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Died – 2/2/17
Handler – Officer Bob Reilly
Retired K9 ‘King,’ Longtime Partner of PO Bob Reilly
The Clarkstown Police Department regrets to announce the passing of retired K9 “King”, longtime partner of PO Bob Reilly. This morning we recognize and honor the service of “King”, retired in 2016 after eight years of exemplary service to the Department and to the Town of Clarkstown. “King” was an eleven year old German Shepherd born in the Czech Republic. He was named in the memory of Sean King, son of Doctor Richard King of Valley Cottage. King was trained as a “dual purpose” K-9, trained to detect narcotics, article searches and tracking. During his years of service, King contributed to the department’s daily effort to keep the community safe and keep illegal drugs off the streets of Clarkstown. During his tenure “King” located large amounts of narcotics, assisted in countless arrests, located firearms, recovered evidence and located missing persons. King also received SWAT training and was deployed with the Department’s Critical Incident Response Team serving to clear buildings and search for dangerous suspects. King was credited with locating several violent felons with notable achievement in his 2009 apprehension of Eric Lau, the convicted murderer of resident Jami Erlich. He was also credited with successfully tracking and locating a missing elderly male with dementia who disappeared on a winter night when the temperature was below freezing. “King” was also especially popular with our children when he would perform K9 demonstrations at schools, various community groups and at the Clarkstown Recreation Summer Camps. “King”, much like the men and women of the Department, was dedicated to serve, protect….trained to go into harm’s way with courage and resolve …he would have it no other way. After 8 years of dedicated service “King” was retired in 2016 and enjoyed his last year with Officer Reilly and his family. The most important component to a successful Canine Team is the K9 Officer’s dedication and love for his service dog that goes well beyond an 8 hour tour of duty as King was a member of the Reilly Family and we extend our sympathy to Bob and his family. So to “King”, well done lad and we honor your service and mourn your passing. End of Watch… Thursday, February 2nd, 2017.
