Warren County Deputies gather to say farewell to fallen K-9 officer

Dozens of deputies with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office came together Thursday to say farewell to a fallen K-9.

A memorial service for, Kane, a German shepherd, was held at the Warren County Courthouse. Kane’s ashes were on display, along with a framed photo. Many in the law enforcement community attended, including Warren County Sheriff, Jerry "Peanuts" Gaines, and Kaine’s handler, Aaron Poynter.

"It’s lonely riding around now," said Poynter, who had Kane for 6-7 months. "It wasn’t just eight hours a day. It was all kinds of time we spent together, whether playing ball or training. He was a member of our family."

Kane died last April. When Poynter returned home one evening, he found the dog in its outdoor pen distressed. The dog was rushed to a veterinarian, but it was too late. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office believes Kane died as a result of foul play.

"It’s something that’s incomprehensible," said Poynter.

At the memorial service on Thursday, Taps was played, in addition to an end of watch call over the deputies radios.

"We’ve had four dogs (at the Sheriff’s Office). All of them are different. Kane is the only one that actually liked me," said Sheriff Gaines. "I came by and he wouldn’t bark at me. He was on a lot of things, like narcotics and tracking people down. He was a special dog."

Poynter knows better than anyone how special Kane was.

"It’s a bond like no other," said Poynter. "That’s who I’d talk to when we’d spend eight hours together."

Discussions are ongoing to place a permanent memorial for Kane outside the Warren County Courthouse.