Canine Victim Laid to Rest Amid Sound of Bagpipes

Scores of K-9 dogs and their police handlers paid tribute Wednesday to Sirius, the only police dog to die in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Officers from around the country and their canine partners filed by a wooden urn and a medal dedicated to Sirius during a ceremony that featured bagpipes and a 21-gun salute.

Officer David Lim broke down after Sirius’ metal bowl, recovered from the wreckage, was presented to him.

“He can have this one day, I guess,” said Lim, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officer. “He did his job well at the World Trade Center.”

As Lim went to help evacuate the trade center when it was attacked Sept. 11, he expected to return for the dog he left behind in a basement kennel.

But the towers collapsed, and Lim was trapped in the debris for several hours. No one was able to save the 5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever.

Sirius was among bomb-sniffing dogs first stationed at the trade center’s loading dock after a 1993 terrorist bombing. His remains were found in January.

Lim has been reassigned to work as an officer at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and has a new partner, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever named Sprig.

“He’s got big paws to fill,” Lim said.