‘Forever remembered’: Memorial held for slain Toronto police dog ‘Bingo’
Posted September 22, 2023 3:15 pm.
Last Updated September 22, 2023 3:20 pm.
Hundreds of Toronto police officers gathered on Friday to remember a special member of the local police service.
“Bingo” of the K-9 unit was killed in the line of duty in July. The two-year-old German Shepherd was shot while responding officers were looking for an armed suspect in Etobicoke.
Toronto police chief Myron Demkiw spoke at the memorial service at the Woodbine Banquet Hall.
“Bingo will forever be remembered as the amazing police service dog he was,” Demkiw said. “A dog that demonstrated that he, too, could serve and protect alongside some of the best police officers in the country — members of the Toronto Police Service.”
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The province’s police watchdog said a man allegedly fled a 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.
Kenneth Grant, 44, was charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Bingo on July 24. A procession was held two days later, as Bingo’s body was brought out in a Canadian flag-draped casket to a waiting police SUV.
Sgt. Brandon Smith and the German Shepherd worked and lived together. The pair were partners on the road after going through extensive training at the same time.
Sgt. Smith also spoke at Friday’s service, saying he’s been a police officer for 24 years, but it took him 23 years to find his purpose as a member of the K-9 unit.
“I have had pets all my life and never thought I could have a stronger connection,” Sgt. Smith said.
“But after spending every day with Bingo, both at work and at home, more often spending more time with him than with Heather and my children, we developed a bond that was deeper than that of a pet.”
