Savannah Police holds memorial service, hopes to ‘never forget Horus’

SAVANNAH, Mo. — The Savannah Police Department held a service for the fallen K-9 officer Horus today, September 7.

“I think it went off well and showed honor to our fallen K-9 officer,” said Savannah Chief of Police David Vincent.

“We just thought he had fit our department, and he did. So, we chose him. He’s been around my grandkids. Great dog. Great dog.”

According to a report from the Missouri Highway Patrol , Lieutenant Zeigler and Horus returned to Zeigler’s house after an overnight shift around 5 a.m. on June 20th. Horus had been left in Zeigler’s police car during the day , and by the time Zeigler called Chief Vincent around 6 p.m., Horus had died of heat exposure.

The high temperature at Kansas City International Airport on June 20 was 88 degrees.

“I’m still worried about Horus’s family,” said Chief Vincent.

“They’re grieving, our department is grieving and hopefully today helps with that process and will move forward and never forget Horus.”

The report continues to say that Zeigler’s car was outfitted with the AceK9 system , which activates when temperatures in the car reach 90 degrees. The system rolls down the back windows, turns a fan on and causes the car to honk.

It’s unclear if the system was active on June 20. The report says that the system was functional and that the system would have had to have been deactivated manually in order not to deploy.

Lieutenant Zeigler was charged on Thursday with a Class A misdemeanor for animal abuse.

“We’re all upset. I mean, it’s again, it’s part of our community,” said Savannah resident Heather Spicer.

“I love this town, I’ve lived here all my life. It’s a great town to raise family and everybody knows everything. Obviously, that’s how the rumors all got started and everybody found out about this.”

She says that she thinks Zeigler’s charges should be raised.

“If it was me? I’d still be in jail. If it was me? I’d have a felony charge,” she said.

“Somebody killed an officer. If I killed an officer, dog or person, I would be in jail.”

Jamie Marcum, a fellow resident of Savannah agrees.

“I do not feel a Class A misdemeanor is enough,” they said.

“Everyone needs to acknowledge their part in what happened instead of placing the blame on the next person. Nobody wants to say I messed up and it’s just very disturbing.”

“What happened to Max’s law?” asked Spicer.

“Max’s law just went through. We should be holding him accountable for that law that just went through,” she said.

In July, Max’s Law was signed in Missouri. The law increases penalties for injuries caused to a law enforcement animal, and under the law, assault that results in the animal’s death should be charged as a class D felony.

The next line in the law says, “Exemptions to the offenses of agroterrorism, animal neglect, and animal abuse shall not apply to the killing or injuring of a law enforcement animal while working.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.