K9 Hondo – Lamar, Missouri

Died – 1/6/23
Handler – Deputy Toby Luce

Last Ride for retired K9 “Hondo”

Friday morning, January 6, 2023, was the Last Ride for retired Lamar Police Dept/Barton County K9 “Hondo”. K9 Hondo had served the Lamar Police Dept with Deputy Toby Luce, now a Barton County Deputy, from 2012 to 2021. Upon Hondo’s retirement in June 2021 he remained with the Luce family.During Hondo’s nine years of service he assisted in the seizure of more than a 1,000 grams of marijuana, 4,000 grams of meth, and numerous weapons. And also Hondo was able to help train his replacement, K9 “Tosca”.Due to health issues the tough family decision was made recently to euthanize Hondo. “K9 Hondo’s last ride. K9 Handlers from surrounding agencies assisted and came to show their support! Thankyou for your service Hondo! You will be missed by many!” Barton County Sheriff’s office state in a release of information. There is an unwritten brotherhood of K9 officers across law enforcement. Numerous agencies across county and state lines came together to escort Hondo and Deputy Luce on the Last Ride to Central Pet Care, 224 West Central.The police escort caught up with Barton County Chief Deputy Justin Ehrsam and Deputy Luce at Jasper, Mo. they continued traveling south on I-49 including these departments:
• Barton County Sheriff’s office
• Jasper County Sheriff’s office
• Joplin Police Dept
• Newton County Sheriff’s office
• Carthage Police Dept
• Lamar Police Dept
• Nevada Police Dept
• Pittsburg Kansas Police Dept
• Cherokee Kansas Sheriff’s office
“Hondo Buddy to say you will be missed would be an understatement. As I lay here trying to get some much needed sleep, I look back at all the posts and pictures that were made today and realize how much of an honor it was to be your handler, partner and friend for these blessed 11 years. You have protected me more than once on the street and even in retirement you watched over the house and guarded the family while I was at work. You were one of the best! Now run free and chase tennis balls all day. Remember you have to share with all the other great K9’s who have gone before you! Love ya Buddy !! Thank you to Billy Wade photography and all the Officers, Deputies, and K9 Handlers who helped Honor Hondo!”

Tags

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.
| Old Memorials | Site Map
Copyright © 1973 - 2024 Louise Krause Memorials to Fallen K-9's Hosted By PC-GEEK Site Maintained BY Jim Cortina