Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

How terribly sad!

Rest in peace Kela!

Michelle - wife of US Marshal

October 7, 2014

You were a brave and faithful servant and I am so sorry that your death was so painful and horrific. I hope lessons were learned from this very tragic incident. Go run free and play because your job here on earth is done. God Bless and Godspeed sweet Kela.

Lisa B.
GEORGIA CIVILIAN LE SUPPORTER

October 6, 2014

R.I.P. brave K9 Kela.

P/O R. Popelka #7903
Chicago P.D.

September 21, 2014

This was a series of tragic mistakes that could have been prevented, but with that said K9 Kela served her department well and is now free to run in the tall grass in heaven. I pray that her ultimate sacrifice will be noted and not forgotten. So that future K9's that follow in her foot steps will be taken care of to prevent another accident. Rest in peace K9 Kela !

Former Sgt Joe Covington M/C #4926
Corpus Christi Police Department

September 21, 2014

IN MEMORY OF K9 KELA

To the family, friends, and colleagues of K9 Kela:

From the beginning of time after Cain killed his brother, Abel, there has been a need for law enforcement officers to protect the weak and to bring evildoers to justice. This work is necessary in a sinful world and is dangerous. In 2014, some fifteen law enforcement canines have already sacrificed their lives to protect their handlers and the citizens of this great nation. Today, we honor the sacrifice of K9 Kela, of the Duplin County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office, who died in the line-of-duty of heat exhaustion after accidently being left in her handler’s patrol car overnight.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of K9 Kela. She died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of K9 Kela and honor her sacrifice. Be with the family, friends, and colleagues of this fallen hero. Comfort them and give them your strength. Guide those who seek to take care of the family of this hero. May those empowered to do so, care for them with integrity. In commemorating the death of this hero, help those who mourn to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition to the glorious life to come. Dogs do go to heaven! They should look forward to that life to come with joy and thanksgiving.

As for the citizens of Duplin County, North Carolina, help them to faithfully equip their law enforcement officers and canines with the best tools to protect their county. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of Duplin County, North Carolina, to remember to fund their law enforcement canine programs adequately and treat their canine heroes with respect. Help the citizens of Duplin County, North Carolina, to obey the law and treat each other with dignity so as not to add to the burden of crime and pain to their county.

The time for mourning will soon pass. We have now remembered and celebrated the life lost in this great tragedy. As the family, friends, and colleagues of K9 Kela go forward, they must celebrate the good things in their lives; and to celebrate life itself! K9 Kela’s death was an unfortunate accident from which we must all learn. These canines serve us with unconditional love and are a significant investment to our law enforcement agencies. We must not forget our responsibilities for their care and welfare.

Finally, Lord God, we pray for the families, friends, and colleagues of all the law enforcement officers and canines who have been killed in the line-of-duty and we thank you for their sacrifices. Bless the lives of their families, friends, and colleagues so they might find healing. Help their law enforcement organizations support the families of these fallen heroes. Even though their deaths might have been senseless, make something good come out of these situations so that their law enforcement organizations and the communities in which they lived and served might be stronger because of their lives and their deaths. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Now, may the Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.

In His Service,

Chaplain Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

Chaplain Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department

September 20, 2014

My sincerest sypmathy to the Dupling County Sheriff's Office for the loss of K9 Officer Kela. Run free to the bridge K9 Kela, join the others who have gone before you...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

September 20, 2014

Kela, may you enjoy your new home in Heaven.

Captain (K9)
North Pekin Police Department

September 20, 2014

RIP K9 Kela. Thank you for your service.

Prayers for peace for your handler and his family.

Amy
Civilian, Reno, Nevada

September 20, 2014

Rest in peace Kela!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

September 20, 2014

R.I.P K9 Kela. How sad and tragic!! Thank you for your service, dedication, loyalty and sacrifice. Prayers to your handler, you will once again meet at the Rainbow bridge.. until then run free sweet girl.

Lisa
Family Member - New Jersey LEO's
Pompton Lakes, NJ

September 19, 2014

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

September 19, 2014

Aww, sweet baby. Rest In peace. What a very sad accident. Hugs for her handler..

Julia
MA state police family

September 19, 2014

RIP Kela

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 19, 2014

Rest in peace, K9 Kela. Thank you for your dedicated and loyal service to your community. Your ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. Prayers for your handler and Duplin County SO. Godspeed, Hero.

Kathy B
Grateful Citizen

September 19, 2014