At the Tuesday, Oct. 18, Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Winona Lake Police Department Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh was presented with a plaque in honor of his late K9, Bronislav “Bron,” who passed away on Aug. 14. Other K9 officers were at the meeting for the presentation. From left: WLPD’s John Leeper, the Warsaw Police Department’s Zack Smith, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office’s Travis Shively, Bumbaugh and WLPD Chief Joe Hawn. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — A Winona Lake Police officer received a special plaque on Tuesday, Oct. 18, in honor of his late K9.

Winona Lake Police Department Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh was surprised at Tuesday’s Winona Lake Town Council meeting with the plaque in memory of his police dog Bronislav “Bron.”

“Aug. 14, we had a K9 pass away,” said WLPD Chief Joe Hawn. “We have a special little plaque that we want to honor Joe (Bumbaugh) and his K9 (with).”

Bumbaugh had Bron for seven years and has been a K9 officer for 13 years. Adam Clabaugh with Clabaugh’s Customs of Pierceton ended up creating the plaque after seeing a Facebook post the WLPD made after Bron died.

Other K9 officers from the area also were at the meeting for the presentation, including WLPD’s John Leeper, Warsaw Police Department’s Zack Smith and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office’s Travis Shively.

“We have a couple K9 officers that came to recognize Joe as well because he’s been a great mentor for (other K9 officers),” said Hawn.

The plaque bears a photo of Bron and includes his dates of birth and death with the words: “Bronislav, glorious warrior and protector.”

It also has the following inscription:

“Born to love, trained to serve, loyal to the end, best friend to our nation’s finest, we serve our master who serves mankind, faithful to the end, an officer’s extra sense to guide and protect your eyes in the dark, a nose for danger, a partner faithful beyond words.”