Meet the comfort dog helping Wyandotte County deputies in a time of tragedy
by: Olivia Johnson Posted: Jul 30, 2025 / 11:32 AM CDT Updated: Jul 30, 2025 / 11:38 AM CDT
As featured on FOX4KC WDAF-TV.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the wake of a tragic weekend, members of the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office are left mourning the loss of not one but two former colleagues who dedicated their lives to serving their community.
But through that heartache, one local law enforcement officer is bringing comfort and support in the form of a slobbery smile and a wagging tail — meet Lola.
On Wednesday morning, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office shared a post on Facebook of its Critical Incident Response Team K9. The agency described the black Labrador retriever as a service animal trained to help law enforcement through times of trauma and stress.
Lola joined the sheriff’s office in 2021 from K9s for Freedom in Collinsville, Texas. She has since worked with several local agencies and law enforcement personnel, offering peer support and advocacy to victims, a spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said.
Because of her hard work and dedication to helping those in law enforcement, local author Mike Dickerson made her the subject of a children’s book back in 2023 called “Pawsitively Lola (A Service Dog’s Adventures).”
The book “tells the story of how K9 Lola went from rescue dog to a rescuer who helps people when they are in crisis, in partnership with her handler, Kim Hunter,” the summary said.
Now, she is channeling her years of training and bringing it to the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office, where her fluffy paws and comforting presence are offering support after a weekend of loss.
On Saturday afternoon, Deputy Elijah Ming, a 34-year-old father and husband who had served in the sheriff’s office for nine years, was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a civil standby.
Ming and a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer responded to the call to help a woman move out of her home. She said she was scared for her safety.
When they arrived, a man, later identified as 38-year-old Shawn Harris, opened fire at Ming and the officer. Ming suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The following day, news broke that the county’s former undersheriff, Larry Roland, passed away after a long battle with multiple illnesses. He was a law enforcement officer for 49 years and served in the sheriff’s office for 12 years before retiring in February 2021.
Now, K9 Lola is helping their former colleagues mourn and find strength in a time of sadness.
As featured on FOX4KC WDAF-TV.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the wake of a tragic weekend, members of the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office are left mourning the loss of not one but two former colleagues who dedicated their lives to serving their community.
But through that heartache, one local law enforcement officer is bringing comfort and support in the form of a slobbery smile and a wagging tail — meet Lola.
On Wednesday morning, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office shared a post on Facebook of its Critical Incident Response Team K9. The agency described the black Labrador retriever as a service animal trained to help law enforcement through times of trauma and stress.
Lola joined the sheriff’s office in 2021 from K9s for Freedom in Collinsville, Texas. She has since worked with several local agencies and law enforcement personnel, offering peer support and advocacy to victims, a spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said.
Because of her hard work and dedication to helping those in law enforcement, local author Mike Dickerson made her the subject of a children’s book back in 2023 called “Pawsitively Lola (A Service Dog’s Adventures).”
The book “tells the story of how K9 Lola went from rescue dog to a rescuer who helps people when they are in crisis, in partnership with her handler, Kim Hunter,” the summary said.
Now, she is channeling her years of training and bringing it to the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office, where her fluffy paws and comforting presence are offering support after a weekend of loss.
On Saturday afternoon, Deputy Elijah Ming, a 34-year-old father and husband who had served in the sheriff’s office for nine years, was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a civil standby.
Ming and a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer responded to the call to help a woman move out of her home. She said she was scared for her safety.
When they arrived, a man, later identified as 38-year-old Shawn Harris, opened fire at Ming and the officer. Ming suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The following day, news broke that the county’s former undersheriff, Larry Roland, passed away after a long battle with multiple illnesses. He was a law enforcement officer for 49 years and served in the sheriff’s office for 12 years before retiring in February 2021.
Now, K9 Lola is helping their former colleagues mourn and find strength in a time of sadness.