K9 Kobus - Omaha Police Department - E.O.W. (End of Watch) January 23, 2016
Kobus was a nine-year-old Belgian Malinois who served Omaha as a K9 officer with (human) Officer Matthew McKinney. Kobus was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, January 23, 2016.
Officer Matt McKinney and Kobus receiving their first aid kit in June 2015 in memory of Officer Kerrie Orozco. Used with permission of Officer Bridget Fitzpatrick of Omaha Police Department, caption details from "We Ride to Provide" via Jenny Sutherland
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer released this statement,
Discipline and professional coordination was vital in bringing this incident to a close. I am proud of the deputies, officers and firefighters who worked on this extremely dangerous standoff. While there was no human loss of life during the standoff, the Omaha Police Department suffered the tragic loss of our K-9, Kobus.
Officer Matt McKinney and Kobus. Photograph by Phil Hodges. Used with permission of Officer Bridget Fitzpatrick of Omaha Police Department
"Kobus died in the line of duty in order to protect the lives of sworn law enforcement." -Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer
First Responders Foundation has set up a memorial fund in honor of Kobus:
Lost Pets of the Omaha Area has also set up a memorial fund in honor of Kobus:
Donations from both memorial funds will be used to support the Omaha K9 Police dogs and their handlers.
Kobus's colleague, Omaha Police K9 Falco, posted this sweet tribute to Kobus,
"I Wag My Tail" - A Tribute to OPD Police Service Dog Kobus by Falco, reprinted with permission
From the Omaha Police Department,
Thank you to everyone for your kind words, prayers and condolences. The Omaha Police Department considers every one of our service dogs as a big part of our "Family of Blue" and we are mourning Kobus as we would any of our heroes. We are currently working on plans for Kobus to be honored and they will be announced at a later date.
K9 Prayer via Tia Miller
Kobus, Omaha is forever grateful for your service and heroism.
We mourn your loss and hold your partner, his family and the entire Omaha Police Department in our hearts and prayers.