Memorial service planned for K-9 left in hot patrol car

CELINA, Ohio (WANE) - A memorial service has been scheduled for a Mercer County K-9 officer killed when left in a hot patrol car.

Organizers have planned a candlelight service and eulogy in the dog’s honor.  The event will be held at the Celina Dog Park at 7:00 p.m. Monday.  The park is located at the end of West Bank Road near the state park.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own candle and are welcome to bring leashed dogs.

The German shepherd named Zak was found dead Wednesday in an unattended patrol car left without running air-conditioning parked at the Mercer County Sheriff’s office.

The Sheriff’s Department completed its investigation into the death and the dog's handler, Deputy Chad Fortkamp’s actions.

The details of the investigation will be released during a press conference Monday morning.

Sheriff Jeff Grey announced members of the department would not attend the memorial service for Zak in order to avoid distraction.

Grey issued the following letter in regards to the event:
 

Due to the very high emotions surrounding the death of K9 Zak, I have communicated with the organizers of this remembrance, Lori Taylor and Maria Suhr, that the Sheriff's Office employees will not be attendance. Both were very understanding of my position and I assisted them by providing a bio of Zak and a statement from me.

I decided that the circumstances of Zak's death and with the announcements to come on Monday morning, that our attendance may be a distraction. Lori and Maria have the best of intentions and I admire their role in organizing this and encourage the community to attend.  The Sheriff's Office is planning a private remembrance for our employees only. 

Since the announcement of Zak's death, my office has been inundated with hateful phone calls and emails from across the United States. It is disappointing that citizens of this great country would resort to those tactics.  While constructive criticism and frustration in what happened is everyone's right, I was certainly taken back by the hateful nature of some.

Lori and Maria want to celebrate and remember Zak and my concern is that my attendance or attendance of members of my office may incite some who disagree with my decision on Monday. I will be happy to share my statement that will be read at the remembrance.

I just felt that the citizens of Mercer County deserved an explanation from me and Zak deserves a Vigil without distraction.

Thank you. 

Jeff Grey
Mercer County Sheriff