Finner at services for late K-9 officer: 'We’re standing as a family'

The Houston Police Department (HPD) held a memorial service on Friday for a canine (K-9) officer that perished inside its handler’s patrol unit earlier this week. 

HPD said K-9 Aron died from heat exhaustion on Monday, adding the death was accidental, according to a report from Houston Daily.

The 4-year-old Aron was on the force for nearly one-and-a-half years and was a common fixture at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) where the K-9 worked as part of the bomb-sniffing unit.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the late animal worked alongside Sergeant Clint Mayo, who spoke at the ceremony at the Houston Police Academy L.D. Morrison Sr. Memorial Center at 17000 Aldine Westfield Rd.

“And I know someone may say, ‘Why are we having this ceremony? It’s just a dog,’” Mayo said in the report. “And I say we’re not here just to honor a public service animal. We’re here to say goodbye to a friend."

According to KHOU, Aron’s unidentified handler received the U.S. flag from Chief of Police Troy Finner. 

“We’re here and your family, we’re standing as a family,” Finner said, the station reported. “It’s a difficult time. I ask everyone to respect that." 

The handler remained quiet throughout the service, but was greeted with lots of support, per KHOU.

Houston is currently in the throes of temperatures soaring past the century mark, with Aron’s former workplace, the city’s so-called “Big Airport,” having experienced the failure of its air conditioning (AC) system, Houston Daily reported.

Airport officials attributed the breakdown to “unexpected issues” that purportedly occurred on June 11.

Per HPD, Aron’s death was accidental and his handler should’ve been alerted immediately after the engine in his vehicle shut off.

KHOU reported that HPD is investigating the incident and the alarm vendor the agency has a contract with is inspecting the backup system in all K-9 squad vehicles to ensure other dogs don’t suffer the same fate.