Sergeant Ian Grigoris mourns loss of police dog Rambo

A park has been named in honour of Rambo the police dog, accidentally killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a car while searching for a wanted man on the Bruce Highway in Maryborough.

Choking back tears, Sergeant Ian Grigoris spoke publicly for the first time since losing his best mate, telling a crowd of people how much his police dog, Rambo, had meant to him.

The crowd was there to honour the sacrifice of Rambo, killed after being hit by a car on the Bruce Highway in June while pursing a wanted man.

Maryborough’s dog park on the corner of Neptune Street and Boys Avenue was named in his honour on Thursday, with a plaque to mark the occasion installed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Sgt Grigoris recalled Rambo coming to the Fraser Coast with another police dog pup, Rebel.

He was told to decide which he would keep and which would go back to Brisbane.

Rambo was the one he kept.

Wherever he went, Sgt Grigoris would get a “nip on the Achilles tendon or on the calf and he’d whine and groan”.

PD Rambo's handler was Sgt Ian Grigoris. Picture Police Media

Rambo whined so much, he rang the Brisbane academy and asked them “is there something wrong with these dogs? Are they okay?”

The response? “We were happy to get rid of the noisiest, bitiest litter we’ve ever had”.

The story, met with laughter, was just the start of Sgt Grigoris’ journey with the dog that would become his trusted partner in the fight against crime on the Fraser Coast.

Rambo came along in leaps and bounds and was more than a fellow crime fighter – he was part of the family.

The plaque created to honour fallen police dog Rambo.

Sgt Grigoris described how he had nabbed criminals and located missing people, some who were suffering from mental health issues.

“He did his job extremely well and I was so proud of him,” Sgt Grigoris said.

“I wish he was still here today.”

He said people often joked that no one would ever break into his house because he had a police dog and they were “so savage”.

“But they’re more than a police dog, they’re a member of our family.

Councillor Paul Truscott with Sergeant Ian Grigoris and Mayor George Seymour at the dog park named in honour of fallen police dog, Rambo.

“Outside policing hours, Rambo was just a really loyal, loving dog that was a part of our family.

“We miss him dearly and he’s going to be a hard dog to replace.

“He was with me 24-7.

“I always joked with my partner that I spent more time with him than I do with you.

“May he rest in peace.”

Councillor Paul Truscott said as the owner of two dogs himself, they did become part of the family.

After the ceremony, dogs of all sizes and breeds were taken into the park to play, with a space for larger breeds and a space for small breeds.

Originally published as Sergeant Ian Grigoris mourns loss of police dog Rambo