In Loving Memory of
K-9 PEPSIE
May 15, 2004

Partner-Handler: Krishea Osborne

PEPSIE - FOREVER A HERO
You are lean, hard & strong
Your movements deliberate & swift
Your eyes sharply focused, fearless & bright
You were born to work the night

Your training, long and hard
Full of blood, sweat & tears
Your potential infinite
You are one of a kind

You are trustworthy, loyal & brave
You are quick to react
Always ready to fight, serve & protect
You stand strong in the face of danger & chaos

Together we stand tall & confident
Side by side
Guardians of the night
Defenders of the day

People look at you with awe & fear
They think I’m crazy to hold you near
Because you are tough, I appreciate you more
You are my partner, my protector, my friend, my son

 GOD needs an Angel to stand by him at the gate of heaven
Our time together on earth has come to an end
I keep a part of you in me
Everywhere I am, there you will be

One day we will be reunited
Until then stand still & proud
Know you made a difference in the lives you touched
YOU WERE A ONCE IN A LIFETIME GIFT FROM GOD & FOREVER MY HERO!

On May 15,2004 my police K-9, Pepsie, passed away from complications related to the Chemotherapy he was receiving for a tumor in his chest.  Pepsie was diagnosed with Cancer in late February 2004, and worked right up his untimely death, he would have had it no other way.  Pepsie and I were united as a K-9 team in June of 1997.  He was a 1 year old Belgian Malinois, and was tough as they come.  My trainer offered multiple times to get me a K-9 that was easier for me to handle.  You see, in the world of K-9's, you don't see too many women handling a dog of his caliber and toughness.  I saw his potential and was determined to bring out his full potential.  Pepsie faithfully served the Athens Police Department and was utilized 1,321 times, was responsible for 392 arrests for narcotics violations and suspect apprehensions for various felonies.  K-9 Pepsie never thought of the risks involved in his duties, and he never showed fear in the line of duty, even though he was asked to perform his duties in potentially hazardous situations.  On 5/7/04 K-9 Pepsie was deployed for his final apprehension.  He was called upon to locate a suspect that fled from Athens County Sheriff's Deputies into a dark wooded area.  It was unknown if the suspect was armed.  A deputy pointed in the direction he thought the suspect ran, up a hill in the woods.  K-9 Pepsie searched around that area not picking up any scent.  I re-started him at the bottom of the hill and allowed him to search wherever he wanted.  Pepsie searched with his head up crashing fearlessly through dense brush in the opposite direction the deputy had reported the suspect running.  Pepsie located the suspect lying motionless, face down in a ditch line with his hands tucked under him.  As soon as Pepsie started barking, the suspect gave up and was totally compliant with officers, yelling that he did not want bit.  This was the 3rd suspect that had given up when faced with Pepsie, after he had been diagnosed with Cancer. Pepsie was the most successful police K-9 in our area.  In 1999 he was responsible for the largest one time seizure of LSD ever in the State of Ohio, with 16,200 hits.  He was responsible for the overall seizure of over 23,000 hits of LSD for the year.  He won the USPCA district 5 catch of the month for that seizure. 
He won catch of the month for a seizure of over 74 pounds of Marijuana and 3 ounces of Cocaine that lead to the seizure of over 4 million dollars in assets.  Pepsie was responsible for taking hundreds of pounds of Marijuana and various other drugs off the streets of his community during his career.  He was also responsible for the apprehension of over a dozen of felony suspects.  Pepsie kept me and his fellow officers safe.  When suspects were fighting or thinking of fighting with officers, as soon as the thundering bark of Pepsie was on scene they decided to become submissive.  One Ohio Dept. of Public Safety officer summed it up after learning of Pepsi's death, "That dog saved my tail on more than one occasion over the years, and for that I'll never forget him!" Pepsie was beloved by everyone who met him.  Pepsie was a "king" among police K-9's.  Many handlers, to this day, brag about how incredible a dog Pepsie was and strive to have their k-9's work at the caliber Pepsie worked.  He was a sweet prince when it came to children, and he met and played with thousands.  He was always getting letters from children, including after he was diagnosed with Cancer.  Pepsie never met a stranger, and if you were afraid of dogs, he made it his mission to change your mind, and
always did.  Our dept. DARE officer said children cried when they heard of his passing.  I received hundreds of  letters from children, community members and people who had never met Pepsie, only heard of him through other K-9 Handlers. Our community is very liberal, and when K-9's were first introduced into the community, there was a lot of negative feelings.  Pepsie through his hard work, dedication and love for his community turned that opinion around in the end.  So much so, that community members and businesses wanted to donate money to replace him.Ultimately, Petland, donated the money that was used to purchase my new K-9, Jersey in July, 2004. 
 I believe that Pepsie sent me Jersey.  Jersey is a very smart dog, and I believe he will be very successful, and give his all to fill the paw prints left by Pepsie.  It is so nice to have people like you, to care about the most dedicated law enforcement officers GOD ever created, K-9's.  It has been 8 months since I lost my partner, it doesn't get any easier to talk about, but it helps to share his memory with others.  Thank You so very much for caring for our heroes!  I have included a photo of Pepsie and a poem I wrote him after his death.  
 K & J