LAKE WALES, Fla. — K-9 officer Max was not only a canine, he was a protector and defender. Tuesday the Lake Wales Police Department and the group got here collectively to pay their respects to the fallen hero.
Law enforcement honors was given to the four-legged officer killed in the line of duty. Police officers remembering K-9 officer Max as a small canine with a giant persona.
“Max who was by far the smallest dog in the school showed no challenge was too great or obstacle too difficult to defeat,” stated Lt. Kenny Hill with Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Max joined the Lake Wales Police Department in 2015 because the eyes and ears of his handler officer Jared Joyner. During Max’s profession he had 516 documented deployments, together with drug searches, responding to alarm calls and finding lacking kids.
“Tracking bad guys, finding bad guys that’s also part of the job but there’s no price tag that you can put when you can put a baby back in a mother’s hands,” stated Sgt. Dale Hampton with Lake Wales Police Department.
August 3 can be the tip of watch for K-9 officer Max. The suspect in a home violence name, shot and killed Max who had apprehended him in the woods.
“We’ll always be grateful for K-9 Officer Max. For his service, for the smiles he brought, for being a part of the Lake Wales Police Department and for ultimately giving his life to protect his very best friend,” stated Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez.
Police returned hearth, killing the suspect. Officers paid tribute to the 7-year-old canine, saying his unconditional love and loyalty to officer Joyner was clear.
“There was something Max loved more than anything else in the world and that was his handler, Jared and going to work with him every day,” Velasquez stated.
In response to the general public outpouring of assist, the Lake Wales Police Department stated those that want to make a donation could ship a examine payable to “City of Lake Wales” with “K-9 Unit Donation” in the memo line.
Mail or ship to:
Lake Wales Police Department
133 East Tillman AvenueLake Wales, FL 33853