In Loving Memory of
K9 EX
November 7, 2008
Handler - Patrolman John Shindledecker
Waynesboro Police Department
57 East Main Street
Waynesboro, PA
17268 Non-Emergency: 717-762-2132
Ex sniffed out drugs, tracked people and took down
bad guys for eight years. The Waynesboro Police Department put down
their fellow officer, the canine named Ex because of advancing cancer on
Nov. 7, two weeks after being taken out of service. He was 10 years old
-- 70 in dog years. "He was a great asset to the community as well as to
this police department," Waynesboro Police Chief Mark King said. The
department is attempting to raise $11,750 to find a replacement and to
pay for the new dog's initial training. Cpl. John Shindledecker has
agreed to be the handler again, according to King. "The canine, and
especially Ex, has been a great tool with students and at community
events," King said. "Everybody loves the demonstrations." Ex was the
department's first utility police dog. He was great for helping to
locate drugs in vehicles and homes, King said. He helped with searches
in Washington Township and Adams County. "In building searches alone a
dog helps to reduce the risk we face when we go into a building and
start doing a search," King said. Waynesboro Veterinary Clinic has
offered again to donate veterinary services. According to the WPD Web
site, Ex was born in the Czech Republic in 1998 and was brought to the
United States in March 2000. The dog became a member of the WPD in May
2001 with his handler Shindledecker. "Ex is a patrol utility dog and is
trained in narcotics apprehension," the Web site states. "Ex has proven
to be a great asset to the community as well as the department." "He's
the first K-9 we've had," said Mayor Richard Starliper. "There were
times when he was very important to the department by tracking drugs and
holding people trying to get away. He was almost like another police
officer in a way." So far about $3,000 in donations have come in to
assist the department in acquiring a replacement, Starliper said: "It
shows that people care and they know that a dog is needed, especially to
help with the war on drugs."
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9 EXY & K9 KING
February 2008
 
Handlers: Deputy
Kevin Andress
Pinellas
County Sheriff's Office
Central District
Station
Sheriff’s
Administration Building
10750
Ulmerton Rd.
Largo,
FL 33778
727-582-6123
=-=-=-=-=-=-
North District
Station
737
Louden Ave.
Dunedin,
FL 34698
727-582-6942
contact:
Sgtcwagner@PCSOnet.com
Retired
K-9s Get Heroes Burial - 2/27/08 - Florida
Pinellas
County Sheriff Deputies and police dogs listen during the second annual
memorial service
for service animals at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Pet
Cemetery on Tuesday in Palm Harbor.
Heroes
Gardens embraced two new members Tuesday. K9s King and Exy, retired from
the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, were buried next to a dozen other
police dogs at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Pet Cemetery. Both dogs were
trained by and worked with Deputy Kevin Andress. King, a German shepherd,
was a brave and reliable partner for eight years, Andress said, choking
up as he spoke. After King retired, the dog was his pet for four more years.
"He was a great dog and a great protector," said Andress, 48. "He was very
confident and not afraid of anything. King was accomplished, but the case
I remember most was the rape suspect he tracked down after he escaped from
a house. King got to him, and he got 40 years for the crime."
Exy,
also a German shepherd, was the first dog trained by Andress, who has been
with the canine unit for 15 years. The two worked together for two years.
"I learned how to handle a dog with him," Andress said. "He was very confident."
Law enforcement dogs are trained to sniff out drugs, trail suspects and
follow the trails of missing people. Andress' new dog, Zeke, and three
others - Egon, Knight and Tonka - lay at attention during the ceremony,
which honored all 14 dogs buried there.
They
panted, whimpered and barked. Andress said he didn't think the dogs were
sensing the spirits of their fallen comrades as much as they were restless.
"These dogs aren't used to being still so long," he said. The ceremony
was cut short after about 15 minutes because of a late-afternoon rain shower.
It was attended by about 20 deputies, 30 teenage Police Explorers and others.
The Rev. Danny McDonald of North Bay Community Church in Clearwater officiated.
"Do
dogs go to heaven?" McDonald asked. "Yes! If any other minister disagrees,
tell them they are dead wrong. It is written in the Scriptures that everything
of joy to us will be with us in heaven." He noted that the greatest examples
of "sacrificial love" are dogs. "These are dogs that protected not only
their handler, but you and I," McDonald said. "They might not have been
carrying a gun, but they carried a badge." Indeed, the dogs are considered
officers. Andress, who now trains the entire county canine unit of 11,
says it takes about 17 weeks to train each dog.
ALSO
In Loving Memory
of K9s
Cuda, Dar, Rascal,
Rex, Robey, Samson, Aaron, Henke, Eich, Major, Xant and Happy
The
cremated remains of King and Exy were placed next to those of Cuda, Dar,
Rascal, Rex, Robey, Samson, Aaron, Henke, Eich, Major, Xant and Happy.
A small U.S. flag fluttered next to each marker. Curlew Hills president
and CEO Keenan Knopke donates burial spaces, services and markers to officers
out of respect to them and the service of their dogs. The cemetery has
more than half an acre dedicated to animal burials, and will be able to
accommodate about 1,500 animals in the area that opened in August 2006.
The police dogs buried have either died since then or have had their stored
ashes buried in Heroes Garden. "I'll come out here about once a month and
spend a few more minutes with these dogs," Andress said. "I worked with
or knew most of them, and I know they've touched people's lives."
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s