Hammond Police K9 Handler Receives Tribute For A Fallen Hero
On Tuesday evening Protecting K9 Heroes organization made a special delivery to The Hammond Police Department.
President & Founder Staci Goveia of Protecting K9 Heroes honored Hammond Police K9 Jett and Handler Corporal Woods with a pastel painted memorial portrait of Jett by Mary Claire Villa, a thin blue line wooden cross by FiveNine Woodworking, and a memorial plaque consisting of Hammond Police patches, photos, an engraved honor plate, and hooks to hang his collar & leash on.
Last month on March 12, K9 Jett passed after a battle with cancer. Jett had served the City of Hammond and ultimately the entire “Region” for seven years. “Jett could be seen regularly at community events demonstrating his tremendous skills for children in the community,” Lt. Steve Kellogg of The Hammond Police said. “He will be missed as he was family to all of his brothers and sisters in blue,” Kellogg said on March 12. Corporal Woods told RNS today, he has been so humbled by the public outreach from across the country since Jett’s passing.
Woods didn’t know what to expect today when he was called into the Lt’s office. He was surprised to enter and see multiple wrapped gifts along side of 10 pizzas sitting there for the afternoon shift to enjoy.
Woods unwrapped each gift which made for an emotional moment and memory. One of the pictures added was a memory from one of the first trainings over water that was extra special to him. “This is absolutely amazing, I’m so honored by the love you showed my boy today,” Woods told Goveia. Woods said he has a special place in his home office this will be the centerpiece for right alongside of Jett.
