Shreveport Police Loses One of Their Own- K9 Cairo

Get our free mobile app

Shreveport Police announced on their Facebook page the sad news of the loss of a beloved K9 Officer, Cairo. 

We are sad to announce the passing of K9 Cairo. Cairo became a Shreveport Police officer on March 27, 2017 and immediately began training. 

Cairo served the City of Shreveport for over 5 years but in August of 2022, was forced into medical retirement following a shoulder injury.  Please keep our K-9 unit in your thoughts and prayers. 

K9 Cairo was put to rest yesterday evening just after 5:30 p.m. following a short battle with a severe illness. He was surrounded by all of his family and friends.  

We want to thank University Veterinary Hospital for their gentleness, kindness, and unwavering support for Cairo and the entire K9 team. 

 

The Shreveport Police K9 Unit had just suffered a recent loss this past summer when K9 Harrie died from a heat related illness after he and Sgt. Jeff Hammer were searching for suspected car thieves who ran away after a chase on June 24. Harrie and Hammer had worked together since last summer. 

History of the SPD K9 Unit

The Shreveport Police Department's K9 Unit was established after the 1987 slaying of patrolman Richard James Davidson. Officer Davidson was shot and killed while he and other officers searched the Kon Tiki restaurant on Youree Drive for a burglary suspect. The suspect shot him as he opened a door to the bathroom that the suspect was in. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers on the scene. Officer Davidson had been with the agency for three years. He was 23.

Sgt. Angie Wilhite tells KEEL News the Shreveport K9 officers are "dual-purpose" officers, used for narcotics as well as general purpose patrol officers.  The unit currently has 9 Handlers with 8 'working dogs.'  The department has been approved for another purchase to fill a vacancy.

There are 3 dogs that are retired that live with their handlers.  The Shreveport Police Department provides food, kennels, and veterinary care for all K9 officers.