WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A West Valley City automotive shop has released photos of its custom artwork for the casket of fallen Herriman Police K-9 officer "Hondo."
"What an honor it was to paint a hero’s casket," a Facebook post from Rawtin Garage said.
Hondo, a Belgian Malinois, suffered a gunshot wound to the sternum while working to capture a wanted fugitive in Salt Lake City last week.
Hondo worked alongside Sgt. Ben Ricks for around five years. Together, they made more than 100 felony arrests and seized hundreds of pounds of drugs.
Rawtin Garage told FOX 13 that they had worked with the department before building their bikes.
But this was a very special project for John Ward, the owner of the shop.
"Each of those logos means something," Ward said. "The blue line means something. The portrait means something. You want to show his personality — the sparkle in his eyes, his little floppy ears, you know, those are all unique to him.”
K-9 Hondo’s memorial is scheduled for Feb. 29. FOX 13 will continue our coverage on his memory.
