Fallen K-9 Officer Exo to be honored at memorial in Washington, D.C.

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Officer Exo, a Ok-9 unit killed within the line of responsibility final June, is to be honored throughout Police Week at our nation’s capital on Thursday.

Forward of the memorial, we’re looking again tonight at a few of his handler’s favourite moments with the pup as he served Pascagoula. The group got here collectively to say their goodbyes final 12 months.

“I’ve all the time been an animal lover, however I didn’t notice I used to be that near him as I used to be,” stated Officer James Prisock. “It took a toll on me for some time.

It was late final June when he and his Ok-9 associate Exo had been monitoring over a mile by way of the woods for an armed man on the run. He stated it was Exo who initially discovered their suspect, however on this case, with far lower than a reward.

Prisock says the gunman fatally shot the pup twice within the chest.

“The quantity of individuals that also come as much as me that I don’t know and inform me how sorry they’re for me and the way there’s simply no phrases to explain how they felt when all of it occurred, which means so much to me.”

Since Exo’s passing, the group donated bulletproof vests for the canine, offering handlers with a newfound peace of thoughts.

“The place Exo was shot and killed, he would’ve been protected had he had this vest,” stated Officer Prisock.

Whereas they will’t return in time, they will mark his reminiscence for generations to return.

“The canine’s title goes to be positioned on a memorial,” stated Police Chief Matt Chapman.

Chief Chapman is organizing the staff’s journey to the capital.

“The outpouring of individuals simply, you understand, I didn’t know individuals love canine that a lot,” he stated. “However, we’ve had, you understand, photos despatched, work of him.”

“It’s superb,” stated Prisock.

The memorial service may also embrace a wreath-lying ceremony to honor Exo’s reminiscence, together with many different fallen badged pups.

“All of our Ok-9s get this connected to us, and that’s in all probability why it was so exhausting, as a result of Exo was the identical manner,” stated Prisock.

He heads to D.C. on Tuesday for his closing salute to Officer Exo.

Nationwide Police Week occasions start Wednesday. This Police Ok-9 Memorial might be held on Thursday at 2 p.m.

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