The Boise Police Department announces a new K9 officer to serve in the stead of Jardo, who died after a shooting on the Boise Bench last year. It's been almost five months since Jardo was killed and the Boise Police Department says they are working to do more to protect their four-legged officers. Edo is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix from Slovakia. Ed as they call him, is training to search for drugs and catch criminals.
"Edo is defiantly the type of dog were happy to have, he's got a great personality, he's got a good drive to work and we think he's gonna be successful as soon as he's able to hit the field," said Sergeant Kirk Rush of the Boise Police Department.
Edo is coming in to fill the hole that was left by Jardo. Jardo and two human officers were shot on the Boise Bench by a wanted man last November. While both human officers survived, Jardo died days later. Boise police say they are working to give their K9 officers more protection while out in the field, possibly even equipping them with bulletproof vests of their own.
"That discussion is still ongoing, once we're able to come to a conclusion on how we are going to handle that in the future we'll let you guys know, but for now that's still in discussion," explained Sgt. Rush.
Just like many at the Boise Police Department, Corporal Shane Williams who was Jardo's handler and now Edo's, is looking forward to introducing Edo to another officer who is still recovering from injuries sustained in the shooting. Corporal Kevin Holtry is paralyzed from the waist down and lost a leg in the shootout. He is undergoing rehab at a Denver hospital.
"So he's really looking forward that and we're looking forward to get Kevin back home as well," said Sgt. Rush.
They hope Edo is ready to hit the streets this summer. Once he passes a state certification test, the Boise Police Department will have a total of seven k-9's.
