A San Jacinto, California, police dog who died in the line of duty got a hero’s send-off Wednesday when hundreds showed up to his memorial.
“Sultan saved my life and several other officers’ lives that day,” an emotional Deputy Mark Wallace said.
Sultan was killed when he went into a crawlspace on Jan. 21 after an armed and wanted felon.
That felon was 36-year-old Todd Hodge, who shot Sultan in the neck when he entered the crawlspace after him. Hodge was killed by sheriff’s deputies after a 9-hour standoff when he emerged from a home with a gun.
The K-9 died on the way to the animal hospital. Before the Riverside, California, memorial, Deputy Mark Wallace, Sultan’s former handler, was escorted across San Jacinto with Sultan’s ashes.
Thousands of students from eight San Jacinto Unified School District campuses lined the fences as they drove by.
“What happened to him was a true tragedy,” one student told KESQ.
Sultan began his K-9 patrol in November 2013.
“Four-legged, two-legged, they’re all here for service for us,” resident Debra Harvey said.
During Wallace’s speech at the memorial, he tearfully said Sultan wasn’t mankind’s best friend, but his.
I remember when Sultan was introduced to the San Jacinto community, he was a part of the SJPD for a long time. It’s never easy loosing a furry Pal, sorry for your loss Officer Wallace. Thank you for your service officer Sultan, may you rest in peace. 🕊️🙏🏼🐕🦺😢