ROCKFORD, Iowa (KTLA) -- A fallen Navy SEAL's Labrador retriever proved his loyalty this week when he walked up to his master's casket and lay down, refusing to leave his side.
Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, 35, a San Diego resident, was among 30 American troops and 22 fellow SEALs killed when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6.
During his funeral in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa this week, Tumilson's dog, 'Hawkeye,' walked up to the casket, heaved a sigh and dropped down as about 1,500 mourners looked on.
A photograph of the emotional moment was captured by Tumilson's cousin, Lisa Pembleton, and posted on a memorial Facebook page.
"I felt compelled to take one photo to share with family members that couldn't make it or couldn't see what I could from the aisle," Pembleton wrote on her Facebook page. "To say that he was an amazing man doesn't do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family and friends is immeasurable.'"
Hawkeye was such an important part of Tumilson's life that family members followed the dog down the aisle as they entered the funeral service, MSNBC reports.
The Labrador will be cared for by Tumilson's good friend, Scott Nicholas.
Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, 35, a San Diego resident, was among 30 American troops and 22 fellow SEALs killed when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6.
A photograph of the emotional moment was captured by Tumilson's cousin, Lisa Pembleton, and posted on a memorial Facebook page.
"I felt compelled to take one photo to share with family members that couldn't make it or couldn't see what I could from the aisle," Pembleton wrote on her Facebook page. "To say that he was an amazing man doesn't do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family and friends is immeasurable.'"
Hawkeye was such an important part of Tumilson's life that family members followed the dog down the aisle as they entered the funeral service, MSNBC reports.
The Labrador will be cared for by Tumilson's good friend, Scott Nicholas.
