Pinellas County Sheriff's Office honor fallen K-9 officers at annual memorial

police K-9 Officer
The headstone of fallen K-9 Officer Hector at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Pet Cemetery. Photo by Leah Burdick

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office honored its fallen service dogs during the annual K-9 memorial. During the memorial, officers shed tears as they shared their favorite memories of K-9 officers Reggie and Hector.

Retired Deputy Brad Byers said Hector saved his life while on duty together.

“At the time you’re all pumped up on adrenaline, but you think and after the fact, There’s a reason why you’re here and it’s bigger than us. So that was God’s plan you know or else I wouldn’t be standing here talking,” Byers said trying to hold back tears.

Byers said when they retired, Hector became a part of the family.

“Hector became Jen’s dog. He became a great family dog. He loved his kong and he was very calm. He was so calm that he could live with his grandparents when we went on vacations,” Byers said putting his sunglasses on to cover his teary eyes.

Byers said it was an honor to remember those moments while paying tribute to Hector at the memorial.

Lt. Mike Kilian shared memories of his K-9 partner, Reggie, who died last February. Like Hector, Reggie became part of the family after retirement.

Kilian described Reggie as an escape artist with a soft side.

“He forced me to hold his hand for every game. He would be pushy about it. He would be halfway on my lap and hit me with his paw. If I didn’t hold his hand he would be like come on. We literally held hands and watched Lightning games so many times. To be honest with you, after he passed away, as the Lightning season was going on I could not watch a game,” Kilian said.

He said these dogs work very hard up until they retire, but at the end of the day they are just big loving babies.

“When they retire they become a part of the family. Thank you all for coming out here,” Kilian said.

Amanda Eddinger is the Sergeant of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit and she shared her favorite memory of Hector.

“Back in 2018 I had to work with K-9 Hector and that dog did not want to go out for anyone, except for his handler. So that was a good show in front of all the guys. This big dog who didn’t want to let go of anything, just threw me around like a rag doll,” Eddinger said while laughing.

Eddinger said K-9 units are essential to law enforcement operations.

“Whenever a suspect or missing person leaves on foot, the K-9 units are the ones who go out and look for these people,” she said.

When the memorial concluded, attendees had the opportunity to meet the K-9’s currently serving Pinellas County

K-9 officers Reggie and Hector may be gone, but the paw prints they left behind will remain in the hearts of the deputies and families who loved them.

PCSO K-9 Unit. Photo by Leah Burdick