Temple Terrace dedicates K‑9 memorial honoring 108 service dogs

Chief Rob Staley opened a morning ceremony at the City of Temple Terrace to dedicate a K‑9 memorial and to honor law‑enforcement animals who have died in the line of duty or retired and passed away. Mayor Andy Ross and Gary Olson, vice president of the Nam Knights of America Westside Chapter, thanked the city and described the club’s lead role in fundraising and building the memorial.

Gary Olson said the idea began as a way for veterans and law‑enforcement family members to honor canine partners across the region and explained the chapter’s multi‑year fundraising effort. He noted the memorial statue bears the name “Aramis,” a Temple Terrace police canine that died in June 2021; Aramis’ handler, Master Patrol Officer Rick Scalabro, retired shortly after the memorial’s unveiling.

Chief Staley announced that 13 new bricks — representing canines from 12 law‑enforcement agencies — had been added to the memorial; one of the newly listed K‑9s was identified in the ceremony as killed in the line of duty and is marked with a star on the memorial. The chief said Temple Terrace now has 108 law‑enforcement canines memorialized from across the state.

The dedication included presentation of colors and a moment of silence. Organizers said they have raised more than $45,000 to establish and maintain the memorial and invited additional donations to support adding new bricks and upkeep.

The memorial was unveiled June 29, 2022, and organizers said it is intended to honor all service canines — those killed in the line of duty and those who retired and later died — and to serve as a point of pride for the community.