First words from ‘devastated’ handler after police dog killed in line of duty

Queensland Police have shared a touching tribute to Rambo, a police dog killed in the line of duty near Maryborough three weeks ago. WATCH THE VIDEO

A heartbreaking video paying tribute Maryborough police dog that was killed on duty has been released by the Queensland Police Service, three weeks after his tragic death.

Rambo died when he was accidentally run over by a member of the public while in pursuit of a man who allegedly ran from police on the Bruce Highway at Maryborough West.

Police immediately transported Rambo, 7, to a nearby vet however he passed away from his injuries.

For the first time, a statement has been shared by his handler, Sergeant Ian Grigoris, who was left devastated by the loss of his dog.

It is understood he has been on leave since Rambo’s death.

Sgt Ian Grigoris with PD Rambo, who police said “worked tirelessly” keeping the Maryborough community safe.

“I would like to thank family, friends, colleagues and members of the community for their condolences, well wishes, words of comfort and support during these difficult times,” Sgt Grigoris said.

A video of Rambo’s achievements and a further statement recognising Rambo’s service was issued by police on Monday.

“PD Rambo was a Fraser Coast local and lived in the area when he was a puppy,” the statement read.

“He graduated from the academy in 2015 and worked tirelessly in keeping the Maryborough community safe. PD Rambo often assisted police in locating missing persons and successfully tracked two property offenders on Australia Day in 2019.

“All QPS dogs are part of their handler’s family and the bond between handlers and their dogs makes them inseparable.”

Giving insight into the impact of Rambo’s doss, Detective Inspector Gary Pettiford last week likened the loss to that of a human partner.

Sergeant Ian Grigoris with recruit dog Rambo. Photo: Robyne Cuerel / Fraser Coast Chronicle

“It has been a very tragic event,” Det Insp Pettiford said.

“With police dogs and their handlers, they aren’t pets, police dogs aren’t pets.

“They’re like a partner and they rely upon each other in everything they do.

“They become basically one.

He said Sgt Grigoris would be back on duty soon and would hopefully have a new police dog to work with.

“But it is a big loss for us as police, not just the amount of financial cost of losing a police dog, but … it’s like losing a member of the family, it’s like losing a human partner that you work with, because in the middle of the night, they are out there, just the two of them by themselves most of the time.”