“K9 Godmothers” plan new memorial and walkway for fallen K9 officers, seeking community’s help

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Most of us have heard of Fairy Godmothers who help take care of storybook characters, but have you ever heard of The K-9 Godmothers?

One group of women are aiming to ensure dogs in the line of duty aren’t forgotten in life or in death.

Carmen Hudson says she founded the group they call “The K-9 Godmothers” in 2011 after K-9 Fargo was shot and killed in the line of duty.

“When that happened and we saw there was a need for safety equipment for these incredible dogs, we stepped up and we continue to do it, no matter what it takes. We’ll raise the funds, we make sure these dogs have the safety equipment they need to do their job and come home,” Hudson says.

Fellow K9 Godmother Janet Jones says the K9s serving the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are more than just pets — they’re officers.

“They are law enforcement just as well as our two-legged. Our four-legged canines are just as much a part of the family and they need to be honored as well,” Jones says.

The Godmothers not only make sure the dogs have safety equipment, they make sure the K9’s are never forgotten in the event they’re killed in the line of duty.

They say a total of four K-9 officers died while serving RCSD in 2023.

But the current headstone located within the RCSD Memorial Garden at the front of the department has no remaining space for new names.

The group’s goal is to raise enough funds to build a new memorial and walkway made of personalized bricks.

RCSD K9 Handler Isaac Page says he and K9 Max are inseparable. He says he can’t imagine the emotional impact of losing a K9 partner, and he’s thankful for everything the Godmothers do.

“Max is my best buddy. I spend more time with him than anybody else. At this point I probably talk to him more than I do anybody else, so we’re very close,” Page says.

Hudson says bricks are $250 each and can be engraved with three lines of text. Logos can be added for an additional $30.

“I don’t know if anybody will ever understand how close you can be with a dog until you do this job,” says Page.

If you’re interested in purchasing a brick, Hudson asks that you call the Godmothers at 803-446-3650.