K9 Knight, the first police dog to serve the Bourbonnais Police Department, reached his End of Watch on July 11, 2026, after a battle with cancer. A Belgian Malinois and partner to Sgt. Tim Banks, Knight served four years across a three county area before retiring to patrol support. This tribute shares the local news and honors his service. Custom K9 Dog Training did not train Knight. We post this as members of the Kankakee County community who wanted to pay our respects.
A Note From Custom K9
We are a dog training company in Bourbonnais, and we had no part in Knight's training or career. We are sharing this because a working dog who gave four years to our community deserves to be remembered by the people he protected. The words below belong to his handler, Sgt. Tim Banks, and we are honored to help carry them.
Who Was K9 Knight?
Knight made history in November 2024 when he was sworn in as the Bourbonnais Police Department's first K9 officer. He was a Belgian Malinois, a breed bred for drive, focus, and protection work, and he lived up to every bit of it.
- Born:
February 2, 2019, in Mako, Hungary
- Imported:
Summer 2020 by Shallow Creek Kennels
- Sworn in:
Bourbonnais PD's first K9 officer, 2024
- Handler:
Sgt. Tim Banks
- Training:
Illinois State Police 10 week K9 Academy
- Service area:
Federal, state, and local operations across three counties
- End of Watch:
July 11, 2026
What Did Knight Do In Four Years Of Service?
Knight served as a member of the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, helping federal, state, and local agencies carry out arrest and search warrants. He assisted in seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug asset forfeiture and located narcotics that led to dozens of felony arrests. Tracking and searching for suspects in open areas and buildings was where his drive showed most.
He also served on the Kankakee County Emergency Response Team. In early 2025, Knight helped bring an armed barricade situation in nearby Iroquois County to a safe end. Off duty, he showed up at community events and visited residents of all ages, putting smiles on faces wherever he went.
The Tribute From His Handler
Sgt. Tim Banks, Knight's handler and partner, shared these words in remembrance of his service, his loyalty, and the mark he left on the profession, the community, and everyone who knew him.
In The Words Of Sgt. Banks
It is with profound sadness to announce the End of Watch for K9 Knight of the Bourbonnais Police Department. Knight had been battling illness off and on for several years and, as of recent, an aggressive form of cancer. Knight was unable to have a full life but, while with us, was full of life until the end.
Knight was an integral part of the law enforcement community, helping in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug asset forfeiture and leading to the arrest of felons by the dozens. His passion was tracking and searching for suspects in open areas and buildings. His presence saved lives on numerous occasions, even making the most violent of offenders second guess fight or flight.
The impact Knight had on my life is something that can never be duplicated again. Spending every waking moment on and off duty with him, it is a different bond than anything you could have with family, friends, or pets. His whole existence was to watch out for us and be our guardian angel at all times.
A large part of us died with him today, but his memory will live on forever. There is only one thing I have found that is a negative to being a K9 handler, and that is the final goodbye.
The Official Announcement
The Bourbonnais Police Department shared the news on their official Facebook page. You can view their post below.
Why A K9 Bond Runs So Deep
Anyone who has worked closely with a dog understands a piece of what Sgt. Banks describes, though a police K9 partnership sits in a category all its own. These dogs train, work, ride, and live with their handlers. The trust runs both directions and it is built every single day. That is the same foundation every strong dog and handler relationship is built on, whether the dog wears a badge or sleeps at the foot of your bed.
Rest easy, Knight. Thank you for your watch.
Honoring Every Working Dog
Custom K9 Dog Training helps families in Bourbonnais and Kankakee County build a real bond with their dogs through in-home and on-site training.
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