The Winnipeg Police Service has dedicated a touching memorial to honor the nearly 80 police dogs that have served the city since the canine unit's establishment in 1971. The memorial, unveiled on Wednesday, features a bronze sculpture titled "Forever Faithful" created by California artist Susan Bahary, positioned beside the canine unit building at 77 Durand Road on the grounds of the police service's east district station.
Police Chief Gene Bowers emphasized the deep bond between officers and their canine partners during the unveiling ceremony. "These dogs were not just part of our team, they were our protectors, our companions and our family," Bowers stated. "They stood beside their handlers without hesitation, facing danger head-on to keep Winnipeg safe. These partners have searched for the lost, tracked the dangerous and protected officers in the moments when lives were on the line."
The memorial features four granite pillars engraved with the names, badge numbers, and years of service for each dog that served in the unit. The pillars include space for future engravings to accommodate dogs who will serve in years to come. "Each name on the columns represents service and sacrifice," Chief Bowers explained during the dedication ceremony.
A unique pathway of 436 engraved stones leads visitors to the bronze sculpture, with each stone bearing personal messages from citizens and corporate partners who donated to support the memorial project. Two-year-old Eva Reinus and her grandmother Judy Tyndall were among the first visitors to explore the new memorial outside the canine unit kennels.
Winnipeg Police Inspector Eric Luke, who commands the specialty units division including the dog unit and formerly served as a dog handler himself, spoke about the extraordinary partnership between officers and their canine companions. "From the first day of training to the last day of service, each canine gives all of their heart, their full devotion and, ultimately, their entire life to the handler and the citizens of Winnipeg," Luke told the gathered crowd.
Patrol Sergeant Justin Casavant, who spearheaded the memorial's creation, explained that the memorial garden demonstrates that "the dogs mattered." The project, which began construction during the summer, was originally conceptualized in 2016 and required years of planning and fundraising to bring to fruition.
The entire memorial was funded through public donations and various community fundraising efforts organized by the police department and supporters. These fundraising activities included the sale of calendars featuring police dogs, stuffed toy police dogs, perogy sales, and the sale of the commemorative memorial stones that now form the pathway to the sculpture. The community's generous response enabled the police service to create a lasting tribute without using taxpayer funds for the project.
