K-9 Handler: ‘I know without a doubt Sultan saved my life’

Hundreds of Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies, other police department officers, canines and families gathered for a public memorial service Wednesday. They joined Deputy Mark Wallace at the War Dog Memorial at March Field Air Museum in Riverside to salute Wallace’s partner and fallen hero, Sultan.

“January 21 was one of the worst days of my life,” said Wallace.

Jan. 21 was the day Wallace said his beloved partner risked everything. Doing what he was trained to do, the German shepard mix followed his nose to locate wanted felon, 36-year-old Todd Hodge, during a standoff in Hemet.

The suspect shot and killed the police dog. Eight hours later deputies shot and killed Hodge when he pointed a gun at them.

“When I got to the vet, I pulled Sultan’s limp body from the back seat of my patrol car. He was gone,” Wallace said.

The memorial was a painful goodbye that brought Wallace and many other handlers to tears.

“It really touched home how much we care for our own dogs. It brought that to light,” said K-9 handler, Dep. Richard Fransik.

Sultan, a loyal friend wallace worked hard to get and lost too soon.

“I know without a doubt Sultan saved my life and several other officer’s lives that day too. He died a hero.”

The deputy shared stories about the hero who howled at sirens, disliked bicycles and motorcycles.

“Sultan was very selective of who’d he let pet him. He wasn’t the most social. I found it endearing it was just him and me.”

Sultan set the bar as the first K-9 at the San Jacinto station, the first canine in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept. history killed in the line of duty.

“I know if it wasn’t Sultan. It would’ve been another dog on our team. I know this because all of our dogs would’ve acted and done just as Sultan did that day. I wouldn’t want any other member of our team to go through an experience like this,” Wallace said.

“They say dog’s are a man’s best friend. Sultan wasn’t man’s best friend, he was my best friend.”