By SALINA POST
It is with a heavy heart that the Salina Police Department announces the passing of one of our canines, K-9 Tyrann. Ty was lost on Sept. 18, while on-duty in an accidental fall from an elevated position. Ty was an active and faithful public servant, serving since February of 2021.
Please join SPD to honor and celebrate the life of K-9 Tyrann October 8, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 118 North Ninth Street in Salina.
According to a statement released by SPD, there have been recent social media posts in reference to the tragic passing of SPD K-9 Officer Tyrann which according to SPD are absolutely untrue.
In order to be transparent, the Salina Police Department wished to make the public aware of the situation in a timely manner even prior to completing a thorough investigation, so a preliminary release was distributed.
Officers were on the top story of the Salina Regional Health Center parking garage, 400 block of South Santa Fe, for a recruiting advertisement when the K-9 Handler allowed Ty out of the vehicle to relieve himself.
This location was very familiar to Ty and his Handler which had been used on multiple occasions for training. Ty went around a parked vehicle and his handler went to check on him and discovered the tragedy.
According to SPD Cpt. James Feldman, a parade on Santa Fe alerted Ty. When he attempted to see where it was coming from and he jumped over the wall. Ty fell from the fourth story of the parking garage.
According to a realease from SPD, Tyrann was never placed on the ledge or asked to get on the ledge.
Ty was highly trained, but still a dog. Ty was a respected and beloved member of the Salina Police Department and no member of this department would ever place him in a needlessly dangerous position. His loss has greatly affected the Salina Police Department and the community he valiantly protected every day.
The Salina Police Department wishes to thank the community for their support and condolences while we grieve and navigate this devastating event.