FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) – It’s a sad day Wednesday in Fond du Lac, as Police Officer Ryan Williams had to put down his former K-9 partner Grendel
Both Williams and Grendel survived after being shot twice during a standoff in March of 2011 that claimed the life of Officer Craig Birkholz.
Williams says the 12-year-old German Sheppard had nerve damage in his back and couldn’t control his bowels.
Grendel and Williams did a number of community appearances while they recovered from their injuries. Last April, Grendel was retired but was able to continue living with Williams and his family.
Williams says Grendel is entitled to a funeral with full honors, but the family has opted to keep it private.
Grendel will be buried with his favorite tennis ball in Rienzi Cemetery’s Pet Cemetery where other police dogs have been buried.
(Additional reporting from KFIZ in Fond du Lac).
