There’s something about police/military dogs, or K-9s, that seems to transcend man’s typical bonding with dogs. The very real sense that such animals are conscious of their role as public servants and forces for good likely has something to do with it. While that may be classic anthropomorphism, try telling that to the men and women who serve with these extraordinary animals. But duck quickly if you do.
The deep bonds and measures of respect felt for K-9s by their human colleagues was displayed last week in the End of Watch ceremony for Jullo, a 9-year veteran of the Will County Forest Preserve Police Department.
According to a post on its website, Will County Forest Preserve Police gave the beloved K-9 a honorable sendoff last week, complete with lines of squad cars and 10 other K-9s.
“Jullo was surrounded by family, friends and neighbors,” said Tracy Chapman, the Forest Preserve’s deputy director and public service administrator.
After retiring In 2020 due to severe arthritis, Jullo, a German Shepherd, lived with his handler, former Forest Preserve Police Sgt. Dean Klier who now works for Plainfield police.
“We all huddled in the garage as the rain came on and off,” Chapman said of the ceremony. “The residential street was lined with squad cars with their lights on. There were about 16 officers there, and 10 other K-9s.”
In his final hours of life, Jullo found two hidden items as he was trained to do.
“Dean and other handlers verbally praised Jullo as he got his last reward,” Chapman said. “Dean, his two daughters and his wife, Lauren, were visibly upset as Dean carried Jullo into the awaiting veterinary ambulance. His wife and daughters joined him in the back of the ambulance. The officers and their K-9s waited silently in two lines in the steady rain, as Jullo was put to rest.”
During his time on the police force, Jullo served as an ambassador, sniffed out a burglar and starred in educational videos.
In addition to helping catch a burglar in Beecher, Jullo assisted several neighboring police departments looking for illegal drugs. He tracked a bank forgery suspect in Mokena, and he assisted in numerous drug arrests. Jullo also appeared, along with Klier, in a “Don’t Be A Jerk” series video designed to get dog owners to the follow the rules while using Will County forest preserves.
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