K-9 officer dies, last wishes are that K-9 help 'escort him home'

Darrell Marler, a K-9 officer with the Department of Corrections, has died, his longtime friend reported.

Aaron Broussard, friend and a K-9 handler with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office, said he got to see Marler for the last time on Saturday. He died on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, KPLC did a story on Marler, who was diagnosed with stage four small cell lung cancer last December and was given a year to live. Marler was unable to care for Floor, his K-9, because of his advanced illness so he asked Broussard to adopt Floor. And he did.

Now, Broussard and Floor are preparing to give Marler a fitting send-off.

"His (Marler's) last wishes were for my unit - with Floor - to escort him home," Broussard said.

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