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HERRIMAN — A solemn tribute was paid Saturday afternoon to slain police dog Aldo, a 5-year veteran of the Unified Police Department shot and killed by a fugitive in late April.
The street in front of Herriman High School was lined with American flags and community members tied blue ribbons to trees in honor of the Belgian Malinois that was the steadfast companion of officer Luis Lovato.
Police officers, their families and dozens of members of the community turned out for the service honoring the K-9 that was killed killed after searching out and finding a fugitive sought for ramming a police car.
The April 27 shootout in Millcreek left the man critically injured before he succumbed to gunshot wounds a few days later.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder said the tribute was a fitting send off for a valued member of their police family and a way for Lovato and other members of the police community to begin to heal.
"These animals understand what is going on in the handler's heart and mind without speaking a word," he said. "They simply go and they do and they ask no questions. We are here to honor nobility that knows no fear."
Winder spoke fondly of his own days in the K-9 unit and the unwavering loyalty and bravery he witnessed from animals that don't flinch, don't pause, or second-guess themselves or a situation.
"No human can do what these animals do and they do it every day," he said.
Aldo was a decorated, accomplished K-9. He took first place as the Top Narcotics Dog in 2014 in a Las Vegas competition and racked up multiple other awards for his abilities.
A table with a guest book for visitors displayed those awards, as well as a cast of his paw print memorialized for his handler.
There were plenty tears, but some smiles, as people heard about Aldo's bravery.
Afterward, Ara Holt, cradling a baby outside Herriman High School, said she came to pay her respects to Aldo — like she has done before at funerals for policemen killed in the line of duty.
"My husband is a corrections officer at the jail," she said. "I thought it only appropriate to come pay our respects to Officer Lovato and Aldo."
Eric and Audrey Ann Gilzean took time out of their Saturday to attend the service as well.
"We honor and respect not only the handlers, but their dogs," said Audrey Ann Gilzean.
Eric Gilzean said their own home is "ruled" by a yellow lab.
"We're big animal lovers and these dogs perform a great service," he said. "It's a crazy world out there."
