MERIDIAN, Idaho — Successful, highly-driven and a big teddy bear – all words to describe K-9 Riddick – a Nampa police K-9 who died in the line of duty on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Hundreds gathered Tuesday at the Idaho K-9 Memorial on the grounds of the Idaho Peace Officers' Memorial to honor K-9 Riddick's life, and show their support to the Nampa Police Department.
“I hope you know how many smiles you gave kids when they got to say hello to a four-legged hero,” Nampa PD Lieutenant Brad Childers said.
Nampa PD’s K-9 unit was at the service, as well as several therapy dogs to show their support.
“He truly was a special dog,” Childers said.
Childers said Nampa PD has received support and words of condolences from 24 states across the country in support of K-9 Riddick.
“It's just another eye-opening moment that how far this story is reached and how many different lives it's touched,” Childers said.
Childers said Riddick will not be forgotten, and each handler in the Nampa PD K-9 unit will receive a pen with Riddick’s engraving on it. Riddick’s name will also go up at the Idaho K-9 Memorial at ISP in Meridian.
“This is a tough day for a lot of us, but it’s also a chance for us to move forward,” Childers said.