FISHERS, Ind. – A K9 handler’s wife delivered a heartfelt message during a tribute for a police service dog earlier this week.
Hundreds came to pay their respects to K9 Harlej of the Fishers Police Department on Wednesday night. Harlej was shot and killed while tracking two suspects involved in a car chase.
The main gym at Fishers High School was packed with law enforcement officers and K9 handlers representing agencies from across the state. K9 Harlej’s handler, Jarred Koopman, did not speak at the service but his wife, Kim, did. She moved people to tears with a reading of the account the night Harlej was killed, WTTV reported.
“You wait for both of them to come home together,” Koopman said during the heartfelt message. “So, when your husband calls you at 3:30 in the morning and starts the conversation with, ‘I am okay but Harlej is gone,’ a part of you crumbles. The loss feels unbearable.”
Harlej selflessly served his community until his dying day on November 13.
“Harlej, there are no words one can say for how one little pup could impact so many people,” Koopman said through her tears. “For the countless lives that you saved today, and for the loyalty and love you shared with your guy and us your family. It has changed us.”
Harlej, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed while tracking suspects a few weeks ago. Officer Jarred Koopman had served as his handler since Harlej joined the department in 2015.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a procession took place to George Kehl Police Station in the city of Fishers.
