Charged in Death of K-9 Partner Farock

 

“This was totally avoidable and completely inexcusable,” said Fairfield Police Chief, Albert Gallegos about the untimely death of K9 Officer Farock. “We can handle a lot of things, but this one really hurt.” 

Farock, an approximately 2-year-old German Sheppard, was allegedly left in Corporal Joseph Silas’s police cruiser overnight in Ennis and succumbed to heat-related complications on Friday, June 12, 2026. 

Silas is a certified K9 Handler and Farock was assigned to his care in July of 2025. The pair were partners; together 24/7. 

Following his passing, the K9’s body was sent for autopsy at Texas A&M to determine cause of death. When it was confirmed to be heat-related, Chief Gallegos dismissed Silas from the department. 

Ennis Police Department conducted an Investigation and ultimately a warrant was issued for Silas’s arrest last week. He was charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, as outlined in the Texas Penal Code 42.092(b)(1), a third-degree felony. 

Silas, who has served on Fairfield Police Department for about two years, turned himself in to Ennis Police Department where he was booked in and later arraigned. He has since paid bond and been released. 

Texas Penal Code §42.092 covers a wide range of conduct involving non-livestock animals, from failing to provide necessary food, water, or shelter, to intentionally torturing or killing an animal. The statute distinguishes between lower-level offenses, which can be misdemeanors or state-jail felonies, and the most serious acts, which state law treats as felonies. 

Because the portion of the law cited by police includes offenses that can be charged as a third-degree felony, a conviction could carry two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 under Texas law. 

A small private ceremony honoring Farock will be held at a later date so Fairfield PD and City Employees can remember him for his hard work and for serving the citizens of Fairfield. 

The ‘Times’ will continue to follow this story and update as new details become available.