Monroe K9 officer gets safety kit, leash and collar at 2017 K9 Memorial

03/10/2017 Sharon Swanepoel Police and Fire 0

Ashley Campbell, of Ashley’s K9 Stuff, hands over first aid kit and leash to Dimiti Kakavelakis for Monroe Police K9 Officer, Billie, and her handler, Officer Nina Lee. Contributed photo

Once a year there is a special event that takes place only in Georgia. It is the annual K9 Memorial that honors fallen K9 officers. This year’s event, the 9th Annual K9 Memorial, took place last weekend in Porterdale, Ga. A local company, Ashley’s K9 Stuff, used the occasion to donate a K9 first aid kit, leash and collar to Monroe Police Department’s K9, Billie, and her handler, MPD Officer Nina Lee. They were not able to attend the event, so Dimiti Kakavelakis accepted the presentation on their behalf.

Tim Campbell, co-owner of Ashley’s K9 Stuff with his wife, Ashley, said the annual event is organized by Porterdale Police Chief Jason Cripps and his wife, Holly.

“This was their 9th annual We Ride to Provide K9 Memorial Event and 56 K9s were remembered,” Campbell said, going on to describe the solemnness of the occasion honoring these K9 heroes. “Gwinnett Fire Honor Guard presented colors and led the K9 Down missing K9 formation. There also were pipes and drums present.”

Ashley’s K9 Stuff sponsored the memorial items and dinner for Villa Rica K-9, Nitro, and his handler. In addition to organizing the annual memorial, We Ride to Provide also provides safety equipment that departments may not otherwise be able to afford.

Photos were taken later of Monroe K9 Officer Billie with her handler.