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Handler – Officer David Reed
Dog’s death leaves void for officer, police department
Kahvo was an “energetic dog,” but serious and loyal when working as part of the Police Department K9 Unit. At the side of Charleston Police Department officer David Reed, the German shepherd handled multiple criminal apprehensions, narcotics searches, evidence and suspect searches, and tracking cases. After five years as part of the K9 unit, Kahvo was put down last week because of digestive complications that were affecting him. He was 7 years old. “He had a lot of drive. He lived to work,” Reed said. “He is definitely going to be missed. Dogs like him don’t come around very often, but when they do you better embrace it because it is going to be one heck of a ride.” Reed, Kahvo’s handler, said Kahvo was a fired-up dog with a lot of energy within him. “He was full throttle,” Reed said. “He was extremely energetic. He never stopped. He never wanted to stop.” Despite his energy, Kahvo was dedicated and focused when working. “Kahvo would actually be waiting by his kennel door at six o’clock in the morning. I knew where he was. He was sitting at that kennel door ready to go,” Reed said. Reed said he spent practically all of his days with the dog either responding to calls like a standoff that took place on West Pierce Avenue or training, then going home together. “We were actually paired together at our K9 school and basically from Day One we had an unbreakable bond,” Reed said. “It was definitely a good fit.” Like with other K9 unit canines, like the flip of a switch, the dog would be ready to respond to any call with his handler, playing a crucial role in saving lives and helping in criminal investigations. Kahvo was good at what he did as well, Reed said. In 2012, Kahvo was the United States Police Canine Association Region 16 Narcotics Champion. Also, Kahvo helped in the seizing of thousands of dollars over the span of his career. In support of the late K9 unit dog, community business owners along Lincoln Avenue in Charleston honored Kahvo with blue ribbons on display. “There was a lot of community support, which was extremely appreciated,” Reed said. After Kahvo’s death, Reed decided to end his time as part of the K9 Unit with six years under his belt. “For me, with his passing, it would not be the same,” Reed said. “We had a lot of good accomplishments together, and it just doesn’t feel right to proceed. He was a part of our family.” Heath Thornton, CPD K9 Unit handler, said he is working on ways in which to garner money for another police canine. He said CPD normally has two dogs. Thornton is the only handler at the CPD currently with Ivan, age 8. He said dogs are crucial to law enforcement, often doing an eight-man job and also ensuring the safety of other officers. Thornton is also setting up a certified K9 trainer in order to train dogs in-house and save the department funds in the future. He said he hopes to be able to train dogs in the spring. “I wish the best for the new handler and the new dog,” Reed said.
