Deputy Kelli is a K-9 handler for BSO. She and her four-legged partner, Macie, a remarkable 5-year-old bloodhound, have been a team, working day and night for the past four years searching for missing children and adults.
We were moved to tears when we read her recent posting on Facebook. With her permission, we are sharing her memories from Thursday’s vigil in Parkland.
I took Macie to the candle light vigil in Parkland on Thursday night. I was not on scene during that horrific day but I needed to be there. I started my career in the City of Parkland as a public safety officer. (both police and fire certified) Yes, it was that small of a town. Eventually, I became a school resource officer and split my time between an elementary school and Stoneman Douglas High.
It still seems surreal to hear the President talking about Parkland and Stoneman Douglas. But I took Macie tonight (Thursday) to give whoever I saw a distraction from their new reality. I spoke with students, and first responders, who stopped, and for a brief moment forgot about the horror while giving love to a giant floppy-earred dog.
One student never even spoke, tears in her eyes, hands shaking, but she stopped bent down and spent a few peaceful moments getting some bloodhound love. Another former student stopped to ask me about being a K9 officer and how he wanted to be a K9 handler in the military, followed by how he is waiting for his friend to be released from the hospital because she was shot.
These victims, their families and let’s not forget the first responders have a long road to recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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