In May 2015, police officer Eric Eslary was killed after a drunk driver collided head-on with him as he sat in his parked police vehicle. He left behind his wife Mary Beth and their six children.
Eric’s partner, police dog Blek, was also in the car at the time of the incident. He was seriously wounded but miraculously survived.
Blek refused to budge from his partner’s side. It was only when Mary Beth arrived that the 6-year-old German shepherd could be dragged away.
Following the tragedy, Mary Beth decided to adopt the police dog and bring him home. Having Blek around helped her remember and honor her husband’s memory.
Eric had served for 17 years as a policeman in western Pennsylvania. He had helped to train the police dog and was very proud of his efforts.
Mary Beth works at a 911 monitoring station and despite her many years of training to deal with stressful situations, nothing could prepare her for the loss of her husband.
“It’s a great comfort to know that I have Blek with me, that way I at least have a small part of Eric with me,” she says.
At times, Blek continues to look for Erik – he sniffs around and waits for her best friend to return home.
City Police held a ceremony to honor the loyal dog’s retirement from the force. Now Blek’s sole mission is to love and give peace of mind to his owner’s family.
Mary Beth and her husband always said “I love you” to each other, before he left for his job. “It was a rule we had. We always said so because you never know what can happen.”
Eric was laid to his final rest alongside the images of his wife and children. Thousands of mourners joined his funeral ceremony.
“It is an honor to take care of Blek, Eric,” said Mary. “I need him. The children need him. We as a family need him.”
What an incredibly beautiful tribute to Eric by Mary Beth and Blek! It fills my heart with hope and warmth when I see how Blek got to live with Mary Beth and her children. It’s amazing what dogs can do for us humans. Blek acts as a constant and beautiful reminder of their hero in heaven.
Please share these moving photos to help honor Lt. Eric Eslary and all other police officers and police dogs that put their lives on the line for our sake.