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Died – 10/1/15
Handler – Officer Dale Johnson
Bainbridge Island mourns police dog Rusty
Islanders are saying their final farewells to Bainbridge Island’s furriest, and possibly friendliest, police officer. Rusty, a retired police dog, was euthanized Thursday because of bone cancer. He was about 13 years old. The chocolate Lab mix retired from the force in 2013, after nine years of service as a drug tracking dog, Police Chief Matthew Hamner said. Rusty retired with his handler, Dale Johnson, as is typical with police dogs due to their special training and the bond that forms between canine and human partners. Rusty and Johnson trained together for more 220 hours at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, according to a news release from the city. During his nine-year career, Rusty conducted 219 searches and found 547 evidence items, including drugs and cash used in crimes. His searches led to 181 arrests, 12 vehicles being impounded and the seizure of $130,000 in cash. “Those two made a great team,” Hamner said about Johnson and Rusty. Rusty’s crime-fighting career got an unusual start. He was found as a puppy during a drug raid in Whatcom County, and placed on doggy “death row” before his talented sniffer and energetic personality were noted. He and Johnson started training in March 2004, and Rusty was the loudest and most obnoxious of all seven dogs at the academy, Johnson said. He became one of the best dogs of the group. “He surprised a lot of people,” Johnson said.Although Rusty had retired before Hamner took over the department, the dog attended a PAWS award ceremony with Johnson where he met the new chief and was given a lifetime achievement award in 2013. Like any good dog, Rusty enjoyed a pat on the head and treats even more than physical affection. Hamner said he knows the kind of support and benefit a K-9 officer can bring to a department. “Animals bring a special kind of spirit to the places they work,” he said. The Bainbridge Police Department hasn’t had a dog since Rusty retired; it’s something the department still is considering, Hamner said. Poulsbo got a new K-9 last year: Kilo, whose handler is Officer Nick Hoke. Bainbridge Island is the only department in Kitsap County without a police dog. Those who knew Rusty said he was always friendly and happy.
Drug tracking dogs are not trained to track or attack people, even those committing crimes. Rusty loved everyone, Johnson said, especially women. “At home, he stuck to my wife like glue,” Johnson said. Rusty recently injured his leg trying to jump out of the bathtub after hiding during a thunderstorm. A vet treating the broken leg also discovered bone cancer. The prognosis was not in Rusty’s favor, and Johnson made a difficult decision to end is friend and former partner’s suffering.”He was the best partner anyone could have,” Johnson said.
