Update #2, 05/29/2019: On Thursday, May 30, 2019 the Gwinnett County Police Honor Guard will be conducting a Line of Duty Death Funeral for our fallen brother, Gwinnett County Police K9 Eli, to thank and honor him for the services he provided to the Gwinnett County Police Department and the citizens of Gwinnett County during his eight years of service with the department.

Officers who would like to attend K9 Eli’s funeral are welcome.  There will be a police procession leaving the Gwinnett County Police Training Center (854 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville) and traveling to the Oak Rest Pet Cemetery (2691 Harbins Road, Bethlehem) where the funeral services will take place. Only police vehicles will be allowed to participate in the procession.  If you want to participate, you need to arrive at the Gwinnett Police Training Center no later than 9:00am.  The procession will depart no later than 9:20am.

Due to limited parking at the cemetery, citizens wishing to show their support are encouraged to line the procession route in safe locations.  The procession route will travel Sweetgum Road SE to Martins Chapel Road to Brooks Road SE to Harbins Road and end at 2691 Harbins Road.

Update #1, 05/24/2019: The K9 Unit was asked to assist the Snellville Police Department and the DeKalb County Police Department in the apprehension of a suspect.  The suspect had fled on foot in the area of North Crestview Drive and Grayson Parkway. 

K9 Eli was in the area actively searching for the suspect along with his handler, Officer Matthew Bonanno.  Approximately 30 minutes later, the search was called off.  As K9 Eli and the officers were walking back to their patrol vehicles, Eli fell to the ground and began acting abnormally. 

In an effort to cool him down, officers covered his body with water they had on hand.  K9 Eli was conscious as they loaded him into the patrol vehicle.  Officer Bonanno transported him to a local animal hospital for emergency treatment.

During treatment at the animal hospital, K9 Eli stopped breathing.  The veterinarian and staff performed CPR on Eli for about 30 minutes before he ultimately passed away. 

The body of K9 Eli is currently at the University of Georgia undergoing a necropsy.  The results of the necropsy will help identify his cause of his death.  Once those results are learned, this Media Release will be updated.  

K9 Eli was assigned to the K9 Unit.  The K9 Unit currently consists of 10 dual-purpose dogs.  Four additional canines are assigned to the Parcel Interdiction Unit and the Hazardous Devices Unit. 

Our thoughts are with Officer Bonanno, his family, and the K9 Unit as they grieve the loss of this great animal. 

For details about the suspect in yesterday’s search, please contact the Snellville Police Department and/or the DeKalb County Police Department.

Original, 05/23/2019: (Snellville, Georgia)  Gwinnett County Police have suddenly lost one of our beloved police K-9s today in a tragic set of circumstances.  Snellville Police had a suspect flee from them in the area of North Crestview Drive and Grayson Parkway in Grayson and ultimately requested the assistance of the GCPD K-9 unit for a track.  K-9 Eli and his handler, Officer Bonanno, responded to assist.  Approximately 30 minutes into the track, K-9 Eli began to display signs of distress believed to be related to heat.  He was quickly removed from the scene and taken to a local veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.  Doctors attempted to treat K-9 Eli but he unfortunately did not recover.  He passed away shortly before 5:00pm.  K-9 Eli was 9 years old and has served the citizens of Gwinnett County for 8 years.  We mourn the loss of this courageous K-9 and will provide more details at a later time.  Please keep Officer Bonanno and his family in your thoughts.