"Lucky, Don't Be Sick in Heaven" Special Forces Police Dog Memorial Flood

Daejeon Police Special Forces Lucky Passes Away from Blood Cancer
Completed Over 200 Missions Including Events and Missing Person Searches
Excelled in Explosive Detection... "A Supportive Companion"

Police dog 'Lucky,' who successfully completed over 200 missions, passed away last month, prompting a wave of mourning within the police force.

According to Yonhap News on the 20th, Lucky, born in April 2015, served in the Daejeon Police Special Forces and carried out more than 200 missions, including major events such as the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the 2019 Gwangju World Aquatics Championships, as well as bomb threat responses and missing person searches.

[Image provided by Daejeon Police Agency]

In particular, Lucky stood out in the field of explosive detection, winning 3rd place in the 2017 Korea Customs Service Commissioner’s Cup National Explosive Detection Dog Competition and consistently ranking within the top three in the explosive detection and search dog category at the Special Forces tactical evaluation competitions every year.

Lucky was healthy enough to achieve 2nd place in a competition as recently as early this year but experienced a rapid decline in health starting in June. After developing an unexplained mass, Lucky became increasingly ill and was diagnosed last month with acute leukemia with systemic metastasis.

Despite continuous medication and hospitalization, Lucky became unable to stand or control bowel movements. The condition worsened further with skin ulcers and internal bleeding.

[Image provided by Daejeon Police Agency]

Ultimately, Lucky passed away on the 22nd of last month. Special forces members who worked alongside Lucky tearfully stroked his face and said their final goodbyes, following the veterinarian’s advice that there was no further treatment to be done and that only pain remained for Lucky.

The Daejeon Police Agency held a burial ceremony for Lucky on the 25th of last month, attended by 20 special forces members. Lucky’s remains were buried in front of the special forces office, draped with the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag) and saluted.

Sergeant Lee Sang-gyu, who worked closely with Lucky for six years as his handler, recalled to Yonhap News, “There were many tough times at work, but Lucky was a colleague who gave unconditional love. There were many moments when I felt closer to him than to people. He was very lively and had great stamina, so he was actually a mischievous troublemaker. He never fought with other dogs and had a strong bond with the team members.”

[Image provided by Daejeon Police Agency]

He added, “I especially remember spending about three weeks with Lucky during the Gwangju World Aquatics Championships assignment. He could have been tired from the long mission, but he was always a supportive companion by my side. I want to say he worked really hard all this time, and I will never forget him.”

After the story of Lucky and the burial ceremony video were recently shared on the police internal network, fellow officers expressed their condolences. Comments included, “Thank you for your dedication to the country,” “Don’t be in pain in heaven. You worked hard, Lucky,” “I’m moved by the respect shown to police dogs,” and “Lucky truly received a lot of love from his colleagues.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.