Second retired K9 officer dead weeks after leaving force
Published at | Updated at
IDAHO FALLS — The Idaho Falls Police Department has announced that Zeke, a recently retired K9 unit, died Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Zeke’s death comes just days after the death of K9 Unit Bart, a recently retired law enforcement dog with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. Both dogs were officially retired together on Dec. 30, at a celebration at the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue building in Idaho Falls.
Authorities say both dogs were retired for old age, but not for medical conditions.
Police spokeswoman Joelyn Hansen said Zeke was not put down.
“It’s just a weird coincidence,” Hansen said. “He was 11 years old, and he passed away from old age.”
Sheriff Sgt. Bryan Lovell said K9 Unit Bart died due to an unforeseen medical condition on Thursday, Jan. 7. He was also not put down.
Zeke had worked with his handler, officer Jeanette Johnson, on the force for nine years.
The police department released the following statement on Facebook about Zeke:
It’s with great sadness that we report that our recently retired K9, Zeke, passed away yesterday. He will forever be remembered as a wonderful and dedicated K9. He served the department nine years working closely with his handler, Officer Johnson. They were a dynamic duo.
