ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The recent killing of Rockford Police Department’s K9 Nyx has hit the department and community hard.
Two retired K9 handlers spoke about the relationship between them and their dogs. They also touched on just how important these police dogs are to the community.
“There were many people that we would have never found,” said Mark Honzel a retired RPD K9 handler.
“There are a lot of times I’m sure, that the dog protected the handler, [that] the handler is not aware of,” said Todd Mclester also a retired K9 handler.
Honzel and Mclester were both former Rockford Police Officers. They say that these dogs are so crucial to law enforcement.
“We can use all the techniques we have, but if that person just won’t come out or we think he’s in there, a lot of times sending the dog in is really helpful, because he doesn’t have to go by every door, and go in every room,” Honzel said. “He can run down the hallway and sniff the bottom of each door and you’re going to know if somebody is in there or not.”