Photo gallery: Officers remember Wake County K9 Santos
By Kaitlin McKeown
Law enforcement members prepare a flag to present to Master Deputy Maria Fuentes, handler of K9 Santos, at the conclusion of a memorial service for the Wake County sheriff’s dog at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May.
Kaitlin McKeown
kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Members of the Wake County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement agencies gather on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. for a memorial service to honor K9 Santos, who was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Master Deputy Maria Fuentes, Santos’ handler, remembered her dog as a trusted partner and companion. Santos joined the Wake County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 and was the department’s longest serving K9.
Law enforcement walks by a Wake County Sheriff vehicle draped in black prior to a memorial service for K9 Santos at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Santos joined the Wake County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 and was the department’s longest serving K9. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
A person rests a hand on a Wake County Sheriff vehicle draped in black prior to a memorial service for K9 Santos at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Santos joined the Wake County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 and was the department’s longest serving K9. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Law enforcement members greet one another prior to a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Artwork depicts K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, prior to a memorial service at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Master Deputy Maria Fuentes walks alongside Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe at the start of a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Master Deputy Maria Fuentes, handler of K9 Santos, speaks during a memorial service for the Wake County sheriff’s dog at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Guests stand during a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog that was shot and killed while on duty, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Law enforcement members prepare a flag to present to Master Deputy Maria Fuentes, handler of K9 Santos, at the conclusion of a memorial service for the Wake County sheriff’s dog at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe hugs Master Deputy Maria Fuentes at the conclusion of a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Master Deputy Maria Fuentes walks alongside Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe following a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Master Deputy Maria Fuentes, right, walks alongside Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe following a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Law enforcement dogs await a recessional following a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Law enforcement members embrace prior to a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
An American flag flies above the North Carolina State Fairgrounds prior to a memorial service for K9 Santos, a Wake County sheriff’s dog, at the Kerr Scott Building on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. K9 Santos, a German shepherd, was accidentally shot and killed by a Knightdale police officer after a traffic stop in May. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
