SLO County sheriff holds touching memorial for 2 retired K9 officers. See the video

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office held a memorial to “bid a final farewell” to two retired K9s on Wednesday, the agency said in a social media post that featured video of the event.

Retired K9 Jacco and retired K9 Gonzo were both laid to rest by their handlers, retired Deputy John Franklin and retired Deputy Mark Souza.

The two dogs were “cherished members” of the Sheriff’s Office family, the agency said.

Family, friends and past and present Sheriff’s Office employees attended the memorial, including several active K9 officers and their handlers.

The memories shared by Franklin and Souza “reminded us of the incredible bond between deputies and their K9 partners,” the agency said.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson also spoke at the memorial about the significance of the K9 program and “invaluable role these four-legged heroes” play in the Sheriff’s Office mission to protect and serve.

The dogs’ ashes were laid to rest by their handlers in marked gravestones at a special cemetery on a hillside at the Sheriff’s Office.

Gonzo and Jacco both worked as narcotics and patrol K9s.