Jacksonville community invited to honor fallen K-9 officer this week

Fang was shot to death while chasing suspect, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The owner of the Jacksonville Pet Funeral Home and Pet Memorial Park is giving the Jacksonville community a place to come out and honor fallen Sheriff’s Office K-9 Fang.

A suspected carjacker, Jhamel Paskel, shot and killed the police K-9 one week ago after a chase with police that ended at I-10 and Cecil Commerce Center Parkway, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Paskel was running from police when Fang's handler released him, and the dog was shot to death.

Starting Monday at 8:30 a.m., the public is invited to sign a memorial book in tribute to Fang that will be at the Jacksonville Pet Funeral Home and Pet Memorial Park.

There is also a monument people can visit, which is surrounded by six memorials. Fang's memorial will be going in the center. The American flag at the funeral park is at half staff in Fang's honor.

"Whether it is an active duty police K-9 or a retired K-9, we are here to honor any and all K-9s," said Jimmy Hughey, the owner of Jacksonville Pet Funeral Home and Pet Memorial Park. "When I heard about Fang on Sunday, it broke my heart."             

He said the community has already started showing support by dropping off flowers, pictures and other mementos for the fallen police K-9.

"They felt relieved that they could come be a part of this, and it really warmed my heart," Hughey said.

The public memorial book will be at 4969 Beach Boulevard in Spring Glen Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., but Hughey said people can come out to pay tribute at any time. 

At the end of the week, workers at the Jacksonville Pet Funeral Home and Pet Memorial Park will give everything that people  bring out for Fang to his handler and the K-9 Unit at JSO.  

A private memorial service will be held for law enforcement personnel and immediate family members and will not be open to the general public.    


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.