Holly MatkinForest Heights, MD – Forest Heights Police Department (FHPD) K9 Kuno died in the line of duty on July 2 after suffering heatstroke while searching for a burglary suspect inside a school.
K9 Kuno, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd mix, responded with his human partner to a request for assistance from the Prince George’s County Police Department in Morningside at approximately 3 p.m. on July 2, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
The PGCPD was searching a school building for a burglary suspect.
Temperatures were hovering in the mid-90s at the time, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
K9 Kuno began exhibiting symptoms of heatstroke about 15 minutes into the search, at which point his partner immediately returned him to their patrol unit.
He gave K9 Kuno water, but the police dog ended up collapsing several minutes later, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
K9 Kuno was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital, where he succumbed to his heat-related injury.
The FHPD confirmed his death in a press release later that night.
“It is with great sadness that the Forest Heights Police Department announces the tragic passing of K9 Kuno on July 2, 2023,” the department said. “K9 Kuno succumbed to a medical emergency while assisting our partner agency, the Prince George’s County Police Department, on a call for service.”
K9 Kuno was a member of the FHPD for four years and was the department’s longest-serving K9.
“We thank him for his loyalty and service,” the FHPD said. “We extended our thoughts and prayers to [his handler] A/Sgt. Grooms and the entire Forest Heights Police Department.”
Police escorted K9 Kuno’s body from Waldorf Emergency Care to Wade Funeral Home on Friday.
A Modified Over Watch for K9 Kuno will begin on July 5, 2023, at the Waldorf Emergency Veterinary Clinic at 3485 Rockefeller Court, Waldorf, Maryland 20602. Cruiser 425 will be draped in front of the WEVC until the procession on Friday, July 7, 2023. pic.twitter.com/ZJEVshFGLC
— Forest Heights Police (@ForestHeightsPD) July 5, 2023
Just a reminder. Morgan will be running tonight at 730pm at Lake Riviera MS in Brick to honor fallen K9 Kuno of the @ForestHeightsPD. Please come out and show your support. @VMMSMustangs @BrickTwpPolice @OceanCounty911 pic.twitter.com/PkIB6VgK1R
— Lauren (@LauRN74) July 7, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Forest Heights Police Department and Sgt. Grooms in the loss of K9 Kuno.
Sandy Malone
