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Died – 8/17/17
Handler – Officer James Hauke
Retired Bryan K-9 dies; served 7 years
Falco was a good boy. The K-9 officer for the Bryan Police Department once uncovered 23 pounds of marijuana just by using his nose, ut he also loved pats and ear scratches from children. His favorite toy was a rubber Kong-brand ball, and he was calm and collected around his handler’s schnauzer when at home. Falco, who died Thursday, served the Bryan Police Department as a multi-use K-9 for eight years, at the side of his partner Officer James Hauke. Hauke trained Falco when he first arrived in Bryan in 2008, and the two stopped many criminals over the years. Falco unearthed stashes of marijuana and cocaine, and he drove criminal suspects out of hiding. He also educated the citizens of Brazos County through public demonstrations. “He was very laid back,” Hauke said. “He was kind and very social. Kids loved him, people loved him.” Last year, Falco turned 11, and it came time for him to retire. This past week, Falco’s body reached a breaking point. Recently, he had had trouble with hip pain and muscle deterioration, Hauke said, and the animal appeared to be in a lot of pain. “Deciding to have Falco euthanized was one of the hardest things I ever had to do,” Hauke said. On Thursday, Hauke took Falco to the vet for the last time. Falco tried to jump into the patrol car as though preparing for a regular day of police work, but needed his handler’s help climbing into the car. Several Bryan police officers and area police K-9s were with Hauke and Falco at the vet’s office. Falco died peacefully and quietly in Hauke’s arms.A contractor doing some expansion work at the veterinary office fashioned a handmade casket for Falco, with the dog’s name and an American flag emblem. Falco was transported to the crematorium in this special casket. Hauke said a friend from Austin is preparing a unique box to hold Falco’s ashes. While many people spread the ashes of a pet or loved one, Hauke said he wants to keep Falco near him, in the box at his home. Hauke will always treasure his memories with his furry partner. “Falco and I used to ride around in the patrol vehicle and I would talk to him,” Hauke said. “And it’s a good thing he couldn’t talk, so he couldn’t repeat things that I said.” Sgt. Chad Hanks of the Bryan PD K-9 Unit said that in many ways, service dogs are more like humans than they are pets. “They don’t get paid other than get to eat for free,” he said. “They offer a great service.” Hauke did chuckle at the thought of what Falco might be doing in the afterlife. “What does a police dog do when he goes to heaven?” he mused. “There aren’t any bad guys in heaven. So will he just get bored?”
