Orlando police K-9 remembered as ‘an awesome dog’ after unexpected death
Semper, the Orlando Police Department K-9 that died suddenly Tuesday, was a work dog.
He helped authorities make more than 100 “catches” over his six-anda-half-year career, both by apprehending suspects and detecting narcotics.
“He was always the type of dog that wanted work, work, work and you could tell he wanted to please his handler,” OPD spokesman Sgt. Eduardo Bernal said.
But he was also friendly and energetic — “one of the more social” police dogs at OPD, Bernal said.
At agency barbecues and other community events, Semper was good with children. When OPD participated in teach-in events at Orange County schools, Semper was brought along to help officers teach students about policing.
“He was an awesome dog all around,” Bernal said.
Semper was one of the agency’s 14 K-9s, and was just a year old when he began working for OPD. The seven-year-old dog died unexpectedly from a heart-related issue, Bernal said.
“As one of the department’s Belgian Malinois, K9 Semper served the citizens of [Orlando] with Courage, Pride, and Commitment,” OPD said on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, with an accompanying photo of Semper and his handler, Ofc. Brandon Tabaczynski.
The Fraternal Order of Police chapter that represents OPD also posted photos of the police dog on its Facebook page, assuring Semper, “We have the [w]atch from here.”
Condolences poured in on social media, from Orlando residents and other law enforcement agencies. Some shared short memories of the dog. Many thanked Semper for his service.
“We are so sad to hear this news. Thank you for your dedicated service to the Orlando Police Department, K9 Semper,” the Casselberry Police Department said on Twitter.
Police dogs have an average career of nine years, and their deaths are especially hard on their handlers, Bernal said.
“If you think about it, that’s their partner,” he said. “They spend 12, 13 hoursplus with the dog. It’s a constant bond between handler and dog.”