9 dog, Horus.

The Savannah Police dog died June 20 after completing an overnight shift. According to Police Chief David Vincent, Horus died after being left in a vehicle overnight.

The community gathered Sunday to honor the K9 officer with a candle light vigil. Along with donations to M'Shoogy's Animal Rescue and the National Police Dog Foundation, attendees also held a peaceful protest at the courthouse after the vigil.

But organizers say the best way the community can help is to keep talking about it.

"Just spread the word," Event organizer Jamie Marcum said. "Keep sharing posts, keep commenting, staying engaged with what's going on. We're not going to let it stop overnight and we're not stopping until something has happened and justice is served.

The vigil happened to fall on the third anniversary of the K9 Max's passing. His handler, Officer Lucas Winder, attended Sunday's vigil as a show of support.

"I think it's the stars certainly align and God said 'hey, we're going to put this together this day for a certain reason,'" Winder said. "It just kind of tells the tale of these dogs are faithful and loyal to the end. So we should honor and respect them."

In response to many requests, the vigil was live streamed for those not in the Savannah area.

Andrew County Prosecutor Monica Morrey said the Missouri Attorney General's Office will serve as special prosecutor and an investigation is ongoing.

Vigil organizers asked the community to not antagonize the Savannah Police Department or at all hinder the investigation.

"They work with us totally on a weekly basis for 40 years helping us rescue animals in life threatening situations...I could tell you about hundreds and hundreds more (animal rescues) over the last 40 years that they've done," Co-founder of M'Shoogy's Gary Silverglat said. "As tragic as this is, I hope it's not a black eye to any of our law enforcement guys because they know how much they feel about this."