Photos by Eric Ayres Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, left, presents an American flag to Cpl. John McKenzie during a memorial ceremony Wednesday for McKenzie’s K-9 partner Jericho, who died as a result of a sudden and unexpected health issue while on duty late last month.

WHEELING — A solemn ceremony took place Wednesday to honor the Wheeling Police Department’s longest serving K-9, Jericho, who died while on duty late last month.

Members of the Wheeling Police Department, the city administration and neighboring law enforcement agencies were among those on hand for the ceremony Wednesday afternoon inside the lobby of WesBanco Arena in Wheeling.

Several representatives of the K.E.Y. Animal Hospital and a number of other police K-9s and local rescue dogs — both retired and active duty canines — also attended.

Jericho was 10 years old and served the Wheeling Police Department for almost his entire life. He was on duty with his handler and partner, Cpl. John McKenzie, when he suddenly and unexpectedly fell ill while on duty.

Cpl. Jason Martin, K-9 team leader for the Wheeling Police Department, spoke during the ceremony about the veteran K-9’s service to the department and to the community.

“Jericho was the longest serving K-9 in our K-9 unit when he unexpectedly passed away on Sept. 22, just a few weeks ago,” Martin said.

“He loved to do what he did. He loved to do what he was trained to do. If there were drugs to find, he was going to find them.”

Born Jan. 22, 2015, Jericho began his service with the Wheeling Police Department in November of that same year. Martin noted that although Jericho was only about nine months old when he began his service, he excelled at his duties right from the start.

The Wheeling Police Department started its K-9 unit in 2003. Since its inception, it has had 14 K-9s over the years. Twelve were trained in detecting narcotics, and two were trained to detect explosives.

“Jericho was No. 10 on that list,” Martin noted.

Among the other dogs in attendance at Wednesday’s ceremony was Martin’s retired K-9 Keeni, for whom Jericho reportedly was especially fond.

“He would just act weird around her,” Martin said. “I describe his behavior around her as being like an awkward teenage boy who didn’t know how to talk to girls. He would run up to her with his ears sticking straight up. Usually he’d just stand there frozen … but he loved her.”

A photo collage and a plaque in Jericho’s honor were displayed during the memorial ceremony. Officials said the plaque will be placed on the wall in the lobby of the Wheeling Police Department Headquarters.

“He will not be forgotten,” Martin said. “Jericho was not just a piece of equipment that the Wheeling Police Department had purchased to combat our drug issues and to find running and hiding suspects. He was a loved member of the McKenzie family. He was a respected member of the police department and the West Virginia K-9 Association.”

Like many other highly trained police K-9s, Jericho was a Belgian Malinois. He was trained by Ultimate Working Dogs in St. Albans, West Virginia, to detect various narcotics. As his memorial plaque noted, over the course of his career, Jericho had two handlers and participated in numerous suspect apprehensions, drug seizures and public demonstrations.

During the annual National Night Out events held each August by the Wheeling Police Department, the popular K-9 demonstrations often featured Jericho apprehending a “suspect” – often another officer dressed in a protective bite suit. McKenzie previously noted that Jericho was trained to detect various narcotics and was the last dog in the department trained to locate marijuana.

Jericho suffered a sudden health issue while on duty Sept. 22. He was taken to a local veterinary clinic, where he later died.

Because he died while on duty, Jericho’s service will be honored among other fallen officers. Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said a bell will be tolled and his name will be read among the other fallen officers remembered during the department’s annual Police Memorial Ceremony, solidifying his contribution to the legacy of the Wheeling Police Department.

“It’s only fitting to announce this as such a ceremony — Jericho will also forever be memorialized nationally on the Officer Down Memorial Page as a fallen K-9,” Schwertfeger announced during the ceremony, noting that they were informed of this honor only about two hours before the event.

The police chief said a K-9’s dedication, heroism and bond between them and their handler represents a majestic level of loyalty that can never go unnoticed.

“In essence, I hired Jericho 10 years ago,” Schwertfeger said. “Working dogs are vital to the success of any police and military organization. Although I’ve never personally handled a K-9, I’ve never failed to recognize the importance of the work they do.”

Schwertfeger said that through his nearly 10 years of service, Jericho truly made a significant impact.

“On behalf of the Wheeling Police Department, the city of Wheeling and our community, our deepest condolences are extended to Cpl. McKenzie and his family,” the police chief said. “In addition to being a great working dog, Jericho was a great family pet.”

McKenzie did not address the crowd during Wednesday’s ceremony, keeping emotions in check while scores of fellow officers and well-wishers stood in line to offer condolences following the event. He was joined by his wife, Cas, and 5-year-old son, Liam. He was presented a flag during the ceremony, which featured raising of the colors by the police honor guard, as well as opening and closing prayers by Pastor Chris Figaretti of Newbridge Church.

Following the memorial, McKenzie shared a written word of thanks.

“I am deeply moved by the outpouring of support from the Wheeling Police Department, the city of Wheeling and our K-9 companions from across the area,” McKenzie said. “Today’s memorial was a fitting tribute — the perfect way to honor my partner, Jericho, and to mark the close of his life well lived.”

The memorial closed like any ceremony honoring a fallen officer. “Rest in peace Jericho. Your work here is done,” the police chief proclaimed. “End of watch: Sept. 22, 2025.”