
Memorials to Fallen K-9s 2006-W The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of memorial cards to all partners I need your help to inform me of such losses.

Dept. addresses available for those who want to send condolences to officers. See below

In Loving Memory of
K9 WIZZARD
July 27, 2006

Handler: Sgt. Bruce Edwards
Edmonton Police Dept.
Canada

Officer weeps recalling stabbing of police dog 6 years ago

An Edmonton police officer broke down while testifying at his former partner's disciplinary hearing on Tuesday. Sgt. Rod Koshowski was recalling the events of July 27, 2006 when he and his partner Sgt. Bruce Edwards, along with Edwards' police dog Wizzard, were chasing an armed man on the southside.
Koshowski matter-of-factly described how the officers chased Kirk Steele who was carrying a steak knife as he ran from police to avoid being arrested on a parole violation.
But Koshowski's voice faltered when he recalled Steele plunging his knife repeatedly into the dog, eventually breaking down in tears as he described the large amount of blood spraying from Wizzard's chest.
Overcome with emotion, he told the hearing he had worked with the police dog for seven years.
Edwards shot Steele four times after the stabbing, leaving him on life support. Steele said he had already dropped his knife when he was shot.
Edwards now faces a disciplinary hearing, accused of using unnecessary force.
Koshowski told the hearing Tuesday, "I'm still convinced to this day" an officer "would have been stabbed if not for police dog Wizzard."
Both Steele and the police dog eventually made full recoveries.
The hearing is expected to run two weeks.

In Loving Memory of
K9 WILCO
November 25, 2006
9/11/01

Handler: Officer Tim Wright
Harrisonburg Police Department
Public Safety Building
101 N. Main St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Phone: 540-434-2545

MPO Wright has been a duly sworn officer with the Harrisonburg Police Department since 1996. MPO Wright is partnered with a Belgian Malinois named Wilco. Wilco was imported from Holland in 1998 at the age of two. Wilco was trained as a KNPV dog in Holland. Wilco has held certifications in patrol work, narcotic detection and cadaver work. Wilco assisted in the recovery efforts in New York City after the 9/11 attacks. A police K-9, who patrolled Harrisonburg, entertained school children and served at ground zero after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,died from cancer recently. Wilco, a Belgian Malinois, served for eight years and was a founding member of the Harrisonburg Police Department’s K-9 Unit. The department’s longest-serving K-9,he was slated to retire in the coming year but died Nov. 25, 2006,said Lt. Kurt Boshart, police spokesman."He performed his duties as an officer enthusiastically and spent time with his family at home," according to a police statement. Wilco, 10, lived and worked with his handler, Master Police Officer Tim Wright. On days when Wright worked alone, he left home in street clothes and changed into his uniform at the station, so Wilco wouldn’t know he was missing a day on the job.
A Distinguished Career
Born in Holland in 1996, Wilco trained for two years, honing his nose to find illegal drugs, follow a fleeing a suspect or find a ditched a handgun. After joining HPD in 1998, he continued training with Officer C. Showalter and later with Wright. He excelled in finding drugs and persuading suspects to surrender, said Lt. Kurt Boshart, the department’s spokesman. Wilco earned certifications from the Virginia Police Canine Association for work in drug detection, tracking, searches and patrol work, the statement says. He traveled the state to assist other law enforcement agencies in searches, Boshart said. Wilco’s career highlight came in 2001 when he and Showalter went to the ruins of the World Trade Center to help find victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. A new Belgian Malinois, Rocco, is in training to work with Wright, Boshart said, adding that it’s expected to be a gradual transition. "A K-9 handler and their dog are very, very close."

NR Article
The Harrisonburg Police Department's K-9 Unit is comprised of four officers and one supervisor, all of which are full time handlers. Each member of the unit has been partnered with Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dogs. The dogs are crossed trained in Patrol Utility Work and Scent Detection Work. Patrol Utility Work includes tracking, article searches, building searches, and apprehension work. Scent Detection Work includes narcotic detection and explosive detection.

In memory of Harrisonburg Police Department's K9 Hero, Wilco. He served in the 9/11 attacks to help find and recover victims, and has served as MPO Wright's K9 for the last few years. He recently died of Cancer.WE MISS YOU WILCO!!

From the HPD website
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MPO Wright has been a duly sworn officer with the Harrisonburg Police Department since 1996. MPO Wright is partnered with a Belgian Malinois named Wilco. Wilco was imported from Holland in 1998 at the age of two. ...