Fallen K-9 police officers were remembered Saturday morning as “We Ride to Provide” hosted its Ninth Annual National K-9 Memorial event at the Porter Memorial Gymnasium in Porterdale.
Holly Cripps, wife of Porterdale Police Chief Jason Cripps, summed up the emotions of many at the ceremony when she quoted a phrase often credited to Queen Elizabeth: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
The love that these officers feel for their fallen K-9 partners was obvious to everyone in attendance.
Fifty-six fallen K-9 officers from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada were honored as law enforcement from around the state and country, along with private citizens, came out on a brisk, sun-drenched morning to pay their respects. Forty-four of the fallen K-9 officers were from Georgia.