In Loving Memory of
MWD REXO
( MILITARY WORKING DOG )
December 6, 2007

Handler: Senior Airman John Spearing
78th Security Forces Squadron
Robins Air Force Base -  GA  

Handler: Senior Airman John Spearing
78th Security Forces Squadron
Robins Air Force Base -  GA

Deployed Military Working Dog dies from medical condition
Rexo waits for his handler Senior Airman John Spearing to get instructions before participating in a Brave Defender training scenario Oct. 23 at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The two-week course has now added a military working dog tract to the curriculum. Airman Spearing is with the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Robins AFB, GA. 
MORE: by Holly Birchfield  78th ABW/PA
SrA Shawn Kaup and military working dog, Rexo, inspect a vehicle at a check point in Baghdad. 
1/25/2008 - Robins Air Force Base, GA -- Senior Airman John Spearing, a military working dog handler in the 78th Security Forces Squadron, set out on his first deployment with Rexo, a 7-year-old German shepherd explosives detection and patrol military working dog in November 2007. Although the 23-year-old Pueblo, Colo., native knew the value of the dog's work, his true appreciation for his K-9 partner and friend was realized inside the walls of the Balad Air Base hospital where his faithful companion died on Dec. 6, during surgery to break up a kidney stone in his bladder. A few short days earlier, as Airman Spearing was taking Rexo out for a break, he noticed the dog was expelling blood as he urinated. Airman Spearing took Rexo to the base's veterinarian staff that performed a series of medical tests to diagnose and treat the problem.  After trying different methods to help Rexo pass the stone, finally a urologist performed surgery to break up the stone. It was a surgery that proved too much for the canine.  "(On) the day of the surgery, he was fine," Airman Spearing said. "They put him under and about an hour into the surgery, there were complications. First, he stopped breathing." Airman Spearing said Rexo's heart began to give out during the surgery, so the veterinarian and other assisting surgeons began giving chest compressions on the dog, while Airman Spearing fed his partner oxygen. Moments later, Rexo's body gave out. It was more than Airman Spearing could take.
"Oh, I didn't move," he said. "At first, I thought he was breathing real slow, so at first, I didn't think anything else. When it took about 20 minutes to resuscitate him, it really hit me."  Airman Spearing said losing Rexo was like losing a family member. "He becomes like a part of your family," he said. "Rexo was a pretty happy dog. Even on your worst day, he could make you smile."  Airman Spearing said he spent a lot of his free time hanging out with his best friend. "In Balad, especially when you're attached to the Army, that dog stays with you," he said. "He'd sleep in the same room with me. He would just jump up on the bed, hang out, and watch TV. I'd take him for breaks and walks."
The handler's bond with Rexo was strong.
"You'd see him almost every single day for seven months," he said. "Even on the weekends, you go in and check on him. Probably the longest I've been away from him was for four days when I went on a cruise. That was the only thing I was thinking about was going back and taking him out of his kennel." Airman Spearing wasn't the only one bonded to Rexo though. Senior Airman Shawn Kaup, a military working dog handler in the 78th SFS who worked with Rexo for a year and a half, and deployed for about six months with the dog, also held Rexo in high esteem. "Rexo was a very laid back, loving, very compassionate military working dog," he said. "He always wanted to be around his handler. He was very loyal to his handler. He was very obedient and very deserving of the name 'military working dog."  When the solitude of their deployments left Airman Kaup feeling lonely, the father of two knew he had one he could count on. "As dog handlers, when we deploy, we're not joined with other people or other squads," he said. "We're there by ourselves. When I was deployed to Iraq, it was just him and me. He was kind of not necessarily my partner, but he was like my son in a way. He was always there. He always gave me someone to talk to. If I was down, he could lift my spirit just by (our) playing together, wrestling around, licking my face. He was a very compassionate, very lovable, very loyal dog." Rexo, who had been with the 78th SFS since May 2003, impressed people with his on-the-job skills also. From performing explosive detection sweeps at area schools to securing areas where the President of the United States would visit, Airman Kaup said the military working dog was always on his game professionally. Rexo earned numerous awards during his military career.   Members of the 78th SFS said they lost a valuable part of their work family that December day. Tech. Sgt. David Barber, kennel master in the 78th SFS, said the loss has left many in the squadron in dismay.  "It's just kind of a shock to lose a dog that young," he said. "(With) the older dogs, you have time to prepare for it. But, with Rexo, we looked forward to working with him for many years to come, but then he was gone."  The squadron will hold a memorial service in honor of Rexo in the future. 
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K-9 ROBBIE
November 17, 2007

Handler: Erik Forseth 
PEMBROKE PINES POLICE DEPARTMENT
9500 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
(954) 431-2200

In Loving Memory of
PSD ROCKY 
July 29, 2007 
-
Handler: Cst. Darcy Brandt
884 - 2 Street S.E.
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8H2
CANADA
Phone: (403) 529-8400 Fax: (403) 529-8444 
General Inquiries Email: brefis@medicinehat.ca

On November 30, 2003, Cst. Darcy Brandt deployed Rocky to track a suspect that had fled on foot and was wanted for Criminal Code and Drug offences. It appeared Rocky only suffered minor injuries as a result of the arrest. Further medical treatment and X-rays revealed that Rocky had been impaled by a tree branch in the chest. On July 29, 2007 while recovering from a fifth surgery Rocky died. It was later determined that a piece of wood had lodged near some vital organs causing complications and eventually his passing. Now knowing the extent of his injuries his successful career was an extraordinary accomplishment.
MORE:
K-9 Unit  - > Police Service Dog Honoured
P.S.D. ROCKY   K9 - 16 
On November 30, 2003, Cst. Darcy BRANDT deployed Police Service Dog (PSD) Rocky to track a suspect that had fled on foot and was wanted for Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences.  Rocky tracked through numerous yards, alleys, and streets and located the subject hiding in a heavily bushed area.  Rocky entered the bushes to apprehend the suspect who was not complying with the Police officers on scene.  Rocky captured the suspect who was taken into Police custody.  It appeared Rocky only suffered minor injuries as a result of the arrest.  Further medical treatment and X-rays revealed that Rocky had been impaled by a tree branch in the chest. From December 2003 to July 2007, Rocky underwent five surgeries to remove the fragmented wood that had now spread throughout his body. Rocky continued to work and was very successful in locating criminals and drugs.  On July 29, 2007 while recovering from a fifth surgery Rocky died. It was later determined that a piece of wood had lodged in his pancreas causing complications and eventually his passing. Now knowing the extent of his injuries this was an extraordinary accomplishment. 
The National Police Service Dog Monument 
to see monuments: 
http://www.cpwda.com
On October 16, 2007, PSD Rocky was accepted to The National Police Service Dog Monument at the RCMP Kennels in Innisfail, Alberta.  The Monument recognizes Police Service Dogs that are killed in the line of duty in Canada. Rocky fulfilled his duties as a Medicine Hat Police Service Dog and protected the citizens of this City. He will now be remembered as the 33 Police Dog in Canada to die in the Line Of Duty Since 1963. http://policedogheroes.ca 
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K-9 RICKY
May, 2007

Handler: Sgt. Lee Bunting
Montgomery County Sheriff 
 S Main Street
Troy, North Carolina 27371  (910)572-1313
Faulty Air Conditioning Blamed for Death of Police Dog 5/21/07 North Carolina 
A police dog died while on duty last week after an air conditioning sensor broke on the car he was left in.
"We had some problems with the air conditioning unit that we weren't aware of until it was too late," explained Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Jordan. After searching for drugs in a stopped car, Ricky, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, was left in the car while his handler, Sgt. Lee Bunting, went to court. "We searched the vehicle, I put him back, gave him water, went to court.....The air conditioning was running wide open," recalled Bunting. Bunting said he ever rolled down the back window to make sure Ricky had fresh air. When he returned an hour and 45 minutes later, the air conditioning was blowing warm air and Ricky didn't respond to Bunting's calls. "I picked him up and laid him along the pavement between my vehicle and another vehicle. I got my water container out of the trunk and emptied it on him. That didn't seem to help," he said. Bunting rushed Ricky to a shaded area next to the courthouse and grabbed a water hose to try to keep the dog as cool as possible. "I got down, put my ear to his chest, didn't hear a heart beat and I started to administer CPR on him at that time," said Bunting. Ricky couldn't be revived, and now Montgomery County is without a police dog. The department is waiting to see if insurance will help buy another. The sheriff's department spent about $10,000 to train Ricky. According to the North American Police Dog Association, dozens of police dogs die each year due to faulty air conditioning units and faulty heat alarms. "If we get one half as good when we replace this dog, we'll be doing quite good," said Jordan. 
submitted by Jim Cortina

In Loving Memory of
K-9 RANGER
October 2007

Handler: Officer Milt Mulholland 
Brentwood Police Department
add - phone 412-884-2600
Brentwood, PA

'One of a kind' K-9 officer mourned in Brentwood
The children at Moore Elementary School in Brentwood saw Ranger as just another friendly police officer, said Principal Bob Monaghan. "The kids were always excited when he visited during assemblies," Monaghan said of the Brentwood police K-9. "He was pretty imposing. I discourage parents from bringing dogs to the school because some little ones get frightened, but we didn't get that reaction with Ranger." The German shepherd that spent eight years with Brentwood police died last month after surgery for cancer, said Mayor Ken Lockhart. "All the kids loved him," said police Chief Robert Butelli. Butelli said the dog was affectionate when greeted by children at football games or during the borough's annual July Fourth parade. But he also described him as a "valuable asset" when apprehending suspects, tracking missing adults and children, and helping with drug seizures. According to the borough's Web site, Ranger had more than $900,000 in cash and drug seizures and helped find five missing children and one adult. The borough acquired the dog in 1999 when he and Officer Milt Mulholland left the Pittsburgh.
submitted by Jim Cortina & Renee Konias
******
The K9 ranger has been in service in Brentwood since November 1999. During his career he has over 900 thousand in cash and drug finds. He has also located 5 lost children and one elderly person with Alzheimer's. He also has 14 street felony apprehensions, the most of any dog in Western Pennsylvania.

Animals n like people - are all unique, but some are just special.
K9 law enforcement officers put everything they have into their job. Working with a human partner, who is also their best friend and caretaker, they also put themselves “on the line.” Their job, too, is to protect and defend. Losing one of them is as tough as losing any other partner.  Rommel (Ben), a four-year-old German Shepherd, had been a member of the Hendry County Sheriffs Office for about a year. Last Saturday night, Sept. 15, while working a DUI checkpoint on SR 29S at Wilson Road, Rommel collapsed. Rommel’s handler, Sgt. Bruce Slade, is a certified canine drugs and explosives detection trainer. He has been with the Hendry County Sheriff's Office for five and a half years. He said Rommel had just made one pass during a narcotic search. Sgt. Slade checked his stricken partner and then drove him to the animal hospital in Fort Myers. It was to no avail, the dog died enroute. An autopsy showed Rommel had a golf ball-sized tumor in his heart that could only have been found through ultrasound. Rommel had never shown any signs of a physical problem. Almost exactly a year ago Rommel came to work for the Hendry County Sheriffs Office and became Sgt. Slade’s partner. The 106-pound German Shepherd was born in Holland, and was titled there in International Trial Rules, level 3 (IPO3) in tracking, obedience and protection. Rommel and Sgt. Slade graduated recently from Lee County Sheriffs Office K9 school, where he earned his certification in narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection and patrol duties. Early in his career, Rommel had done his part both in serving several search warrants and at vehicle stops. He had successfully tracked one suspect. This tragic night was his first night checkpoint. “Rommel loved to work -- he was enthusiastic. He just lived to work and he was a good family dog,” Sgt. Slade said. He and Rommel had done several K9 demonstrations throughout the city over the past year. The law enforcement community will show its respects to Rommel at a memorial service Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the LaBelle Civic Center. The service will begin at 11 a.m. Rommel’s ashes will be presented to Sgt. Slade at that time. The public is also invited to pay their respects at the service.   submitted by lulu

It is with very heavy hearts and the deepest regret that the Glassboro Police Department announces the passing of K-9 REX on August 2, 2007 at 0545 hours.  Ten year old Rex expired under the care of the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania after being diagnosed with inoperable and terminal cancer.  K-9 Rex and his handler, Ptl. Butch Moore, were trained at the Philadelphia Police K-9 Academy in June of 2000. They graduated from Basic Patrol Course and from the New Jersey State Police K-9 Training Unit from the Explosive Detection Course  in November 2001. They were also certified with the USPCA (United States Police Canine Association) and received numerous awards and achievements throughout their career. This K-9 team bravely served the community of Glassboro and several other municipalities throughout our region working with various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. During the 8 years of service, Rex and Ptl. Moor were responsible for the apprehension of numerous violent criminals, for finding lost children, for searching out explosives, and for thrilling crowds at numerous K-9 demonstrations like the Philadelphia Hero Scholarship Thrill Show. Rex and Ptl. Moore were recognized by the Governor of the State of New Jersey for their efforts during the tragedy at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  All that said, Rex's most important duties were being a loyal partner, protector, and friend to Butch and his family. K-9 Rex and Ptl. Moore served with the kind of dedication and commitment not commonly found in any professional discipline.  Rex will be sorely missed, however he has, without question, earned his place on the Glassboro Police Department's K-9 Memorial.  Rex, a Czechoslovakian shepherd l was still working at the time of his death.
Submitted by Office R. Giordano    (Bob & I attended this sad service)

Prison dog handlers await discipline in canine's death
Two Department of Corrections dog handlers are waiting to see whether they will be disciplined after a canine they cared for died last month. The dog, Rik, is one of five Arizona law enforcement dogs that have died - three in heat related incidents - since March. The dog, a 5-year-old Belgian malinois stationed at Perryville Prison in Goodyear, was in his outdoor exercise run from 9 a.m. until about noon on July 2. Rik was alone without any handlers during the morning exercise, when dogs are allowed to roam in an enclosed area with water. The temperatures reached 105 in Phoenix by noon that day, according to the National Weather Service. A corrections employee discovered the canine was in "distress." The dog was taken to a veterinarian, but died in the evening, department spokesman Bill Lamoreaux said.
Although no official cause of death has been announced, the two canine handlers on staff that day have been reassigned, Lamoreaux said. The Department of Corrections has been using dogs for 25 years in its facilities to search for drugs, weapons and suspects. There are an additional 46 dogs on staff, although Lamoreaux said he is unsure whether any of their routines have been changed. The other canine deaths:
• In March, a Mesa police dog was struck and killed by a vehicle while in pursuit of a suspect, 
and a Phoenix Police Department dog died of heat related illness. 
• In July, Bandit, a Chandler police dog, died after being left in his handler's police vehicle 
for about 12 hours. 
• On Monday, a Department of Public Safety dog was struck and killed by a semi-truck 
on Interstate 10 outside of Benson while helping in an arrest. 
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

The Arizona Department of Public Safety has identified the police dog who was killed in the line of duty Monday evening during a chase on Interstate 10 southeast of Tucson. Rico had been with the DPS canine unit for about four years and in that time he was responsible for the seizure of approximately 68,000 pounds of marijuana, five pounds of heroin, 86 pounds of cocaine, 95 pounds of meth amphetamine and nearly $1 million in U.S. currency, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety. Rico’s death stemmed from an incident on I-10 near milepost 287, just outside of Benson, at about 7:10 p.m. when a DPS officer attempted to pull over a Chevrolet pickup truck for speeding excessively, the release said. The officer turned on his emergency lights, but the driver did not stop, instead accelerating, which led to a short pursuit, the release said. Within a minute, the driver pulled off the roadway but he and his passenger bailed from truck and ran. At that time, the officer saw 967 pounds of marijuana in the truck and began chasing after them on foot. He also deployed Rico to help in catching the men. The officer caught one of the men, but lost sight of Rico, the release said. For an unknown reason, Rico apparently became distracted and instinctively return to the patrol car. The second man was also arrested but at some point, Rico ran out onto I-10 where he was fatally struck by a tractor trailer, the release said. The two men in the truck have been identified as Miguel Angel Mendivil Noreiga, 25, and C. Marco Antonio Miranda Siqueiros, 29. Both men are illegal entrants from Mexico, the release said. Both were to be booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.
+++++++++++++ AND ++++++++++++
Fallen DPS dog joined in scores of arrests By Alexis Huicochea - arizona daily star
An Arizona Department of Public Safety dog killed in the line of duty has been lauded as one of the 
hardest working members of the department's canine unit.  Seven-year-old Rico had been with the department
for about four years when he ran into traffic on Interstate 10 southeast of Tucson about 7:10 p.m. Monday
and was struck by a tractor trailer rig, said DPS Sgt. Paul Castellano. Rico is the third law enforcement dog to die in the line of duty in the last three years in the Tucson area. According to Castellano, Rico and his handler, a 16 year veteran with the department, were trying to capture two men who ran from a truck after a traffic stop.  The truck was westbound on I-10 at milepost 287 when the officer tried to pull it over for speeding, Castellano said.  A three mile chase ensued but came to an end when the truck crashed and the two men bailed, he said. Inside the truck the officer found 967 pounds of marijuana. The officer and Rico chased the men and were able to catch and arrest them, Castellano said. As the suspects were being handcuffed, Rico returned to the patrol car, as he is trained to do, but at some point he became confused and ran into the road, where he was struck by the 18 wheeler.  Rico was pronounced dead at the scene, Castellano said. The driver of the rig did not remain at the scene and authorities had no information on the driver or the vehicle.  Castellano said no charges are expected against the driver of the tractor trailer rig but asks that he or she come forward to assist with the investigation and to bring closure. "The officers take the dogs home with them, they become a member of their families and a part of our families as well," Castellano said. "The dogs are trained to risk their own lives for the officers." Added an emotional Sgt. Ray Kennedy, supervisor of the dog unit, "Rico was an extremely important canine. The officers and canines in this area and state are some of the most dedicated, hardworking teams there are." The two men, Miguel Angel Mendivil, 25, and Marco Antonio Miranda-Siqueiros, 28, were booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. The Arizona Attorney General's Office is reviewing the case to determine if the men will face charges in connection with Rico's death, Castellano said. Both men are illegal entrants from Mexico. Rico was one of four DPS dogs working in Tucson, Castellano said. He was responsible for the seizure of about 68,481 pounds of marijuana, 5 pounds of heroin, 86 pounds of cocaine, 95 pounds of meth amphetamine and more than $800,000 in U.S. currency, according to the DPS.  Rico also took part in the seizure of 66 vehicles, 36 weapons, 44 stolen vehicles and 131 drug related arrests. DPS officials said the agency has the funds to replace Rico, but they do not know when that will happen. Rico, a Belgian Malinois, was purchased for about $6,000. A dog now costs about $8,000. The dogs in the DPS canine unit must successfully complete a 10 week course with their handlers before they will begin working on the street. It takes about a year before the dogs are considered fully trained. They also undergo eight hours of training every week and have to be recertified annually for narcotics and patrol work, Kennedy said. Most dogs work until they are about 7 years old before they retire, he added. This is the first time an Arizona DPS dog has been killed in the line of duty, Castellano said. The last law enforcement dog killed on duty in the Tucson area was Miko, in 2006. He served with the Tucson Police Department for nearly three years before jumping off a bridge while chasing a suspected carjacker and suffering fatal injuries. According to Arizona Daily Star archives, a Pima County Sheriff's Department dog also named Rico was killed in the line of duty in 2004 as deputies were chasing a man suspected of stealing a motorcycle. Rico was following the man across Interstate 19 when he was struck by a vehicle. A memorial service for Rico, the DPS dog, is being planned and should be announced in the next few days.  Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 629-9412 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com.****Memorial service set Wednesday for police dog killed near Benson  9/5/07  Arizona ******* UPDATE
Rico, four years with the canine unit, was responsible for the seizure of approximately 68,000 pounds of marijuana, five pounds of heroin, 86 pounds of cocaine, 95 pounds of meth amphetamine and nearly $1 million in cash during his career. The Arizona Department of Public Safety will have a memorial service for the police dog Rico in Tucson on Wednesday morning. The memorial service will be held at the Tucson headquarters at 6401 S. Tucson Blvd. today at 10 a.m. Rico died helping in a pursuit. Officer Keith Duckett was trying to pull over a speeding Chevrolet truck on Interstate 10 near Benson around 7 p.m. Aug. 20. After turning on his emergency lights, Duckett followed the suspects as they drove off the interstate and crashed the truck. The two men fled from the truck after a three-mile pursuit. Rico helped the officer pursue the two men. While the first suspect was taken into custody, Rico became distracted and instinctively headed back toward the patrol car. During the arrest of the second suspect, Rico ran back across the interstate. He was struck and killed by a semi-tractor trailer. Nearly 970 pounds of marijuana were found in the truck abandoned by Miguel Angel Mendivil Noreiga, 25, and C. Marco Antonio Miranda Siqueiros, 29, according to Public Safety officials. Both men were booked into the Pima County Sheriff's office jail in Tucson on suspicion of transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. The men are undocumented immigrants from Mexico, according to the Department of Public Safety. The canine's death follows the March death of a Mesa Police Department dog that was struck and killed by a vehicle after chasing a suspect. In addition, two dogs have perished from heat related illnesses: a Phoenix Police Department canine died in March, and a Chandler Police Department canine died in August. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA  &  Owen Keefe

On 17 February 2007 K9 Robby attended his last detail which was the 2007 Hank Days Parade. K9 Robby and his handler, Dentition officer James Rochester, represented the department as they have in past years by attending the parade procession. At approximately 18:44 hours, K9 Robby suddenly passed away at Officer Rochester's residence where he was boarded. K9 Robby has conducted random searches in the Detention Center prisoner housing units, Yuma County Courthouse and perimeter, in-coming property, high risk cell extraction's and over 400 hrs. of in  service training since 2001. Robby is sadly missed by all at the. submitted by Renee' Konias

A retired New Castle police canine dies after a seven-month battle with cancer 
- By Debbie Wachter Morris - New Castle News
A retired New Castle canine officer has succumbed to cancer. Rico, an 8-year-old award-winning Belgian Malinois, was euthanized July 25 after his battle with the disease, according to New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone. The dog had been living with his owner and handler, Mark Darcangelo, since his retirement from the force in April 2006. Darcangelo, a patrolman, took Rico with him when he left the police force a year ago to work as a Homeland Security agent, based in Washington, D.C.  He choked up yesterday, talking about the bond he had shared with his partner and faithful friend. “I worked with him eight hours a day, then he slept with me at night and when I watched television he was beside me,” Darcangelo said. “No matter where I went, there he was.” When Rico retired from the police department, Darcangelo was grateful to keep him, thanks to Sansone’s help, he said. When Darcangelo and his wife, Heather, were married two years ago, Rico became a family dog and was loyal to both of them. But Rico would miss his owner, and his owner would miss him, when he left for assignments. Darcangelo was alarmed in December when he noticed a bump on Rico’s chest. A Maryland veterinarian broke the bad news — Rico had an aggressive cancer and might live only about two months. As the tumor grew, Rico was given drugs to slow the process and he had lived seven months when the couple agreed to end his suffering. “He was a fighter,” Darcangelo said. Rico was hired by the New Castle police in April 2004. He understood English and Dutch commands as well as hand and arm signals. Born in Holland, he was imported for police work.  He previously worked for the Youngstown police but was retired from there for budgetary reasons. Youngstown’s loss was New Castle’s — and Darcangelo’s — gain. Tri-State Canine Services of Warren, Ohio, had notified the New Castle police that Rico was available for adoption, and Darcangelo wanted him as his partner, Sansone said. The police department paid $1,000 for him, and it received a donation from Mr. Pizza on East Washington Street to purchase a canine-equipped patrol car,
which is still in use.    -    submitted by Renee Konias

Longview Police Department's most successful K9 dies of old age
Longview's K9 Reno, the most successful police dog in the Longview Police Department's history, died Sunday at home. His partner, Officer Steve Dennis, said Reno, who would have been 12 next month, had been troubled with back and hip problems in recent months. Shepherds have a life span of 10 to 12 years. Born Sept. 18, 1995, in the Czech Republic, Reno was shipped to the United States in 1998 by a breeder who looks overseas for dogs bred with tracking skills. Dennis saw him in January 1998, a week after Reno arrived in the states, and chose him before anyone else got the chance. Because Reno didn't understand English, Dennis had to learn to command him in Czech. On his first night on the job, in April 1998, Reno captured his first suspect. By the time he retired in November 2004, he had racked up 184 captures. "This dog is in a league of his own," former Longview Police Captain Stan Munger said upon Reno's retirement. "He's the premier K9 in my 23 1/2 years of service. This is an all-star. This is like Ichiro Suzuki -- our top hitter. " In August 2003, Reno became nationally famous for capturing William Allan Repp for the fourth time in connection with car theft and eluding. The story still shows up on Google searches. Sometimes Reno's reputation alone was enough to make a capture, Dennis said. One night in the rural Kalama area, Reno was tracking a suspect into the woods. Dennis announced police presence, waited in vain for a response, then warned the suspect he would be bitten if he didn't come out. "This voice comes, 'What dog is that?' " Dennis said. "I said, 'It doesn't matter, come out.' " Again, the suspect asked which dog it was. "I said it was Reno. He said, 'Don't send him in -- I'm coming out!' " Dennis said. "He definitely loved his work, that was for sure," Dennis said. "And he was such a nice dog. His temperament -- he's good around the kids. He knew when it was time to work and he knew when it was time to play." After Reno retired, people often asked Dennis how his dog was doing. "It's amazing," Dennis said. "He really took the town by storm." It took Reno about 6 months to a year "to kind of settle down and get into retirement mode," Dennis said. He really slowed down in the last year and a half. Reno will be buried at a deputy's residence west of town where he loved to romp when Dennis was out of town.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA & R. Konias

Handler: Officer Oscar Santos 
osantos@indiopd.org
Indio Police Department
46800 Jackson St
Indio, California 92201 - (760)347-8522 

Indio police dog dies this morning- 7/5/07
Rotor, an active Indio Police dog, unexpectedly died Thursday morning of complications from old age, Indio police said. Rotor, 9,
 was born in Germany and served with his partner, Officer Oscar Santos, for five years.“ We’ll miss seeing him,” Indio Police
Spokesman Ben Guitron said. “They become very attached to the staff.” Indio’s canine unit is down to one dog now following a
 retirement and another officer’s promotion. The department is looking for a replacement, which will be purchased and trained
 through community donations. Call 391-4111 to make a donation or for more information.  submitted by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir.
 

In Loving Memory of
K-9 ROWDY 
 2007

Handler: Deputy Aaron Giesige
Defiance County Sheriff's Office
  113 Biede Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-1155 Phone 419-784-1592 Fax

A Defiance County Sheriff's dog, which was trained in drug detection, search and recovery, and aggression, 
was struck by a car and killed instantly in a hit-and-run incident in southeastern Defiance County. (date) Rowdy, a German shepherd, was about 6.5 years old and was part of the sheriff's crew for 5 years. He was hit shortly after 4 PM on Harris Road just south of Hoffman Road in Highland Twp. in the far southeast corner of Defiance County where he lived with his handler Deputy Aaron Giesige. Rowdy had run onto the road into the path of a light blue car that was northbound on Harris Rd. The driver did not stop, according to the Ohio Highway Patrols Defiance post, which is investigating. A spokesman for the sheriff's department said today that Towdy was outside Deputy Giesige's home being "attended to" by a family member when he chased an animal onto the road and was killed. Rowdy's death leaves Sheriff David Westrick with one GSD named Malek, 2 years old and has been with the offices less than a year. 
submitted by Jim Cortina

The Mono County Sheriffs Department reported Thursday that canine officer Razor was killed in a traffic accident in Riverside, CA. Undersheriff Greg Busey said Razor, a black German shepherd, and his handler, Deputy Ruben Ortiz, were attending a training session in Riverside.  While off -duty, Ortiz and Razor were separated. When Ortiz called out to the dog, Razor responded and was struck by an oncoming car Wednesday.  He was rushed to a veterinarian but was pronounced dead. The 2-year-old dog was trained in general patrol operations and narcotics detection.  He had been a member of the department in Bridgeport, Calif., for less than a year, Busey said.  The accident is almost a year to the day that Douglas County canine officer Jon-Jon was killed in a patrol car fire. Jon-Jon died Feb. 4, 2006, when faulty wiring ignited and the patrol car burst into flames. Deputy Rick Koontz and another officer were investigating a burglar alarm when the fire broke out.  Jon-Jon died from smoke inhalation despite the deputy's efforts to rescue him. Jon-Jon was honored with full department honors at a memorial service Feb. 25, 2006, that attracted law enforcement personnel and canine officers from all over Nevada and as far away as Idaho.
 submitted by Jim Cortina

May, 2007

Handler: Sgt. Lee Bunting

In Loving Memory of
K-9 REXO
June 2007

breed of K9????
Officer Paul Hubka
San Diego Police Department
1401 Broadway
 San Diego, CA 92101