Toronto police procession honours fallen K9 Bingo, killed in the line of duty
Posted July 26, 2023 6:11 pm.
Last Updated July 27, 2023 11:39 am.
Officers from the Toronto Police Services (TPS) gathered early Thursday morning to honour Bingo, the K9 killed in the line of duty during a call in Etobicoke.
TPS invited members of the public to watch Thursday morning’s procession, which began with officers forming Honour Guard at the Emergency Veterinary Clinic at 920 Yonge St. around 7:30 a.m.
The body of Bingo was brought out of the clinic in a Canadian flag draped casket to a waiting police SUV.
Toronto Police gather outside emergency vet clinic on Yonge north of Bloor for End Of Watch procession for K9 officer Bingo the German Shepherd shot/killed during confrontation with armed suspect Tuesday night. This has shut down Yonge between Davenport-Belmont until 8am. pic.twitter.com/SFuguBd6Ld
— carl hanstke (@carlCityNews) July 27, 2023
Members of the K9 Unit carried the casket, including the fallen dog’s handler Sgt. Brandon Smith, who gave one last tearful goodbye. Smith and the German Shepherd worked and lived together, the pair were partners on the road after going through extensive training together.
Once in the SUV, the procession travelled northbound to Belmont Street and eastbound on Rosedale Valley Road to the DVP, en route to Guelph University for end-of-life veterinary services.
Multiple police units participated in the ceremony and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw was in attendance.
Sgt. Brandon Smith photographed with Bingo
Two-year-old Bingo was fatally shot after officers responded to an apartment building on Dixon Road near Kipling Avenue shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday in an attempt to locate and arrest a 44-year-old man for murder.
The province’s police watchdog said the man allegedly fled the property, shot at officers and was later tracked down in a nearby backyard. After the interaction with Bingo, police shot the suspect. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, where he remains.
“Certainly, this is a difficult time for our police force,” Duty Insp. Jeff Bangild told reporters Tuesday night. “The K9 unit attends scenes daily with responding officers. They’re family.”
The Ontario Premier was among those to comment on Bingo’s death.
“As an animal lover, I was very saddened to learn about the passing of Bingo, a Toronto Police K9 dog who was killed in the line of duty while keeping his handler and other officers safe yesterday,” Doug Ford said.
“My condolences go out to his entire Toronto Police family.”
Two-year-old K9 Bingo was fatally shot in Etobicoke on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
