PORT ANGELES — Wearing varying shades of blue and gray, 120 law enforcement K-9 handlers stood with their dog partners behind the stage at Monday’s memorial service for Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks.
Billy Renfro, Bremerton police K-9 officer, said attending the service was a way for the handlers to not only honor Fairbanks’ work as a law enforcement officer, but also as a K-9 handler.
K-9 officers, Renfro said, are a tight-knit group.
“Only they can understand the amount of effort and dedication it takes to be a K-9 officer,” he said.
“It’s a big family.”
Attending the service were 10 of the 40 Forest Service K-9 handlers. They had traveled from around the country to be there.
Tom Lyons, Forest Service special agent-in-charge, said Fairbanks was a well-respected dog trainer who had successfully tracked more than 1,000 suspects.
“I saw the pride and professionalism [with] which she handled her K-9,” he said.
Though they did not know Fairbanks, four K-9 handlers with the Okanangan Sheriff’s Office said they came to the service because, as law enforcement officers and K-9 handlers, they are part of the same family.
“To us, she is one of our own,” Sgt. Gene Davis said.
“We want to honor Kris. We are here to honor her life, not the tragedy.”
