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Service held to honor K-9 officer killed in wreck on I-75

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Many came out Friday morning to pay their respects to a fallen K-9 officer who died after a police SUV collided with an 18-wheeler.

K-9 Thorr had just been with the Henry County Police Department for six months.

Channel 2’s Lauren Pozen was outside the funeral home where there was a small service honoring the K-9.

“It is really important for our community to support our officers and K-9s alike," said Carly Edens.

Georgia State Patrol said last week the Henry County police K-9 SUV carrying Thorr, his handler and another officer, cut through the median from southbound 1-75 in Spalding County, stopped, then made a wide turn ending up partly in the middle lane.

A tractor-trailer in the right lane began to move into the middle lane and the two vehicles crashed.

The impact sent both vehicles into the guardrail and caused the tractor-trailer to overturn in the center median.

Thorr suffered devastating injuries and the difficult decision was made to have a veterinarian end the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois’ life.

“I have brothers and sisters that are in law enforcement and also an uncle, too," said Bradford James, who lives in Henry County. “I know what it could be like losing a family member. That’s basically what dogs are.”

“K-9 Thorr was a very active dog. He gave his handler a lot of challenges but once they made that bond together, they started to work really well together,” said Henry County Police Chief Mark Amerman.

Both officers suffered minor injuries.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital.

The chief said a funeral for a K-9 officer hasn’t been done in the past. He said this was a way for Thorr to always be remembered.