The Fiji Corrections Service has paid tribute to one of its most loyal and distinguished canine officers, K9 Hailey, during a solemn burial ceremony held at the K9 Memorial Site in Naboro.
Senior officers, corrections personnel, K9 handlers and invited guests gathered to honour the service of the operational canine, with Acting Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Apolosa Veve present.
K9 Hailey, a German and Belgian Shepherd cross, served the Fiji Corrections Service for more than six years and earned a reputation for her courage, dedication and effectiveness in supporting security operations.
Her handler, Corrections Officer Class A Koresi Ratumaiyaka, delivered an emotional tribute, describing Hailey as more than just a working dog.
“Hailey was more than just a working dog; she was a hero,” COA Ratumaiyaka said.
“Her loyalty, resilience, and gentle spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.”
Ratumaiyaka recounted Hailey’s journey from completing a rigorous 12-week training programme in 2020 to becoming a key member of the Central Eastern Division in Nasinu.
Among her notable achievements was her role in the successful recapture of an escaped inmate from the Nasinu Correctional Centre in 2024. She also assisted officers in apprehending four inmates who escaped from the Suva Corrections Centre in 2025 and helped track down a grab-and-run suspect from the RUPS Mega Complex in Nakasi.
The ceremony included prayers and a benediction led by the Fiji Corrections Service Chaplain, followed by the burial, sounding of the Last Post and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Former Officer in Charge of the K9 Unit Leone Waqavatu was among those in attendance, reflecting the strong bonds shared within the unit.
The Fiji Corrections Service said Hailey’s contribution to maintaining security and supporting correctional operations would be long remembered.
In a final tribute, the Service expressed its gratitude for her years of faithful service and dedication to duty.
