ManitobaA memorial nine years in the making was unveiled Wednesday for Winnipeg police officers whose dedication was regularly rewarded with back pats and head scratches.Not just a garden, it’s a symbol of gratitude: Sgt. Justin CasavantDarren Bernhardt · CBC News · Posted: Oct 15, 2025 2:56 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoForever Faithful, a bronze sculpture by California artist Susan Bahary, stands guard over four Tyndall stone pillars that feature plaques engraved with the names, badge numbers and years of service of the dogs who served with the Winnipeg Police Service. (Randall McKenzie/CBC)A memorial nine years in the making was unveiled Wednesday for Winnipeg police officers whose dedication was regularly rewarded with back pats and head scratches.Four Tyndall stone columns lined with name plaques, and a bronze statue titled Forever Faithful, pay tribute to the dogs that have served in the Winnipeg Police Service.The memorial garden, located beside the police canine kennels on Durand Road in the St. Boniface industrial park, honours “some of the most loyal and courageous members of the Winnipeg Police Service family,” WPS Chief Gene Bowers said at Wednesday’s event.”These dogs were not just part of our team, they were our protectors, our companions and our family. They stood beside their handlers without hesitation, facing danger head-on to keep Winnipeg safe.”It’s not just a garden, it’s a symbol of gratitude, memory and the powerful legacy of the four-legged officers that gave everything, said patrol Sgt. Justin Casavant, who helped spearhead the planning for the memorial garden.Conceptualized in 2016, the garden was brought to life through eight fundraising initiatives.”This memorial garden is more than a space. It’s a statement. It says these dogs mattered,” Casavant said. Chief Gene Bowers of the Winnipeg Police Service cuts the ribbon to officially open the police canine memorial garden on Wednesday. (Randall McKenzie/CBC)Each name on the stone columns, and those that will be added in the future, represents a story of service and sacrifice, said Bowers, who cut the ribbon to formally open the garden. Those names include Banner, Judge, Riley, Hobo, Hondo, Shane, King, Prince, Apollo, Aro, Diesel, Dante, Caesar, Griffin, Juno, Reya, Mya, Rane, among many more.Since it began in 1971, the WPS canine unit has employed more than 78 dogs. The engraved name plaques also include each canine officers’ badge number and years of service.Insp. Eric Luke, a former K9 handler and now commander of the WPS specialty units division, says canine handlers and their furry partners share a bond unlike any other.Plaques on a Tyndall stone monument pay respect to fallen canine officers. (Randall McKenzie/CBC)“From the first day of training to the last day of service each canine gives all of their heart, their full devotion and, ultimately, their entire life to the handler and the citizens of Winnipeg,” he said.”Together, handler and dog form a team that protects our community in ways few can fully understand: tracking suspects, rescuing the vulnerable, detecting threats and standing strong in the face of danger where others cannot.”This memorial garden now stands as a lasting tribute, reminding us of the loyalty, bravery and sacrifice of every dog who’s worn the WPS badge. We are forever in your debt.”The cost of the memorial was covered through public donations and fundraising efforts, including the sale of calendars, stuffed animals, perogies and memorial stones inscribed with messages.The 436 engraved memory stones make up the sidewalk leading to the memorial.”This has truly been a grassroots effort, built on collaboration between our service and our community,” Bowers said.The garden is open and accessible to anyone who wishes to pay their respects.ABOUT THE AUTHORDarren Bernhardt has been with CBC Manitoba since 2009 and specializes in offbeat and local history stories. He is the author of two bestselling books: The Lesser Known: A History of Oddities from the Heart of the Continent, and Prairie Oddities: Punkinhead, Peculiar Gravity and More Lesser Known Histories.
New memorial garden pays tribute to ‘loyalty, bravery and sacrifice’ of Winnipeg’s police dogs
