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New Hampton K-9 officer named after fallen hero

The City of Hampton received a brand new officer on Wednesday — a 2-year-old German Shepherd named Louie.

HAMPTON — HAMPTON, Va. (WVEC) -- The City of Hampton received a brand new officer on Wednesday — 2-year-old German Shepherd named Louie.

The city officially accepted him as a donation from Connecticut during Wednesday’s meeting.

Donna Lewis and her children, Jack, Max, and Grace, got to pet Louie for the first time.

The K-9 is named after the children’s father, and Donna’s husband, Special Warfare Operator Jason Lewis.

“It felt really good because he was like reminding us that people still care after all this time,” said Grace Lewis.

Navy SEAL Jason Lewis was killed in 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following an ambush, he was mortally wounded in an attempt to help his comrades.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for 32 years, I’ve been training and working with dogs for 28. This one really pulls at the heartstrings," said Master Trainer Tom Hendrickson, with the Hampton Police Department.

Louie and Lewis were raised in Connecticut.

The nonprofit organization, Hometown Foundation, contacted Hampton Police in April and said they’d like to donate a dog to the city’s K-9 unit.

There was one catch, it had to be named after their fallen hero.

“I don’t know of anyone else that has a K-9 unit named after their father. I just think it’s a really cool opportunity, and I think he is going to do a lot of great things,” said Jack Lewis.

When officers went to pick up Louie they had the opportunity to meet his mother and visit Lewis’ final resting place.

“We actually joined two communities, our community here, and the community up in Connecticut,” said Hendrickson. “We were able to exchange stories and exchange tears, and when we left the cemetery I had a focus on what exactly the goal was ahead of me.”

Lewis’ wife and three children still reside in Hampton Roads where Louie will be serving. Louie will train to specialize in locating explosives and guns.

Jack Lewis said his father would be proud.

“I think he’d think it was really cool because he loved dogs, and he had a dog growing up for most of his life. And he’d think it’s really cool that he’d have a dog that’s going to be in law enforcement,” said Jack Lewis.

Louie is expected to be out protecting the Hampton community later this summer.

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