Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
FINAL FAREWELL
Hundreds attend memorial for K-9 Cigo at Coral Sky Amphitheatre
As an emotional service for Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Cigo commenced, hundreds of attendees filled the seats of the Coral Sky Amphitheatre Thursday while over 70 police dogs barked from the lawn.
Three-year-old K-9 Cigo was part of a team responding to reports of two suspects wanted for attempted murder who were spotted at the Mall at Wellington Green on Christmas Eve. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, when deputies approached the suspects, one of them — 28-year-old Giovany Alvarez — fled. Cigo’s handler, Deputy Ryan Soriano, released the dog to pursue Alvarez, who shot at deputies, striking Cigo. The German shepherd was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but died from his wounds.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said while Cigo’s death was tragic, "remember, the dog did his job and he saved those officers’ lives.”
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation hosted the memorial service for Cigo at the amphitheater at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. Deputies and officers from the Miami and Boca Raton police departments, and Broward, Martin and Pasco counties’ sheriff’s offices were in attendance to pay their respects.
At the entryway, an American flag was suspended from two Palm Beach County fire-rescue trucks and the smell of barbecue wafted over the parking lot.
A memorial was set up just past the gates with pictures, flowers and plush dolls with a table for a guestbook nearby.
“I want to thank all of you in attendance,” Soriano said in his speech at the ceremony. “I'm amazed and humbled by the outpour of love from those in our profession as well as the public. What a magnificent animal Cigo was.”
He said the dog embodied “loyalty, teamwork, courage, fighting spirit.”
“I think I speak for all handlers,
in that the joy and love experienced with our K-9s far outweighs the pain of their passing,” Soriano said.
Bradshaw introduced Cooper Kline, a boy who wrote a letter to Soriano when he heard that Cigo had died in the line of duty.
“Dear Deputy Ryan, I am sorry that your dog got shot,” Kline said. “Thank you for keeping me safe. Thank you for your service. Your dog did a lot for the world. Don't worry, you will get a new buddy. Keep up the good work. I will keep praying for you to do good. Keep arresting the bad guys and one day I hope I can meet you and your new dog.”
Following Kline’s reading of his letter, Bradshaw played a short video compilation of news reporting from the night Cigo was shot and said they were awarding Cigo with the office’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor.
“It was a lovely note and we all feel that way,” said Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig. “We want to honor this dog’s service. It could have easily been the officer or one of our residents if it wasn’t for this dog.
“I’ve had a few animals pass away, but this was more than a dog,” she said. “This was an officer and they handled it like losing an officer, which is appropriate, and I was glad I was able to be there.”
Tim Browning, of Indiantown, said he and his wife made the one-hour drive to the ceremony to show his respect to Soriano and the sheriff ’s office.
“We’re very proud of the deputy and Cigo,” he said through tears. “Keep up the good work. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.”