Police dog Figo stopped to pay respects at the coffin of his slain partner Jason Ellis. The Kentucky police officer was shot and killed on Saturday May 25 in what Today.com calls a "suspected ambush."
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The photo of the police dog paying respects at his partner's coffin has gone viral. Being led by another officer the German Shepard, Figo stopped at Ellis' coffin and placed his paw on the casket, leaning his head to one side and looking down.
According to the Lexington-Herald Leader, Ellis was laid to rest on the seventh anniversary of his taking the oath as a police officer in Bardstown.
Ellis was killed after he pulled over to clean up debris on the side of the road. Figo was not with him at the time, Yahoo News reports.
Police officers from Chicago, Pennsylvania, Ohio and parts of Kentucky as well as other K-9 unit officers all attended the funeral of Jason Ellis. Figo was not the only police to pay respects at Ellis' funeral.
The Lexington-Herald Leader said that over 60 police dogs were in attendance and all barked and howled when the guards fired the 21 gun salute honoring Jason Ellis.
Yahoo News reports that the Bardstown police chief, Rick McCubbin, paid tribute to Ellis and vowed to catch his killer.
"I am your chief, Jason but you're our hero and you need to know this chief will not stand down. Jason my friend, rest easy. We've got it from here."
The image of the police dog paying respects at his friend's casket tugs at your heart. The photo was first posted on Reddit.com. The image received hundreds of emotional and heartfelt comments. One comment via Today.com said,
"Dogs can actually smell when someone or something is dead and it gives them closure."
Dogs are called man's best friend for a reason, and it is believed that dogs and other animals have an understanding of mortality, death and grief. The heroism of dogs is the subject of books and movies, like Balto and Hachi. Dogs are fiercely loyal and will endanger their own lives to protect their family.
Bomb sniffing dogs in Afghanistan are targeted more than soldiers. The terrorists know to take out the dogs first in order to prevent them from finding bombs. A job in which they are highly successful.
Leroy Williams a Petty Officer Second Class and K-9 handler in Afghanistan told the Seattle Times,
"Your emotions go down the leash. Your dog feels everything you are feeling."
In a recent report from Latin Times, a dog who survived the deadly Tornado in Moore OK stood guard over his owner's dead body for hours until police came to check the area. It would seem the bond between owner and dog is unbreakable, even by death.
It might be safe to say that officer Figo and his partner were close and felt a kinship. The image of the police dog paying respects at the coffin of his partner might be one that stays with you for a while.
After Jason Ellis was killed, Figo was retired and now lives with the Ellis family. Office Jason Ellis leaves behind a wife and two young sons.
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