LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office honored K-9 Arlo with a memorial service Tuesday afternoon, after the dual-service dog died of a heart attack during training in October.
The ceremony included lights, sirens, presentation of colors and flag honors for the seven-year-old Belgian Malinois who served the agency for four years.
“This K-9 served this community like any other officer wearing a badge would have done,” said Michael Daniel, staff sergeant over the K-9 unit.
Sheriff Kelly Rowe said Arlo’s dedication was apparent from his early training, even before joining the agency in 2021.
“It got to the point that Arlo was so wore out, but not willing to quit, that he literally crawled back to his handler on all fours. He didn’t walk, he didn’t run, he crawled back because of the dedication that it was going to become soon clear that he was going to have,” Rowe said.
Corporal Eubank was Arlo’s first partner in 2021, then Corporal Stephen Hastings became his partner in 2022.
“Whether tracking a suspect, detecting danger invisible to others, or standing as a reassuring presence at Corporal Hastings’ side, Arlo made a difference. His work saved lives,” said County Judge Curtis Parrish.
Arlo was the sheriff’s office’s longest serving K-9 at seven years old. During his four years in Lubbock, he contributed to 125 surrenders, apprehensions and arrests.
The K-9 helped seize more than $315,000, more than 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 10 kilograms of cocaine, 195 pounds of marijuana and nearly 1,000 pounds of other drugs including fentanyl and THC.
“When you look at just those stats alone and what those mean to us, as a community, what it means to the safety of this community, to the public health of this community, and particularly in the case of fentanyl, the risk of death to this community, that is no insignificant series of statistics,” Rowe said.
Daniel said the relationship between a K-9 and handler is unique.
“I’d say like a best friend bond, but you think about spending more time with that dog than you do with your family, with your wife. I mean, he’s with the dog 10 hours a day, five days a week. On top of it, home, he’s got to take care of the dog there. So realistically, we spend more time with these animals than we do with our own family,” Daniel said.
Rowe said Arlo protected Lubbock with skills and senses humans don’t have. Daniel said the dog was in good health and set to retire next year before his death.
“With a dog with that high of a drive to work and to serve, honestly, I’m not surprised that he died in service rather than retiring quietly, sleeping on a doggy bed and passing away in his sleep. This dog, he passed away doing what he loved to do,” Daniel said.
A memorial wreath is on display until Monday in the lobby of the sheriff’s office near Broadway and Avenue F for anyone who wants to thank Arlo for his service.
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