Memorial Services for Audubon County k-9

April 9th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Law enforcement officers from across Iowa and as far south as Missouri converged on Audubon Thursday evening, to participate in memorial services for a K9 who died from injuries he suffered during an accident while he and his partner were responding to help Cass County Deputies with an incident on Interstate 80.

Audubon County K9 “Harry’s” ashes are contained in this special urn.

About a dozen K9 handlers assembled in the Audubon Memorial Building to paid tribute to K9 “Harry”, a Belgian Tervuren, who was euthanized March 28th.

Everyone in uniform saluted when “Harry’s” urn was brought into the room and placed on the table that held pictures of he and his partner, along with an American flag folded in a triangle. Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson acknowledged the presence of Harry’s fellow canine officers and their handlers.

Johnson mentioned the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 program started in 1993 with donations from the public. The County has had three K9’s since then, the cost of which has been paid for through drug forfeitures. Harry came to the department in 2010, as a one-year old. Johnson said was exceptional in narcotics detection. He said K9’s have been referred to as a “Well trained pet,” but Johnson said “Harry was no pet.”

He said he was a “Head strong and intelligent K9,” who was responsible for numerous drug busts, the recovery of more than $270,000 in drug money, and numerous arrests. He also had his mischievous side. Johnson said Harry tore up the coat of his handler while he wasn’t looking, and poked holes in Johnson’s winter jacket.

After Cass County Deputy Kyle Quist, himself a K9 trainer/handler, spoke about the way the animals become a part of the deputies’ family, Harry’s partner, Audubon County Deputy Shawn Young, tearfully read from the “K9 Promise.”

Harry’s partner, Deputy Shawn Young

He concluded by calling into Audubon County Dispatch, one final time, that Harry’s tour of duty, had ended. Young radioed “Audubon 5-6….this is the final call for K9 Harry…end of watch..March 28th, 2015…10-42.”