I just found this on Facebook. Artist BZTat, who has volunteered to paint a portrait of Jethro for the Davis family, sat with me at the funeral today. She told me she had a great photo of a handler canoodling with his dog in the parking lot. She apparently took it home and “art-i-fied” it. Beautiful!
Her caption: My artistic rendering of a Parma PD officer and his K-9 partner Tyrone in a poignant moment of bonding at the memorial for fallen K-9 officer Jethro. The human animal bond is so strong and intense between man and beast in the K-9 corps. Canton loves it’s canine heroes and their human handlers. We are so thankful for both. We are also thankful for the heroes that patrol cities beyond Canton who came to pay respects today. Thank you all for your service. #RIPJethro #canineheroes #herodog #jethro #bztatart
Upon leaving the main room at the Civic Center, we were able to meet Shiloh and Rosie, dogs brought to Canton by Lutheran Church Charities to provide comfort to the mourners. Rosie is from Columbus, Ohio, and Shiloh travelled in from Dixon, Illinois. Continue reading A Few Last Photos from K-9 Jethro’s Memorial Service→
When we finally got inside the Civic Center, the floor area was set up for law enforcement only, while us commoners were asked to sit in the stands. I’m guessing there were well over 200 officers and at least as many non-law enforcement people there to pay their respects.
Playing on a large screen on the stage was a montage of photos and videos of Jethro with his handler Officer Ryan Davis and the entire Davis family. The other dog you might see in some of these photos is Armin, Ryan’s partner before Jethro. In the background, you can hear them playing the song “All Gave Some; Some Gave All”.
When we first left the parking deck at the Canton Civic Center, which is across the street from the Player’s Guild, we passed a large group of people from the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders. They were all standing outside on this cold morning, holding American flags, in honor of Jethro.
We had arrived at the funeral about 40 minutes before the doors were to be opened, standing in line with hundreds of others.
Police car after police car rolled into the lot. One woman was asking those of us standing in line to sign a poster demanding “Justice for Jethro”.
A mounted guard rode up and stood in formation for awhile.
I attended Jethro’s funeral this morning and will be working throughout the afternoon to clean up the photos and videos I took so I can post them. For now, here is the program from the VERY moving service.
Kelontre Demorious Barefield of Cleveland appeared before the Canton Municipal Court today, where numerous charges were added to his docket.
He originally appeared on January 9th and was charged with aggravated burglary and assaulting or harassing a police dog – as a 4th degree felony. Continue reading Bond Set for Jethro’s Shooter→
The Canton Police Department regrets to report that K9 Jethro passed away this morning. He was shot multiple times while searching a building for a burglary suspect early Saturday morning. The suspect is in custody.
Not that there’s any new information here. I thought there would have been when I promised to share it.
Many people on Facebook have expressed an interest in what sort of punishment the shooter will receive. Although there are federal statutes that specify harsh sentences for killing a federally-employed K-9, the rules here in Ohio are pretty weak.
BZ Tat at work on another pet portrait. Photo: Sue Steiner
I wanted to link you to a post honoring Jethro from a friend of mine, pet artist BZTat.
She is much better than I am at capturing the enormity of the loss our shared city experienced today. And she’s an awesome artist, to boot! She has volunteered to paint a portrait of Jethro for the Davis family. I hope they take her up on it!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
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