Related Articles
Died – 8/2/16
Handler – Sgt. Jim VanLith
Fargo Police Sergeant remembers fallen K9 partner
In his four years on the police force, one Fargo officer arrested dozens of suspects, tracked down criminals, and even sniffed out drugs. He’s well known throughout the community, and was the star in thousands of school events.But after a leg injury, retirement was in the cards.On Tuesday, Fargo Police had to say goodbye to one of their finest. “Koa. Because it’s Hawaiian for warrior or courageous warrior,” Sgt. Jim VanLith remembers his partner.Scrolling through photos on his phone, VanLith points out one in particular, “There he is waiting for our son to get off the bus.Reporter: “Did he like to play in the snow?” VanLith “He did. He liked winter better than summer.” Reporter: “Just like a true Fargoan.” VanLith goes into detail about his right hand man. “He had a big, heavy leather collar. When we worked he wore that. First thing we did when we got home, is he changed and went into a soft, nylon collar with his tags.”VanLith smiles again, looking at the memories of Koa.“That’s kinda right in our prime. Both a little younger and a little less gray. He was not like a lot of other high-drive dogs where they would be up at the window the whole time. Where he would be in the back, laying down until he heard the seat belt unclick, and then he’d pop up and know something was going on.” VanLtih remembers how vital Koa was. “He was able to participate, help another agency with a 30 pound marijuana find. So he was always there always willing to do whatever you ask of them.””The thing with the canines is they don’t have the same fear or hesitation that a human officer might have,” VanLith goes on. “They react solely because you want them to react, whether you know an armed suspect may be in a building, they don’t know that, they just know they are going in to find somebody.”VanLith says Tuesday was an extremely difficult day.”I think by far the hardest emotional decision that my family and I have ever had to make.” But he smiles, one last time at his phone. VanLith looks at a photo of his gray-haired German Shepard.”Ah, that was our last walk. Then we took him for a last ride and let him stick his nose out the window. I didn’t think it would have as big of an impact on me as it did. So yeah, it will take me a bit to get over. “VanLith finishes the interview explaining what EOW means for officers.”End of watch, it means his work day is over.” Right now, the Fargo Police Department has three dogs assigned to its canine unit. Earl, Bali and Falco.
