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Died – 6/18/16
Handler – Cpl. David Berrios
K-9 Officer Wombat laid to rest
A somber funeral procession led by a line of Woodward Police cars made its way slowly through the streets of Woodward Friday. The procession included local leaders of Woodward and many citizens all gathered, some coming to attention in the streets as it passed, to honor Woodward K-9 Police Officer Wombat, who tragically died last week. Officer Wombat’s handler, Woodward police officer Cpl. David Berrios was touched by the level of respect the community demonstratedon the day of Officer Wombat’s funeral. “I think Chief Ellis and the City of Woodward has done a great thing,” Berrios said. “It is remarkable that they have been willing to show that Wombat was not just a tool but was a police officer who was worthy of recognition.” The procession for Officer Wombat began at Billings Funeral Home where he ws prepared for interment. The proession then wound its way through the streets of Woodward to property near the Woodward Animal Control headquarters.The burial ceremony took place at a location near Woodward Animal Control where the city has planned a K-9 officer memorial wall, said Animal Control Officer Oscar Ayala. “Honestly I think it is a good idea. They should have a service. The dog is like one of our officers. He was our friend. He served the City of Woodward just like we do.” Pastor Beau Hague officiated and Woodward Police Chaplain Donetta Hunter offered the invocation. Officer Wombat died on Saturday, June 18th from a sadly common problem with large dogs, a twisted intestine. “It was about a quarter to 8 a.m. and I went out to his kennel to load up to go on duty and I found him,” Berrios said. “I lost it. I broke down and then I called the Chief (Paul Ellis) and Deputy Chief (Chuck Wheeler). They came to the scene and we had the detectives come process the scene to make sure there was no foul play invovled in his death.” Berrios and the department heads then took the officer to Veterinarian Dr. Marvin Reidlinger of Woodward Animal Hospital. After performing an autopsy on Wombat, Reidlinger issued the official cause of death. Officer Wombat was a German Shepherd who began his life and training, not surprisingly in Belgium, according to Berrios. His missions centered around drug interdiction and tracking after he came to Woodward. Although Wombat did have what is called “bite training” or apprehension training.“He received training there (in Belgium) before he ever came to the United States,” Berrios said. “He even has his own passport and everything.” Wombat finished his training in August of 2013 at Texoma Training Center where Trainer Bill Jenkins worked together with Barrios to make the pair a team. And on the face of it, that didn’t look easy, Barrios said. “From the start, when I went to Texoma, Bill told me, ‘Get ready because this dog can really be (difficult),’,” Barrios said. “But him and I, we got an understanding and after that he was my dog.” Officer Wombat has been credited with the discovery of thousands of dollars in drugs and he has been instrumental in locating children who have been lost locally as well as the apprehension of a fugitive from justice. “He has had multiple drug finds. The third week he was here, he had already found $29,860 in drugs,” Barrios said. “He has also been implemented in finding a couple missing children, and I mean within minutes of their disappearances. The last one was over in East Hanks Traill. The child had been gone for 30 minutes. I got the child’s clothing and Wombat tracked him right from where we were to just under the house where he was hiding.” For Woodward Police Chief Paul Ellis, this was his favorite story about Wombat, which he relayed in his eulogy of the dog on Friday. Woodward Police officers, city leaders and local residents all said they would miss Wombat and his exuberance and passion for the work he did.“We really appreciated Wombat. He has done a lot for us and he will be greatly missed,” said Woodward Police Department Spokesman, Don Mitchell. “We also appreciate what everyone, the Department and the City is doing to honor this officer.”
