A memorial ceremony was scheduled to take place on Wednesday to honor the Burbank Police Department’s K-9 who was shot and killed during a tense standoff with a gunman last month, officials announced Monday.
Spike, the Belgian Malinois who served for two years with Burbank police, was shot by the man who was trying to run away from police during a traffic stop off the 5 Freeway on Buena Vista Street on Nov. 22.
The memorial ceremony will take place at the Burbank Police Department at 200 N. Third St. on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. A procession will follow.
The department said the event will honor Spike’s “service and sacrifice” while recognizing his “heroic actions that protected” Burbank police officers and community.
As tributes have been pouring in since Spike’s death with countless community members bringing balloons, flowers and thank-you signs, police said the public is welcome to attend the event.
“The Burbank Police Department appreciates the community’s overwhelming support since Spike’s passing,” the department said in a statement. “This memorial provides an opportunity for the public and law enforcement partners to come together to honor Spike’s legacy, heroic actions, and service to Burbank residents.”
Spike was described to be extremely intelligent and accomplished as he had recently become certified to serve as a narcotics dog.
“This is a tough one. This is no different than losing a police officer,” Lt. Derek Green with Burbank police said last month. “It’s a dog, but it is part of our law enforcement family.”
Jose Domingo Ayala Alas, 37, was later identified as the man who fired his weapon at the K-9 and officers during an hours-long standoff.
Spike was wearing a special bulletproof vest made for K-9s, but it wasn’t enough to save him. Right after a bullet struck him, the K-9 retreated to his handler before being rushed to an emergency veterinarian.
Ayala Alas was later shot and killed by police.
The gunman, a documented 18th Street gang member, had prior arrests for possession of weapons, including firearms, police said.
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