SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — On August 11, the Slidell Police Department announced the death of a Slidell PD canine officer. According to the police department, K-9 Kano died in the line of duty on Thursday morning.
According to a social media post made by the Slidell Police Department, K-9 Kano and his partner Jake Morris responded to a crime scene and were searching for a suspect after being alerted of a suspicious suspect on the property of Alliance Bus Group, located in Frank Pichon Drive. When the officers arrived at the location the suspect fled the scene.
K-9 Kano and Sergeant Morris began tracking the suspect, and Kano eventually located the suspect hiding near a body of water. As the suspect was being arrested by deputies, Sergeant Morris noticed that Kano was acting lethargic and became ill. The canine was taken to the vet to be treated. Shortly after arriving at the vet, Kano passed away.
The hospital staff did everything that they could to keep him alive but were unsuccessful. Veterinarians discovered that Kano had undiagnosed cancer in his spleen which prevented his organs to recover properly from the stress and exertion of his duties.
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said “This is a tragic time for the Slidell Police family, especially Sgt. Jake Morris and his immediate family, as K-9 Kano is literally a part of the family.” Fandal announced that there will be a service for the canine. Kano will receive full honors.
A procession for Kano will take place on Friday, August 12 at 8 a.m., beginning at Pontchartrain Animal Hospital (4041 Pontchartrain Drive), traveling north on Pontchartrain Drive, continuing east on Old Spanish Trail, and ending at Unforgettable Pets (56324 Frank Pichon Road). Additionally, funeral services will be held at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, with visitation beginning at 10:30 am and services to follow at 11 am.
Officer Kano was an 8-year-old German Shepard, who served the citizens of Slidell since August of 2017. Chief Fandal said, “Kano was an instrumental part of the police department and served everyday with a drive that we all could only hope to match. He stopped countless crimes and was able to catch more criminals than he missed. My heart goes out not only to Sergeant Morris and his family, but to the blue family and all of our citizens who lost a hero today!”
