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In Loving Memory of
K-9 MAC
October 14,
1982
Ceremony
2000
Handler:
Patrolman
Robert Parrish
Trenton Police Department
225 N. Clinton
Ave.
Trenton, NJ
08609
The Best
Partner
by Ken Carolan
The Trentonia, Oct. 16, 1982
He was a most
unlikely recruit. Even in this day of equal opportunity and affirmative
action, his appearance and questionable background would surely
disqualify him. Dirty and unkempt, skinny, with no visible means of
support and no known address, cowering when anyone approached him - no;
he would never make it on the Trenton Police force most people believed.
That's most people, not all. Patrolman Bob Parrish sensed something
about him, this scrungy looking creature who showed up outside the K9
training center every day. Parrish had just transferred to the K-9 unit
and was waiting for a dog to become his partner. Usually someone donates
a suitable animal. This one volunteered by himself. Despite some
skeptics, Bob took the dog home. First, a much needed bath, then a
couple of weeks of good food, a lot of love and care from Bob and
family. "Mac" was ready to report for K-9 training. some people might
say Bob Parrish adopted Mac. I saw the two of them together many times.
Believe me, it was the other way around. I never saw a dog so devoted to
his mater, in this case, his partner. Mac Breezed through the training
period, obviously loving every minute, especially when he knew he
pleased his partner with his performance. Once on the street on regular
patrol he was all business. But, Bob's wife, Patty, told me as soon as
Mac came home after duty, he was just a friendly pup romping with the
children, gentle and affectionate with everyone. In less than five
months on the force, ......
There was a
ceremony this year (2000)
The service helped
to bring closure for Officer Parrish. On October 14, 1982, Patrolman Bob
Parrish and his K-9 partner, Mac, responded to a burglary in progress at
a tavern. On their arrival, the officers at the scene reported seeing
the silhouette of a person on the premise. Patrolman Parrish and Mac
entered the building and conducted a search as they were trained. It was
in the basement that a suspect armed with a knife lunged from a utility
closet. As he was trained, Mac pounced on the suspect and during the
ensuing struggle, Mac was stabbed in the chest and mortally wounded.
Patrolman Parrish rushed his partner to the veterinary hospital, where
Mac died from his wound shortly after arriving. Mac will always be
remembered by the Trenton Police Department for his service and the
extreme sacrifice he made in the performance of his duties. Mac's
presence on the scene likely saved an officer from serious injury from
the armed suspect who was predisposed to attack with his knife. As the
result of Mac's death, New Jersey passed legislation making it a crime
to assault a Police Animal.
In Loving Memory of
K-9 MAX
January 24, 1991 - December
29, 2000
Handler:
Officer Terrence O'Connor
New Castle Police Department
NEW CASTLE
HEADQUARTERS BLDG.
3601 NORTH
DUPONT HWY.
NEW CASTLE,
DE 19720
Max was born in
Kiev, Russia (60 miles from the CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR PLANT).......which is
now the Ukraine. He was imported to the United States and worked as a
Police Service Dog for 5 1/2 years. Max made numerous apprehensions and
drug finds. Max was known for his "very independent" personality. He
was nicknamed "butt head". Max retired 3 years ago due to stress
related problems. He was very sociable with children and a cherished
member of our family! Max was well loved by members of the Police
Department and by citizens we contacted as part of our daily routine.
Max was born 01-24-91, died of pneumonia related to Pancreatic Cancer
on 12-29-00.
Max, my first
Police Service Dog. God Bless You........Max!
Max died on
December 29, 2000 of Pnumonia. Max was suffering from what appeared to
be Pancreatic Cancer. I would like to thank Amy Kevis and Chip Shepherd
for being with us when I had to put Max to sleep. His final moments were
peaceful. Max we miss you!
In Loving Memory of
K-9 MARCO
January 18, 2000
Handler:
Officer Cory Smith
98 North Central St.
AMERICAN FORK, UT, USA
With
community donations, many coming from children, the American Fork Police
Department has received more than $10,000
in donations to
purchase a new police service dog to replace Marco,
a Belgium Malinois
4 years old, died Jan. 18 during a routine procedure to repair an
abscessed tooth. Officer Smith lost his partner, Marco after operation
on tooth, he died from complications from undigested food. Marco cannot
be replaced, but working with Nik helps.
Officer Smith has a new partner,
"NIK" from Holland,
March 2000. Good Luck to you both! |
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Maverick ,German Sheppard ,Male 4 1/2-years-old
Sonoma
County Sheriff's Department
Canine Officer Maverick
The
Sonoma County Sheriff's Department is sad to report that
they have lost a Canine in the line of duty. Department
Canine "Maverick" was struck by a motor vehicle and killed
while pursuing two armed suspects that were in possession of
a half pound of amphetamine and a loaded handgun. Maverick,
a male German Shepherd, was donated to the Sheriff
Department on March 26, 1997. Maverick was one and a half
years olds and was assigned to Deputy T.J. VanBebber as his
partner. Maverick went through an extensive training program
which included Field Searching, Suspect Apprehension,
Handler Protection and Obedience Training. Maverick was a
fast learner and was certified to start working patrol
within six weeks. Outside of his fieldwork Maverick
represented the Department in several canine demonstrations.
Because of his friendly demeanor he was repeatedly asked to
perform in demonstrations in local schools. During his short
but productive career, Maverick was responsible for
apprehending several Felony suspects. Maverick was best
known for apprehending three suspects following a vehicle
pursuit from a shots fired call. After the vehicle stopped
three suspects fled on foot. Maverick pursued after the
suspects with Deputy VanBebber. Maverick tackled two of the
suspects, knocking them to the ground. He then pursued the
third suspect, catching him by the leg and holding him till
Deputy VanBebber arrived. On Mavericks last night on patrol
Deputy VanBebber and Maverick were patrolling the area of
west Santa Rosa, which is classified as a high crime area.
Maverick is well known in this area by the criminal types.
Another deputy had made a traffic stop on a vehicle
suspected of being involved in criminal activity and that
deputy requested a back up. Deputy VanBebber and Maverick
responded. As they arrived on scene, the two suspects who
were being detained, could hear Maverick barking from the
patrol vehicle, which was a trademark of his. The suspects,
with the arrival of the canine, started to become
uncooperative with the deputies. The suspects then fled on
foot with Maverick in hot pursuit. During the foot pursuit
the suspect dropped a large quantity of drugs and a loaded
handgun. While crossing a busy street a vehicle swerved to
miss one of the eluding suspects and struck Maverick who had
almost caught up to that suspect. Maverick was immediately
rushed to a nearby veterinarian clinic where he was
pronounced dead a short time later. Maverick died on
February 12, 2000. Although his career was cut short, he was
killed in the line of duty, doing what he loved best,
"Chasing Bad Guys." Maverick - Handler: T. J. VanBebber
"I lost my partner. He was one tough cop.
The
kind of guy who got hit by a car.
He
nearly caught a fleeing drug suspect from behind. |
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s
