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Handler – Capt. Nick Campbell
Pine Ridge police bid farewell to fallen K-9 officer
Pine Ridge police lost one of their own last week when a K–9 narcotics officer named Czar passed away. On Tuesday, officers gathered in Kyle to pay their last respects. “He meant everything to me,” said Oglala Sioux Tribal Police Capt. Nick Campbell. “I spent more time with him than with my family.” Campbell was Czar’s handler for more than two years. He was crestfallen when the dog suffered a fatal accident at home. “We spent every day working the streets, eating together and everything,” he said. “I’d be doing reports and he’d be lying behind me. To see him pass away like that, it’s heartbreaking to say the least.” Law enforcement officers joined together to show Czar the respect he’d earned in his years fighting drug crime. “These K-9 (officers), from the time they’re born, from when they’re little puppies, they’re in law enforcement,” said Bennett County Sheriff Paul Williams. “They’re family. They’re front line officers.” The law officers also gathered to show support for Campbell. “He’s just going through a tough time,” said OST Interim Police Chief Mark Mesteth. “We’re all here to support him and wish him well.” The department plans to find a replacement K–9 narcotics officer. And Campbell? Will he take on another K–9 partner? He says yes. “Just like anywhere else, our drug problem is pretty bad,” said Campbell. “The K-9 plays a pretty big role in our in our drug enforcement. So to look at the big picture, it would be good to have more dogs here.”Czar was the first Pine Ridge K–9 officer to pass away while on active duty.
