HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The Harris County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office says one of their K9 officers, K9 Boni, died following surgery for a twisted spleen.
“He was tough, brave and serious,” said Constable Alan Rosen. “We are grateful for all he did to protect the people of Harris County and are reminded of the crucial role such highly trained dogs have in public safety.”
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Boni, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, was trained in Hungary and joined Harris County Pct. 1 in 2019.
His name came from a Hungarian word meaning “good” or “kind.” He obeyed commands in Hungarian, English, and hand signals — and could even walk backward on command, according to Rosen.
“Shortly after joining the team, Boni made his first capture, tracking a suspect who had fled a crash and was hiding under a wheelbarrow. It was the first of many. Boni went on to assist in hundreds of arrests and drug seizures alongside his handler, Deputy JP Hernandez,” Rosen said on Facebook.
Boni was one of eight active K9s in the unit and the second lost in the line of duty.
“You lose your best friend — a big part of me is gone,” said Deputy Hernandez. “I was blessed to have him.”