In Loving Memory of
K9 BUDDY
November 22, 2010
Handler: Jason Lovett
Columbia Tennessee Police Department
800 Westover Drive
Columbia, TN 38401-4843
(931) 388-2727
The ColumbiaTennessee Police Department sadly announces the passing of Police K-9 Buddy. Buddy passed away Saturday November 13, 2010. Buddy was a seven year old Golden Retriever and specialized in narcotic detection. Buddy will be dearly missed by the Police Department and especially by his handler Officer Jason Lovett.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BILLY–T
December 16, 2010
Handler: Special Deputy Joseph Moll
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
5526 Niagara Street Ext., P.O. Box 496
Lockport, New York 14095-0496
(716) 438-3393, Fax (716) 438-3302
WEBSITE - http://www.niagarasheriff.com/
Sheriff’s Office bloodhound dies at 5
After suffering a stomach illness, Billy-T, one of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Unit dogs died this week. Billy-T, was born March 8, 2005 in North Carolina before she was donated to the Sheriff’s Office in memory of canine expert William “Bill” Tolhurst. Special Deputy Joseph Moll, who acted as her handler and trainer obtained Billy-T at just 8 weeks old. According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, Billy-T had a natural talent for scent discriminating man-trailing.
Both Moll and his bloodhound received several awards in trailing, including an advance certificate from the National Police Bloodhound Association for their help in local, state and federal investigations.
“These efforts resulted in the arrest of individuals, locating of missing persons ... the recovery of property and evidence,” Sheriff James R. Voutour said. A report also said she helped during the investigation of cold case files and with the Greco murder case last year. Other accolades include being assigned to the FBI as a K-9 training team. Voutour said Moll trained and assisted the Sheriff’s Office strictly on volunteer work alone averaging about 63 hours of work a month. “This dedication was a reflection to the success the canine team had and the bond that was created at an early age between Joe and Billy-T,” Voutour said. “Billy-T will be sadly missed and fondly remembered,” Moll said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BATI
December 14, 2010
Handler: Sgt. Steve Parker
Kalama Police Department
Kalama loses K9 hero
Kalama's drug-sniffing canine Bati starts looking over her terrain as soon as Kalama Police Sgt. Steve Parker lets it out of his patrol car in this February 2010 photo.
The Kalama Police K9 "Bati" — a 4-year-old dog that more than earned his keep by helping police seize drug dealers' cars — had to be put down earlier this week after he failed to respond to cancer treatment. "Bati will be missed and was an important part of our department's fight against illegal drugs," Chief Bruce Hall wrote in a press release. "He was a very sweet dog and friendly to all the children and adults he met during his career, which was cut short by this terrible disease."
The cancer was discovered a week ago when the dog's handler, Sgt. Steve Parker, was grooming the German Shepherd and found several swellings on Bati's neck and belly. Vets tested the growths and diagnosed the dog with Epitheliotrophic Lymphoma. Since most dogs have a 60 to 70 percent partial or full remission with treatment, Hall said there hope that Bati could return to work after undergoing chemotherapy.
Chemo was started late last week, but Bati did not respond as hoped and his conditioned worsened over the weekend. His handler and the vet decided there was nothing more to be done after the dog began having trouble breathing. Kalama officers were given time to visit the dog and say goodbye, with Hall bringing the dog one last bone. Bati was euthanized Monday, with Parker and Parker's family by his side. (K9s live with their handlers' families and are treated like family pets when not on the job).
Bati was purchased in 2007 after an anonymous $5,000 donation was made to the police department. The price of purchase and initial training was $5,500 and the city contributed close to another $5,000 toward training, Hall said. Bati helped recoup those costs by searching out drugs and allowing the department to seize drug dealers' vehicles, something that Kalama had never done before. According to a February report in The Daily News, one of the cars also contained $4,000 in cash.
Bati and Parker were certified in 2008 as a narcotic detection team and often assisted officers in Kalama and Woodland, which does not have it's own drug dog. Bati also was called out to help in other jurisdictions. In the same article, Hall said Bati's financial contributions were more than enough to offset his training and vet bills. Bati's haul also helped pay for the police patrol car he rode in, Hall said. Hall said Thursday it's too soon for any discussions about if and how the department will replace Bati. Right now, officers are dealing with the loss. "He was like family," Hall said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BUDDY
November 13, 2010
Handler: Officer Jason Lovett
Columbia Police Department
Columbia, TN
The Columbia, TN. Police Department sadly announces the passing of Police K-9 Buddy. Buddy passed away Saturday November 13, 2010. Buddy was a seven year old Golden Retriever and specialized in narcotic detection. Buddy will be dearly missed by the Police Department and especially by his handler Officer Jason Lovett.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BODIE MWD
December 15, 2010
Handler: Sgt. Richard Rivera
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart
554th Military Police Company
War Dog Euthanized
In the military community, it's customary to honor fallen defenders of freedom. In U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, the 554th Military Police Company extended the tradition to a military working dog. Bodie, a MWD who began her military career on July 31, 2003, was euthanized Oct. 14. The 554th MP Co. K-9 Section held a memorial ceremony to honor the war veteran Nov. 24 in the Panzer Community Chapel. Over her career, the 10-year-old black and tan German shepherd completed five six-month combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
She was on her sixth deployment in Afghanistan when her tour was abruptly interrupted. After arriving on Oct. 1, Bodie's handler, Sgt. Richard Rivera, 554th MP Co. K-9 Section, noticed signs of fatigue in his dog. "Bodie's body began to swell around the abdomen, taking on the shape of a pear as each day passed," he said. After two weeks of observation and tests by a local veterinarian, the prognosis wasn't good: Bodie had the equivalent of gradual heart failure. Bodie was medically evacuated to the Dog Center Europe, at the U.S. Army Europe Regional Veterinary Command in Kaiserslautern.
As Rivera brought Bodie back to Germany, he prepared himself for the worst. "Did I want to believe it? No," Rivera said, recalling the day he received the news that it was time to end Bodie's suffering. But he said he didn't want to see her suffer a minute longer. Not every handler gets to say good-bye to their partner, but Rivera did. He recounted his farewell. Rivera said he took a final look into Bodie's dark brown eyes and she looked back. Rivera said he could see her pain, and he said goodbye.
There's a bond between a dog and its handler that only the handler can explain, said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rosenthal, the 554th MP Kennel Master who planned Bodie's memorial. Rosenthal said a working dog is assigned multiple handlers throughout its career. Bodie had five. (She partnered with Rivera for 17 months). However, each handler earns the unconditional loyalty from his or her dog until its last breath, he added. Bodie's partner was Sgt. Rivera, and the memorial gave him, along with friends, colleagues, and community leaders, a chance to grieve, said Rosenthal.
It's tradition at a military funeral to display a pair of combat boots, an inverted rifle, a helmet and dog tags. For Bodie's memorial, an open dog crate with her leash, collar and water bucket was placed on the chapel altar. During the memorial, USAG Stuttgart Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Ken Bellinger gave the invocation, and Rosenthal, the eulogy. Rivera then read "Guardians of the Night," a working dog's poem, which was followed by a video of Rivera and Bodie training and working together.
Perhaps the most poignant part of the memorial was when three bells rang, one after the other, symbolizing Bodie's call home. The first ring signified calling out to the dog to start her journey home; the second bell signified that Bodie was home for the last time; and the third bell signified that she had laid her head down to rest. As taps began, Rivera walked up to the crate and placed one of Bodie's play toys on top of the crate. He slowly closed the door and rendered a salute. Military working dog Bodie Tattoo E075 leaves behind a legacy - and paw print - as a trusted patrol and explosive detection expert for the USAG Stuttgart community and the Soldiers of the 554th MP Co.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir CPWDA
More:
In Loving Memory of
K9 BOSCO
December 13, 2010
Handler: Officer Dave Sanabria
Bellevue Police Department
450 110th Avenue Northeast
Bellevue, WA 98004-5514
(425) 452-6917
Bellevue Police dog Bosco, dies after heroic career -
The Bellevue Police Department has lost an unlikely hero.
With his partner, he worked the streets of Bellevue and assisted surrounding cities in more than 50 successful captures.This hero was none other than a German Shepard, beloved police K-9, Bosco, Badge #0018. He passed away after a successful career yesterday, Dec. 13 at 10 years old. Bosco's story is a true rags to riches tale.
In 2003, he was found tied to a fence by some neighbors. The family moved out of the area and left the dog there with a note asking that he be taken to the pound. The neighbors contacted a rescue organization and Bosco was saved. The rescuer wanted to use Bosco as a service dog but knew he had too much energy. She heard the Bellevue Police Department was looking for a police dog so she gave them a call. K-9 Officer Dave Ethredge arrived and within five minutes, he decided that this handsome German Shepherd was a good candidate for police work.
Bosco quickly thrived in the police world. He was assigned to his handler, Officer Dave Sanabria, and within the next few months they became a certified team. In 2004, Sanabria and Bosco became accredited with the Washington State Police Canine Association.
Among his captures are two notable cases:
In 2005, Bosco responded to an incident involving the sexual assault of a teenage girl in Bothell. The unknown suspect broke into the victim’s home through her bedroom window. After assaulting her, he fled through the window. Bosco tracked from the victim’s window and located the suspect who had fled back to his apartment. Without Bosco’s successful track, the suspect may very well have gone unidentified.
Bosco was sidelined in 2007 with back surgery. After six months of recovery, he returned to full duty. That same year he tracked a suspect who fled from a stolen car. The suspect ran from the scene, broke into a home, and began assaulting the lone female resident. Because of Bosco’s track, officers were able to locate the suspect and stop the assault before the victim was seriously injured.
Bosco retired in October 2009 and became the Sanabria's family pet, a part of his life he loved as much as police work. “He was a great dog and partner. I’ll miss him,” Lieutenant Dave Sanabria said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BLITZ
April 3, 2010
Handler: Deputy Wayne Peters
Fulton County Sheriff's Department
2712 State Highway 29, PO Box 29
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 736-2100
Sheriff’s Department loses beloved K-9
Fulton County Sheriff's Department personnel today remembered a longtime police dog as a trustworthy and family-oriented animal who worked hard on behalf of the county. K-9 Blitz, a 12-year old black German Shepherd, died early Sunday after suddenly taking ill at the home of his handler, of Broadalbin, the Sheriff's Department said in a news release. Blitz was acquired by Sheriff Thomas Lorey from the Czech Republic and was sworn into service with the department on Sept. 17, 2001. "He had accomplished quite a lot," Lorey said today.
Peters remembered the K-9 as extremely helpful during a "big-size" bust in Amsterdam in 2006 in which he sniffed out a kilo of cocaine. More recently, the deputy said, his canine partner helped track down a suspect in a Northville laundromat break-in. He was also a friendly dog with a good "temperament," Peters said. "He had a great disposition. He loved kids." The Sheriff's Department said the dog's death was felt with "profound sense of loss." The cause of death was a stomach condition known as "bloat" or "stomach-twist," according to the news release.
"K-9 Blitz was an excellent dog that showed incredible desire to perform his duties as a police K-9, and his presence and demeanor will be greatly missed by many who loved him," Lorey said. The sheriff's office K-9 was certified in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension and was set to retire this fall after nearly nine years of service to the Fulton County community. Lorey said K-9 Blitz was helpful to his department and other agencies in numerous cases involving drug detection and locating fleeing suspects, and he interacted frequently with young people in the community.
The sheriff said Peters wants to continue serving as a K-9 handler, and officials will begin searching for another K-9 in the coming weeks. Lorey said the $4,000 to $6,000 cost for K-9s and their upkeep are paid through by donations and are not part of the county budget. He said his department has another K-9, Mocha, stationed at the County Jail. Lorey said area residents may send expressions of sympathy to Peters and his family at the department, and memorial contributions are being accepted in care of the Fulton County Sheriff's Association K-9 Fund, P.O. Box 20 Johnstown, NY 12095.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BART
November 2, 2010
 
 
Handler: Sgt. Steven Redmond
Sheriff's Office Parish of Tangipahoa
15475 Club Deluxe Rd.
Hammond, LA
985.345.6150
Today we celebrate the life of TPSO K9 BART!
November 3, 2010 - TPSO K9 Bart passed away last evening in the presence of his loyal and faithful handler and friend, Sgt. Steven Redmond. Accompanied by his partners and friends, Sgt. Redmond was with Bart as he passed away due to an unshakeable illness.
Bart was a nine year old Belgian Malinois who had a passion for working in law enforcement. Bart has worked for the sheriff’s office since 2005 and has spent the past four years working side by side with Sgt. Redmond. Bart had an extraordinary personality and a strong passion for law enforcement. His hard work and dedication was demonstrated daily through his work as a dual purpose dog in patrol and narcotics. These expert skills led to numerous apprehensions and narcotics related arrests.
Sgt. Steven Redmond and Bart have received many awards and honors throughout their four years of working together. Bart's vibrant personality and love for his work was often displayed when he participated in demonstrations at many of our local schools.
“Bart will definitely be missed at the sheriff’s office. Bart, like my other service dogs, was one of the humble heroes willing to go places which were not safe even for my deputies. His presence will certainly be missed.” states Edwards. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
MORE:
TPSO K9 wins award.
HAMMOND – Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports that Sgt. Steven Redmond and his K9 companion Bart received the “Criminalistic Excellence Award". This award is given by the United States Canine Association to the Top Patrol Case of each quarter.
The duo received this award as a result of an apprehension involving a subject who fled from TPSO Narcotics Agents. The suspect ran into a wooded area then broke into a residence to elude his arrest. The residence was occupied by two elderly females. Sgt. Redmond secured the residence as K9 Bart located and apprehended the suspect. Congratulations Sgt. Redmond and K9 Bart!
In Loving Memory of
K9 BARNEY
November 11, 2010
Handler: Patrolman Fred Genzman
Northwood Police Department
6000 Wales Road
Northwood, OH 43619-1452
(419) 693-9794
Northwood’s K-9 Barney loses battle with cancer
Barney, Northwood’s former crime-fighting K-9 police dog who was cut last year from the budget, only to be reinstated a short time later with donations from a sympathetic public, died from complications of cancer on Nov. 11. Patrolman Fred Genzman, his ex-handler, was at his side. In August, the city had announced that Barney, 7 1/2 –years-old, was retiring as the city’s K-9 because he had cancer. Barney stayed at home with Genzman and his family to live out his remaining days in comfort.
Genzman was told by Barney’s vet that the cancer was very aggressive, though the dog had no symptoms at the time of its diagnosis. Genzman had taken Barney to the vet for a checkup because the German Shepherd and Czechoslovakian Shepherd mix had uncharacteristically started having training issues during his K-9 certification test. Barney had always passed the test, required every two years for certification, with flying colors. After his cancer diagnosis, Genzman said he noticed in November that Barney was tiring easily
and having trouble getting up.
“He really started wearing out. One week before we put him down, he just laid there. He didn’t move, had no interest in anything. He wouldn’t come. We thought maybe it was time. The real trick was when we took out his toy ball. He always went nuts for that ball. But he had no interest in it. The next day, he started walking again, was eating and drinking, and we thought he may just not have been feeling well the day before. Then one week later, he did it again. All he wanted to do was drink constantly, which was a sign something was going on.
He went outside and lay down in the same spot for six hours and wouldn’t come in.” Genzman decided it was time. “We called the vet, who said to bring him in. There weren’t any tests to do because they knew what was going on. It was a question of either putting him down, or trying to prolong his life a bit. They could give him a shot. But the vet said we would be putting a band-aid on cancer. I just didn’t want him to be in any pain,” said Genzman. “He puffed himself up and walked in there.
Then they put the I.V. on him, and he just lay down,” said Genzman.
Barney was purchased with a Homeland Security grant six years ago. He was trained in several disciplines, including obedience, tracking, article search, building search, area search, explosives and bite work. Barney was an effective crime fighting tool while working the beat with Genzman. He nabbed car thieves, vandals, intimidated juveniles looking for trouble, and secured local sites for presidential candidates campaigning in the area. Genzman also took Barney to schools where students learned about his crime-fighting skills, which was also a public relations success.
Last December, Genzman learned that Barney was on a list of budget cuts being made by the city due to the economic recession. After reading about Barney’s early retirement in The Press, several businesses and individuals rallied and donated funds that allowed the K-9 to remain on the force. In a letter to the editor that announced Barney’s passing in The Press, Genzman paid tribute to his former partner. “K-9 Barney served as the explosives detection canine for the northwest Ohio area. He served all levels of government from federal, state and local with pride and enthusiasm.
From deployments of catching the `bad guy’ to securing sites for the VIP’s to the area, public demonstrations, and meeting the local school kids, K-9 Barney truly loved his job,” stated Genzman. “K-9 Barney had a knack for making friends no matter where we went.” Genzman went on to thank those who were involved in his success as a K-9 unit. “There are many individuals, businesses and organizations I want to personally thank for helping fund the program due to city budget cuts. To Northwood City Council who voted to bring him back with private money, to the people who had sent cards after he was retired, I personally say `Thank you.’ Thank you for the memories, and the opportunity to serve with such a talented canine.”
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving
Memory
of
K9
BUDDY
November
2010
Handlers:
Police
Chief
Joseph
Bishop-Police
Lt.
Barney
Burns
Columbia
Police
Department
Columbia,
OH
Police say goodbye to K9
Dog receives 21-gun saluteThe Columbia Police Honor Guard presents arms at a memorial service for canine officer Buddy. The dog died in early November from a tumor in his chest.
Officers honored the life of a canine officer Wednesday, saying he exemplified the spirit and principles of the Columbia Police Department. The memorial service was held at Woodland Park for Buddy, a 7-year-old golden labrador retriever who died in early November. The dog had to be euthanized shortly after a veterinarian discovered a tumor in his chest. Columbia Police Lt. Barney Burns, who delivered the eulogy, said Buddy’s keen sense of smell and work ethic set him apart from others. “If you go to McDonald’s and buy a hamburger, all you smell is the hamburger. Buddy smelled the lettuce, pickles and the sesame seeds on the bun,” Burns said. “ ... I just think of how much better this department would be if we all had a work ethic like Buddy.” After the eulogy, officers performed a 21-gun salute while taps was played. Police Chief Joseph Bishop said Buddy was a selfless servant and his life and energy will be missed. “He meant a lot to this department,” Bishop said. Buddy was the only canine officer on the force. Bishop said the agency is in the process of training his replacement.
MORE:
Police say goodbye to K9Dog receives 21-gun salute
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BINGO MWD
date 2010
Handler: LanceCpl. Mason Neff
Marine Military
Afghanistan
SYLVA —
A dog trained to
detect
explosives is
credited with
saving the life
of a Jackson
County Marine in Afghanistan.
Lance
Cpl. Mason Neff
was recovering
Tuesday at a
hospital in
Germany after an
improvised
explosive device
in Helmand
Province sent
shrapnel into
his face, neck,
arm and left
eye, his
girlfriend,
Lacey Sterrett,
said. Neff was
on patrol with a
second Marine
dog handler when
his dog, Bingo,
started acting
strangely, she
said. Dog
handlers
normally work
alone, but the
area in
southwestern
Afghanistan is
so dangerous
that the Marines
in the area
decided to
double up the
dogs on the
patrol. Marine
handlers
typically stay
40-50 feet
behind their
dogs, which are
trained to range
ahead of patrols
and alert their
handlers to
hidden
explosives. Such
bombs have been
responsible for
scores of deaths
and injuries in
Afghanistan. Sterrett
said Neff's
fellow Marines
told her that he
started walking
toward Bingo
when he noticed
the strange
behavior and the
dog became even
more agitated,
seemingly trying
to get his
handler to stay
away. Bingo, a
black Labrador
retriever, likely set off
the bomb before
Neff could get
any closer, she
said. Bingo was
killed.
Neff, 21,
who joined the Marines in 2009
and was on his
first
deployment, was
conscious when
medics arrived. The two
had spent months
training
together. “It is an
incredible
bond,” Sterrett
said of the
relationship
between Marines
and their
sniffer dogs.
Neff is
in critical
condition and on
a ventilator
though he is
able to
understand words
and nod yes or
no, she said.
Neff
could be
transported to
Bethesda Naval
Hospital in
Maryland as soon
as Friday,
Sterrett said.
He is a
graduate of
Smoky Mountain
High School,
where he
wrestled.
He also
won a
championship in
mixed martial
arts.
Sterrett said it
was unclear
Tuesday whether
he knew that his
dog had been
killed.
“Mason is a
fighter,” she
said. “He is
broken right
now, but he will
make it through
this.”
submitted
by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory
of
K9 BLADE
November 16,
2010
 
Handler: Senior
Constable Matt
Fage
Wellington
Police Dog
Section
New Zealand
Salute to a
brave dog called
Blade
"A PROUD DOG'':
Blade and
handler
Constable Matt
Fage.
Blade – the
police dog who
beat cancer, a
pitchfork attack
and more than
1000 criminals –
has died in his
owner's arms.
Since 2007 Blade
has been
retired, living
as a family pet
with his
handler, Senior
Constable Matt
Fage from the
Wellington
police dog
section. Mr Fage
said 12-year-old
Blade died in
his arms early
on Tuesday
morning. The
death, from old
age, was
"devastating".
"He was a
super-loved
working partner.
He gave 100 per
cent at
everything and
just kept on
going." Blade
caught more than
1000 criminals,
found a dozen
missing people
and survived
being stabbed
with a pitchfork
and hit with a
machete in his
seven-year
career.
Mr Fage said
Blade almost
certainly saved
three lives. In
2003 he and
another officer
were cornered by
a man with a
pitchfork but
Blade took the
blow, surviving
because he got
hit in his
harness. He got
a bravery award.
A couple of
years later he
tracked down a
fleeing offender
in the Hutt
River. If the
man had not been
found he would
probably have
drowned, Mr Fage
said. He also
helped disarm a
man in Porirua
holding a knife
to a six-year-old's
throat, earning
a bravery award
for the second
time. Mr Fage
said Blade would
be remembered as
a
"proud dog".
Since retiring
in 2007, he had
been treated
successfully for
cancer. He got
along with Mr
Fage's new
police dog –
Xoset, or "X".
"Every day
[Blade] still
would go out by
the dog van –
every morning
wanting to go.
He made as good
a family pet as
a police dog."
Blade continued
to provide a
public service
after he
retired,
visiting
children at
Wellington
Hospital. "He
was just so
tolerant."
submitted by
Jim Cortina,
CPWDA Director
In Loving Memory of
K9 BARRA
(H272)
2010
Fort Myer, VA
Medical
complications.
More information to
come.
Submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BRIT
September
2010
Handler:
Deputy Michael
Brackrog
Genesee County
Sheriff’s Department
1002 South Saginaw
Street
Flint, MI 48502-1410
(810) 257-3426
WEBSITE -
http://www.co.genesee.mi.us/sheriff/index.html
After the 1999
Columbine Crisis and
several local bomb
threats at schools,
Sheriff Pickell saw
the need for
Holland. Brit
started his career
with the Genesee
County Sheriff
Department in
January of 2000 when
he was 20 months
old. Deputy Brackrog and Brit
trained together for
7 weeks at the
Landheim Training
Academy. Prior to
this joint training,
Brit spent an
additional 9 weeks
learning the
different odors he
would have to
detect. Brit
was
trained to detect
all types of
explosives;
Commercial,
Military, & Weapons.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir.
CPWDA
Brit was 12
years old,
and suffered
from a blood
disorder.
He
apparently
was running
a high
temperature
and had
been, most
simply,
lethargic.
He was taken
to the vet,
where the
veterinarian
explained it
would be
best to put
him down.
Although, he
was 12 years
old, it was
explained to
us that
since he was
a working
canine, we
could easily
double his
years. He
was like a
24 year old
dog. I am
sure you
know the
formula that
they use,
one human
year equals
seven canine
years.
Following
that
formula,
Brit would
have been
148 years
old. Again,
thank you
for your
interest.
We really miss him around here.
ROBERT J.
PICKELL
SHERIFF
rpickell@co.genesee.mi.us
In Loving Memory of
K9 BENNY
October 26, 2010
Handler: Officer Steve
Smith
Oregon Army National
Guard
Retired Salem
police dog, Benny,
dies at 15
A Salem police dog
who retired in 2005
has been euthanized
because of health
issues, officials
said today.
Benny, a
15-year-old German
shepherd, had been
living with his
handler Officer
Steve Smith. Benny
retired early when
Smith deployed to
Iraq with the Oregon
Army National Guard,
according to
Statesman Journal
archives.
Benny came from the
Czech Republic and
worked with Smith
for seven years,
Salem police said.
In his career, the
dog conducted more
than 1,200 searches
and captured 526
suspects, police
said.
He was the first dog
assigned to the
Salem police SWAT
team and served on
55 missions with the
special unit.
“Over the last
several years,
Benny's health had
been declining but
he never lost his
spirit or the
affection of officer
Smith and his
family,” Salem
Police Lt. Dave
Okada said. “When
officer Smith was
assigned his new
canine Jett, Benny
made it very clear
who was in charge at
the Smith
residence.”
submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir.
CPWDA and Frank
Brunetti, Dir.
website
In Loving Memory of
K9 BRUNO
October 8, 2010
Handler: Officer Glenn
Erick
Riverhead Police
Department
210 Howell
Avenue
Riverhead, N.Y. 11901
Ph: 631-727-4500
Riverhead Police
forced to part with
beloved K-9 cop
Bruno
The career of one
of Riverhead's
finest came to a
tragic end earlier
this month when he
died the same day a
lemon-sized tumor
was found in his
stomach. He was 10
years old. Bruno,
one of the
department's two
police dogs, was
euthanized at East
End Veterinary
Emergency and
Specialty Center in
Riverhead on Oct. 8
after serving eight
years on the force.
Officer Glenn Erick,
Bruno's trainer and
master, remembered
the German shepherd
as a loyal, diligent
officer who worked
until the day he
died.
"He really liked
going to work," he
said. "He didn't sit
in the back of the
car for a moment's
time." Officer Erick
recalled one
incident several
years ago where
Bruno closed a case
that would have most
likely remained
unsolved had it not
been for the dog's
superior sense of
smell. Bruno picked
up the scent of a
suspect after a
theft at a car lot
on Route 58 in
Riverhead. He led
officers to the man
and, as soon as he
was apprehended, ran
after a second thief
police did not even
know existed.
"He pulled him to
the ground," Officer
Erick recalled. "He
apprehended two in
one clip." When the
Hungary-born Bruno
came to the
department in 2002,
Officer Erick said
he had the perfect
build, temperament
and demeanor for a
police dog. "He was
full of himself," he
recalled. Bruno
loved to work and
would get excited
when he heard his
master getting ready
for a tour. But
Officer Erick had
noticed him slowing
down over the last
few years.
This summer, Bruno
started losing
weight and was taken
for some blood work,
though the results
were inconclusive.
He was scheduled for
a second round of
blood tests when
Officer Erick
approached the dog's
pen one morning and
found him lying on
the ground, writhing
in pain. He
suspected the dog
was suffering from
contortion, a
serious condition
where the dog's
stomach becomes
twisted and unable
to pass anything in
or out. His
suspicion turned out
to be accurate.
The dog was taken to
the vet and it soon
became apparent that
without immediate
surgery to correct
his contorted
stomach and remove a
tumor, Bruno would
die. The police
department decided
to put Bruno down
rather than subject
him to the surgery.
"We felt it was the
best choice,"
Officer Erick said.
It is uncertain if
the department will
purchase another dog
to replace Bruno.
Lieutenant Richard
Boden, who oversees
the K-9 Unit, said a
new dog could cost
about $6,500.
In addition, it
costs the department
between $2,000 and
$3,000 a year in
food and vet costs
for the dogs. "It's
a big commitment on
the department's
end," he said. The
department has one
other dog, Vaki, who
lives with Officer
John Doscinski. Vaki
was purchased using
money seized during
Suffolk County
district attorney
raids. PBA president
Detective Dixon
Palmer said he hopes
the district
attorney's office
could provide
money
for another dog.
That dog would
most likely live
with Officer Erick,
who worked with
another dog from
1995 to 2002, Det.
Palmer said. Officer
Erick said that
although keeping a
police dog is
rewarding, it's also
a very demanding
commitment. The
training process is
long, with the
initial course
taking 16 to 20
weeks, he said, and
there are training
quotas the dogs must
meet every quarter
in order to stay on
the force. On top of
that, Officer Erick
said he rarely ever
let the dog out of
his sight, even to
play in the
backyard. Still, he
said taking care of
Bruno over the years
meant more to him
than caring for an
average household
pet. "It's a lot
more of a bond," he
said. "There's
something different
about when you're
working the dog out
on the street."
submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir.
CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BENTHO
August 23, 2010
Handler: Officer Rob Semillo
San Joaquin County Sheriff's
Department
1810 E. Hazelton Ave.
Stockton, CA
95205-6232
Ph: (209) 468.4310
WEBSITE -
http://www.sjgov.org/sheriff/
Bentho, a Dutch Shepherd, is seven years old and has cancer. Semillo said Bentho is the last dog alive of a trio of K-9 teams called the “Big Three.” The others were Deputy Ryan Biedermann and his dog, Niko, who was accidentally shot by a U.S. Marshal, and Deputy Randy Johnson and his dog, Badjo, who died after a bout with aggressive cancer. Semillo said Bentho has maybe a month to live, but he doesn’t plan to retire him until “the day he can no longer jump in the police car.”
From San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Semillo, comes this photograph of Bentho, his K-9 partner: Bentho, a Dutch Shepherd, is seven years old and has cancer. Semillo said Bentho is the last dog alive of a trio of K-9 teams called the “Big Three.” The others were Deputy Ryan Biedermann and his dog, Niko.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA & Frank Brunetti
In Loving Memory of
K9 BONZAI
August 19, 2010
 
Handler: Sgt. Russell
Griggs
Police Chief:
John Walter
Mountain Home Police
Department
Patrol Division
2775 East 8th North
Mountain Home, ID 83647-2332
(208) 587-2101
Painting by Tracy Klett
email:
gtklett@rtci.net
On August 19th 2010 at
the age of 13 Bonzai was
laid to rest surrounded
by the family he loved
and protected.
Bonzai a dual purpose K9
was assigned to the
Mountain Home Police
Department Patrol
Division
December 20th 1999.
During Bonzai’s time on
the road he completed
every shift and never
called in sick.
Bonzai came in contact
during his time with
both people that didn’t
want to have a thing to
do with
a police canine and of
course the people that
wanted to pet him and
get their pictures with
him.
Bonzai did everything he
was capable of doing and
asked to do which
included tracking
Burglars,
seizing drugs and money
and other patrol duties.
Bonzai retired October
20th 2007 and during his
retirement enjoyed
camping, attending off
duty employment and
spending time with the
family he lived with.
Bonzai will be dearly
missed by the people
closest to him and the
children
that day after day still
ask about him.
Take care Buddy.
submitted by Frank
Brunetti & artist-Tracy
& Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
& Nick Schilz - nschilz@elmorecounty.org
In Loving Memory of
K9 BRONCO
August 15, 2010
Handler: Officer Justin Dunn
Bossier City Police
Department
620 Benton Rd.
Bossier City, LA 71111
318.741.8605
WEBSITE -
http://bossiercity.org/Police/
Bossier City Police KP
to be laid to rest
Officer Justin Dunn
walks side by side with
Police K9 Bronco, who
passed away Sunday.
Bossier City Police
Department K-9 Bronco
will be laid to rest on
Thurs day at 11 A.M. at
the Shreveport Police
Department Academy.
Bronco a 5-year old
Belgian Tervuren, died
Sunday of natural
causes. The dog had been
a member of the Bossier
City Police Department
for the past two and a
half years. Bronco will
be buried on the grounds
of its academy where
other police K-9s have
been laid to rest and
where Bronco trained
every week with his
handler and partner
Officer Justin Dunn
along with the BCPD’s
five other K-9 officers.
A police department
release said Bronco was
"a loyal member of the
Bossier City Police
Department" and would be
missed by his fellow
officers.
submitted by
Jim Cortina,Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BANDIT
June 13, 2003 - August 14,
2010
Handler:
Sgt. Cawthon
Amherst Police Department
911
North Lake St.
Amherst, Ohio
Ph: 440.988.2625
Websit: http://amherstpolice.net/
Amherst police
mourn the loss of K-9
officer Bandit
Amherst police have
lost one of their
own. Bandit, a K-9
officer for Amherst
police, died
unexpectedly early
Saturday morning.
The cause of his
death is unknown at
this time, but
according to police,
Bandit had recently
undergone surgery.
He was not working
at the time of his
death. “Bandit was a
great asset to the
department and he
will be greatly
missed by the
department staff as
well as Sgt. Cawthon
and his family,”
said Lt. Joseph
Kucirek.
Bandit joined the
Amherst Police
Department in March
of 2005 and was
trained to detect
the presence of the
odor of such
narcotics as
Marijuana, Coke,
Heroin and Meth.
Bandit was a
certified Narcotic
Detector Canine by
the Ohio Peace
Officer Training
Commission. Bandit
was also certified
in tracking and
article search. In
honor Bandit, the
American flag has
been lowered to half
staff at the Amherst
Police Department.
Amherst police
expect a memorial
service will be
planned for Bandit
in the near future.
+++++++++++++
AMHERST — Bandit
will be laid to rest
with honors next
week.
The 7-year-old
German shepherd
police dog from the
Amherst Police
Department who died
earlier this month
will be remembered
during a memorial
service at
6 p.m. Monday at
the Amherst Eagles
1161 Milan Ave.
The service will be
preceded by a short
procession of K-9
units from other
police departments
from the Amherst
Police Department on
North Lake Street.
“We put out a letter
to Northeast Ohio
police departments
to let them know
about the service,”
Amherst police Lt.
Joseph Kucirek said.
“It’s not uncommon
for area K-9 units
to send
representatives and
their dogs. We have
no idea what to
expect. We have no
idea if we’re
talking five dogs or
25 or somewhere in
between.”
The memorial service
is being organized
by sheriff’s Deputy
Bob Perkins, who
lost his longtime
police dog Drago in
April.
Amherst police Sgt.
Mark Cawthon was the
animal’s handler
since 2005, when the
dog joined the
force. The dog
recently had had
surgery to have his
spleen removed and
was not working at
the time of his
death, which
reportedly was
caused by a sudden
contortion of the
stomach, a condition
that can occur in
some breeds of dogs.
During his time with
the department as
its only dog, Bandit
helped police
confiscate 20-plus
kilos of cocaine,
50-plus pounds of
marijuana and
thousands of dollars
in cash and
drug-related
property during
numerous drug
arrests. The dog was
certified as a
narcotic detector
canine by the Ohio
Peace Officer
Training Commission.
*******************
Memorial
service held
for Amherst
K-9 8/31/10
Ohio
Bandit
Amherst
Police Sgt.
Mark E.
Cawthon,
right, and
his family,
wife Karen,
son Mason, 4
and daughter
Michelle, 9,
left, during
the memorial
service for
Amherst
Police Dog
"Bandit" at
the Eagles
on Milan
Road
yesterday in
Amherst.
Area police
agencies and
the Amherst
Police
processional
starts the
memorial
service for
Amherst
Police Dog
"Bandit,"
from the
Amherst
Police
station on
Lake Road to
the Eagles
on Milan
Road
yesterday in
Amherst.
***********
Police
officers and
citizens
came
together
Monday night
to pay
tribute to
Amherst
police K-9
Bandit, who
passed away
Aug. 14. The
memorial
service
included
about a
half-dozen
police dogs
from area
departments,
who gave
what one
attendee
called “a
21-bark
salute” to
Bandit as
his ashes
were carried
into the
Fraternal
Order of
Eagles Hall.
Representatives
from
Amherst,
Richfield,
Elyria,
Cleveland,
Westlake,
Vermilion
and Oberlin
police
departments,
Cleveland
and Grafton
fire
departments
and the
Lorain
County
Sheriff’s
office were
on hand.
Amherst
police Sgt.
Mark Cawthon
spoke
proudly of
Bandit, who
died at the
age of 7
following
surgery to
remove his
spleen.
Bandit’s
stomach had
contorted,
which
fatally cut
off blood
flow to
other
organs. In
his
too-short
life, Bandit
made a
difference,
Cawthon
said.
“Thanks to
Bandit,
we’ve been
able to make
a small dent
in a huge
drug
problem,” he
said. Since
Bandit, a
certified
narcotic
detector
canine by
the Ohio
Peace
Officer
Training
Commission,
joined the
department
in March
2005, he was
responsible
for a lot of
drugs being
taken off
the street.
Bandit was
trained to
detect
marijuana,
cocaine,
heroin,
methamphetamine
and any
associated
derivatives.
In the
many drug
arrests
Bandit
assisted in,
more than 20
kilograms of
cocaine and
50 pounds of
marijuana
were seized.
Thanks in
part to his
efforts,
police
seized
thousands of
dollars in
drug-related
cash and
properties.
“He made me
look good,”
Cawthon
said. Bandit
was the kind
of dog many
people would
shy away
from having
because he
was “go, go,
go,” all the
time,
Cawthon
said. “But
that’s what
made him a
good police
dog,” he
said. “He
would begin
sniffing
even before
the command
was given.”
One time,
Bandit was
on break at
the station
and sniffed
out drugs in
an impounded
vehicle.
Bandit also
went to
schools and
was a part
of
demonstrations
and
searches.
Cawthon told
of Bandit’s
final day.
Cawthon left
to begin his
shift
shortly
before 10
p.m. on Aug.
13. Even
though he
had stitches
in his
abdomen and
a cone on
his head,
Bandit got
up as soon
as he heard
Cawthon
strapping on
his vest and
holster and
made to
follow him
out.
Cawthon’s
wife, Karen,
asked him
twice in the
night to
come home
and check
Bandit.
Bandit
appeared all
right, just
spacey from
the pain
medication,
Cawthon
said. But
around 5:15
a.m., a
third call
from his
wife had him
worried. She
told him
Bandit was
having
difficulty
breathing,
and Cawthon
could hear
Bandit
struggling
for breath.
“I thought,
‘My God,
that’s not
good,’ ”
Cawthon
said. He
rushed home.
Bandit
summoned the
strength to
get into the
cruiser.
Bandit
walked into
the Lorain
County
Animal
Emergency
Center,
where
veterinarian
Craig
Talbott and
his staff
worked to
save him.
But Cawthon
said that,
despite
their
valiant
efforts, he
could feel
Bandit
slipping
away. He was
heartbroken
as he
realized the
CPR would
not save
Bandit.
After
calling his
wife to
break the
news, Sgt.
Cawthon went
in to say
goodbye to
Bandit,
giving him
one final
kiss. “I was
very
emotional
(after
that),” he
said. “Karen
had to call
the
department
and break
the news.”
That day,
he stayed at
home. His
daughter,
Michelle,
decided not
to go over
to her
grandparents
for an
outing,
staying home
to comfort
her dad.
“That meant
a lot,” he
said. Lorain
County
Sheriff’s
Office
Deputy Bob
Perkins, who
lost his
retired K-9,
Drago, in
April, read
the poem
“Guardians
of the
Night” at
the service.
Several in
attendance
were wiping
their eyes
when he
reached the
line, “And
when our
time
together is
done and you
move on in
the world,
remember me
with kind
thoughts and
tales.
For a
time, we
were
unbeatable.
Nothing
passed among
us
undetected.”
Perkins’
girlfriend,
Melody
Futrall,
made two
collages
featuring
photos of
Bandit at
work and at
home with
Cawthon and
his family.
Talbott and
staff from
both the
Lorain
County
Animal
Emergency
Center and
Amherst
Animal
Hospital,
Bandit’s
regular vet,
were on
hand. “This
was
excellent,”
Talbott said
of the
service. “It
tugged at my
heart more
than some
funerals.”
The support
of both law
enforcement
and the
public has
been a great
help, Sgt.
Cawthon
said.
“It’s
been
amazing,” he
said.
“Bandit
touched a
lot of
lives. He
was way more
than ‘just a
dog.’” On
Monday,
Cawthon
began
working with
another dog
through TWR
Canine
Training.
Chief Lonnie
Dillon said
this is the
first of
hopefully
two K-9s to
join force
this year.
“It was
bittersweet,”
he said.
“But we’ll
make the
adjustment.”
submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir.
CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BARCO
February 2010
Handler: Tom Benjamin
Yellowstone County Sheriff's
Office
In Loving Memory of
K9 BORIS
July 15, 2010
Handler: Sgt. Brian Herncane
Easton Police Department
25 South 3rd Street,
PH: (610) 250-6665
Easton, PA
Easton police officers
mourning loss of service
dogs Oszi, Boris
Two Easton police
officers are mourning
the loss of their
partners -- police dogs
Oszi and Boris.
Detective Chris Miller
said Oszi, a 13-year-old
German shepherd, was put
down July 15. Sgt. Brian
Herncane said Boris, a
12-year-old German
shepherd, was put down
Friday. Oszi and Boris
spent a combined 15
years as police service
dogs in Easton before
retiring in 2007. They
lived with their
handlers, Miller and
Herncane. "I still come
home, I walk in and I
look for him and wait
for him to come over ...
it takes a second or
two," Miller said of
Oszi. "The strangest
thing is when I get up
to go to bed, I just get
up and go upstairs. I
don’t have to take a dog
out." Miller said Oszi
sniffed out hundreds of
thousands of dollars
worth of drugs during
his career, including 3
pounds of
methamphetamine and 5
pounds of marijuana in a
Bushkill Township home
linked to an Easton
police investigation.
Herncane said Boris once
helped him disarm a
suspect and described it
as one of "his proudest
moments."
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BRUTUS
June 10, 2010
Handler: Deputy Randy
Harrison
Columbia County Sheriff's
Department
Sheriff Mark Hunter
4917 E. US Hwy. 90
Lake City, FL 32055
ph: 386.752.9212
In Loving Memory of
K9 BRANDY
April 29, 2010
Handler:
Deputy Ryan Brown
Allegan
County Sheriff's Department
112 Walnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0500
WEBSITE -
http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/SD/Index.asp?pt=Government
Police dog 'Brandy' dies
after eight years serving
Allegan County
Deputy Ryan Brown posed with
Brandy in June 2004.
A longtime Allegan
County police dog that
helped officers in both drug
searches and tracking has
died, possibly from cancer.
Allegan County sheriff's
deputies reported the death
of Brandy today. The dog,
the partner of Deputy Ryan
Brown since 2004, was an
eight-year-old Belgian
Malinois. Brandy died April
29 after recent health
problems believed caused by
cancer, deputies said.
Brandy made the news in 2004
after the dog helped locate
a 73-year-old woman who
became lost in Wayland-area
woods for two days. The same
year, police also lost
Brandy briefly after
exploding fireworks caused
the dog to scale a
chain-link fence at Brown's
home and run away.
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BUDDY
March 2010
Handler: Officer Mark Schneider
Brookport Police Department
209 Ohio Street
Brookport, IL 62910-2813
(618) 564-2351
Buddy, the Brookport police dog,
is gone and sorely missed by the
town’s small police department
and other agencies that
benefited from his keen-nosed
service. It’s more like mourning
in the home of K-9 Officer Mark
Schneider, where German shepherd
Buddy was the family dog as well
as a four-footed fellow
cop. "There will always be a
place in our hearts for him,”
Schneider said. “He was part of
my family as well as my partner
for almost nine years.”
Buddy, suffering debilitating
arthritis, was retired from
service in December. He later
fell on stairs in the Schneider
home, and with a leg irreparably
shattered in six places, a
decision was made to put the
veteran down. Schneider said
Buddy was a dog for multiple
roles on the Brookport force.
Trained for and certified by the
National Narcotic Detector Dog
Association and the American
Working Dog Association, Buddy
sniffed out drugs, tracked for
search and rescue or criminal
pursuit, helped in apprehension
and, more happily, boosted
public relations.
“He went around to all the
schools for programs like career
day,” Police Chief Ronnie
Traversy said. “All the kids
were drawn to the dog — that’s
where they all lined up." But it
was his multiple canine skills
that earned Buddy’s keep."
A dog
is one of the most useful tools
a department can have,” Traversy
said.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BRUTUS
March 8, 2010
Handler: Lt. Tom McCaffrey
Geauga County Sheriff's Department
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024
(440) 564-7131, (440) 834-1858,
Extension 2009 * Fax: (440)
286-3251
Brutus, Geauga County police dog
featured in Regina Brett's
column, dies
Retired
Geauga County Sheriff's Lt. Tom
McCaffrey, pictured at home in
Montville Township in late
January with Brutus,
says the police dog was
fearless. Brutus died Monday.
They
say all dogs go to heaven. If
that's true, Brutus is guarding
the Pearly Gates. A retired
police dog for the Geauga County
Sheriff's Department, Brutus
passed away Monday morning. He
woke his owner, Lt. Tom
McCaffrey, one last time at 2:30
a.m. The dog ran outside, came
back and collapsed in the living
room. Brutus knew he was dying.
Tom could tell by the look in
the German shepherd's eyes that
he was scared. Brutus died with
his head in McCaffrey's lap.
Brutus, who was featured in a
Plain Dealer column on Jan. 31,
was 10. Retired from the K-9
cops two years ago, he was a
fearless 125 pounds of solid
muscle, according to McCaffrey.
After the September 11, 2001
attacks, Brutus sniffed for
remains in the rubble of the
World Trade Center towers. He
spent his last days riding in
the back of McCaffrey's red
pickup where everyone in
Montville Township -- all 2,300
of them - knew Brutus.
"I lost
an excellent companion,"
McCaffrey said.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 BERRY
January 18,1995 - February 16,2010
Handler: Det.Sgt.Tom Calvello -
CPWDA Past President
Bristol Police Department
131 North Main Street
Bristol CT 06010
(860) 584-3011
Detective Sgt. Tom Calvello lost his
retired K9 partner February 15.
K9 "Berry"
began working during the summer of 1997
and served for just over 5 years before
being retired in December 2002. Berry died
at the age of 15. Officer Tom Calvello
was a member from 1997 - 2003 and was
our CPWDA President from 2002-2003.
Service for K9 Berry? please let us
know.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA -
loulou5858@comcast.net (webmistress)
In Loving Memory of
K9 BOJAR
2010
Handler:
Emory Griffith
emory.griffith@gmail.com
<emory.griffith@gmail.com>
Badge 37
Gwinnett County Fire Investigations
408 Hurricane Shoals Rd. NE
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
PH: Office 678 518.4896
K-9 Bojar (pronounced Bo-yar) was a
male German Shepherd who was imported
from the Czech Republic. We started our
career together with the City of
Lawrenceville in the year 2000. Bojar
‘had my back’ on a full-time basis from
2000 – 2005. After his retirement, I
brought him out on K-9 training days to
keep him active and he occasionally ran
police calls when needed. His last call
as a police dog took place in 2007. The
vet had estimated his age to be
somewhere between 13 and 14 years old.
Bojar had an incredible career on the
streets and helped catch criminals
wanted for just about every imaginable
crime including murders, home invasions,
armed robberies, carjackings,
kidnappings, drive-by-shootings, bank
robberies, and many other violent
crimes. It seemed the more serious the
crime, the better my four-legged partner
performed.
Most of the public knew little of K-9
Bojar. Once he had caught the bad guy,
Bojar was back in the police car and
ready to go to the next call. Many
victims of crimes never knew it was my
little partner who helped bring their
suspect to justice.
For example:
.
and the manager of the fast food chain
in Snellville, who had a gun held to his
head while being robbed, probably never
knew it was Bojar who helped locate that
armed robber;
.
the apartment renter in Norcross
probably never knew it was Bojar who
helped catch the suspects that sent him
to the hospital with stab wounds;
.
the
home invasion victims in Lawrenceville
probably never knew it was Bojar who
helped capture the suspect who had
broken into their home and held them at
gunpoint; and
.
the
family of the murder victim in New York
probably never knew it was Bojar who
helped catch the suspect who took their
daughter’s life.
I’m certain that all these people, along
with a hundred other victims, were
thankful that the police had caught the
suspects, but few probably knew it was
K-9 Bojar and his incredible nose who
was ultimately responsible.
After
Bojar’s retirement, he became a
full-time friend and protector to my
wife, kids and me. For 10 years, he
went on vacation with us, enjoyed
celebrating birthdays and holidays, and
spent most of his time in the house as
we enjoyed his company.
At night I would go to work with hugs
and kisses from the family and the
reassurance that Bojar was watching over
them while I was away. Even after I
left police
work in 2008 and went back to the fire
department, Bojar would carefully watch
in anticipation of being able to go to
work with me. He was always the first
to greet me when I returned home.
About two month ago, I noticed Bojar’s
health in decline. Medicine from the
vet brought little relief to my aging
partner. The last few days had me
carrying him up and down the stairs to
his blanket in my bedroom; the same
stairs where I had once watched him
bound past me in three giant leaps so he
could get to the top first. Then came
Saturday morning; Bojar’s breathing was
labored, he looked tired, and didn’t
want to move. For the first time since
we had been together, he closed his eyes
and laid his head down while I was
petting on his head. In the past, every
time I rubbed on that old dog’s head, he
would lay there with his head up and
watch me. When I first got him, I
thought maybe he didn’t like it, and
even thought that maybe he didn’t like
me! But then I noticed he would walk up
to me and start grinding his head into
my hands wanting to be petted. Bojar
liked it; he just had a strange way of
showing it.
After lying there beside him that
morning, I knew there was something
seriously wrong with my little
partner. I woke up my wife and kids so
they could give Bojar final hugs and
goodbyes in case he wouldn’t be coming
home from the vet’s office. With tears
in their eyes, they waved goodbye as we
drove away from the house.
It was a peaceful ride to Gwinnett
Animal Clinic. It brought back memories
of having Bojar riding in the back of
the police car as we patrolled the
streets at night. What great times I
had riding around with him looking for
criminals. At the vet’s office, Bojar
would not let me carry him inside;
instead he insisted on walking the final
few steps on his own.
With my fingers crossed, I watched as
Dr. Wallis examined Bojar. I still had
that little bit of hope that once again
the vet could find some magic cure so I
could hold on to my old partner just a
little longer. I knew it wasn’t good
when halfway through the examination Dr.
Wallis stopped looking at me when he
spoke. After he stepped out to do the
blood work, I spent the time talking to
Bojar and reminding of how thankful I
was to have worked with him and have him
as a part of my life, and I told him
stories of some of the calls we had been
on together back when he was in the
prime of his life. Dr. Wallis came in
with the news that I had been trying to
prepare myself for during the past
couple of months. Even though I wasn’t
surprised, it was none the easier
hearing the fate of my partner.
I was able to be with Bojar as he was
given the medicine that would bring an
end to his suffering. I rubbed on his
ears, held him close, made sure he knew
that I loved him, and reminded him to
say hey to K-9 Cisco and the other
four-legged police officers that he
would soon join company with. There was
a sense of relief knowing my partner
would be among his friends.
Thanks to Chief Johnson for giving me
the opportunity to work with Bojar and
to the Lawrenceville Police Department
and all the other officers and K-9
handlers who took the time to sit on a
perimeter, run as our back-up, put on
the sleeve, lay those countless practice
tracks, and let Bojar hear the
ratcheting of handcuffs as they locked
down on many a suspect’s wrist. A
special thanks to Officers Dave Russell
and John Surowiec - your friendship and
desire to train with us made Bojar and
me a better K-9 team.
And thank you K-9 Bojar for all that you
have done; bringing me home safely every
night, bringing criminals to justice,
watching over my family, and being a
wonderful friend to us all over the past
10 years. Until we meet again dear
friend, may you always run fast, bite
hard, and fear nothing!
Your grateful partner,
Emory Griffith
*******************************
MORE
To Gwinnett County, K-9 Bojar was a
faithful servant. To his family, he was
a faithful friend. On Thursday, the
German Shepherd — four years removed
from active police work — was laid to
rest amidst 36 other four-legged civil
servants and hundreds of beloved pets at
the Oak Rest Pet Gardens and Crematory.
Bojar (pronounced Bo-yar) served
alongside his Lawrenceville police
partner, Emory Griffith, for five years
before his retirement in 2005. Griffith
was forced to have Bojar put down
Saturday after the K-9’s health rapidly
began to decline about two months ago.
Despite his prayers, Griffith, now a
fire investigator, knew Saturday morning
that his old sidekick likely had bounded
up the home’s stairs for the last time.
His breathing was labored and he didn’t
want to move. “For the first time since
we had been together, he closed his eyes
and laid his head down while I was
petting on his head,” Griffith said.
Recalling Bojar’s career as a K-9
officer, Griffith remembered the Buford
woman who had been carjacked and
terrorized with a knife; the Snellville
restaurant manager who had a gun held to
his head during a robbery; the New York
family whose daughter was murdered — all
crime victims whose attackers were
nabbed and brought to justice thanks in
large part to the nose of a highly
trained police dog. Bojar was
enthusiastic about his work, Griffith
said, always ready to catch the bad guy
and move on to the next call. After his
retirement, Bojar led the good life. He
spent his last 10 years watching over
the family, celebrating holidays and
taking vacations. His funeral was worthy
of any hero, and included the
Lawrenceville Police Department honor
guard folding and presenting the
American flag and the presentation of
“Taps,” saluting his
service. Though his
shift may be over, Bojar created
memories that will last a lifetime. He
served a community and became part of a
family. Griffith, confident that his
partner is now in the company of K-9
officers who passed before him, left
Bojar with well-wishes until they meet
again: “Run fast, bite hard and fear
nothing!”
(submitted by Emory Griffith
who lost his
first partner, K9 Cisco, 2005)
In Loving Memory of
K9 BOSCO
January 13, 2010
Handler:
Deputy Justin Patterson
Office of the Sheriff
County of
Monterey
1414 Natidad Road
Salinas, CA 93906
831-755-3700
Visit Department's Homepage
K-9 police dog euthanized after it
escapes, kills another dog
By Cathy Kelly Santa Cruz
Sentinel
A K-9 police dog named Bosco was
euthanized Wednesday after he ran
away from his owner in Aromas and
attacked two dogs, killing one of
them, the Monterey County Sheriff's
Office reported. Further details
were not immediately released, but
Bosco ran away about 3 a.m., after
being let out for a "break," Capt.
Chuck Monarque stated in a news
release.
Bosco ran and did not respond to
commands to return, and a search was
conducted by several deputies who
were later joined by a helicopter,
Monarque said. Residents were also
notified to be on the lookout, and
about 9 a.m., a person in the 200
block of Carneros Road called police
to state they believe Bosco had
killed their dog and attacked
another dog, he said. The landowner
had placed Bosco in a kennel, and
deputies picked him up, Monarque
said. In the early afternoon,
Bosco was taken to the Monterey
County Animal Control shelter and
euthanized, he said. The decision
was a difficult one, Monarque
stated, but had to be made in light
of a
prior incident. That incident was
not specified.
Richards said the dog was 3 to 5
years old, originally from the
Netherlands and trained to respond
to commands in Dutch.
article & photo submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
MORE
K-9 Unit
The Canine Unit is a general use
resource of personnel and dogs that
may respond anywhere within the
County to situations requiring a
trained police dog and handler. They
offer a very specialized function
which includes locating, controlling
and apprehending suspects, crowd
control, locating missing persons,
and narcotics detection. There are
currently three general service dogs
in the unit. K-9 support is
available countywide on a 24/7
basis. The dogs are owned by the
County and trained with their
handlers. The handlers and their
dogs must obtain semi-annual
certification.
In Loving Memory of
K9 BOSS
January 9, 2010
Handler: Officer
Tony Machelli
Taylor Police Department
122 Union Street
Taylor, PA 18517
(570)562-2210
Taylor's first police
dog dies, community mourns
Nine years ago, the borough's police
dog, Boss, indicated to Officer Tony Machelli he found drugs in a trash
can. An initial search of the trash
can failed to find drugs, recalled
Officer Machelli, of Blakely. But
the officer's subsequent search did.
"Since that day in 2000, I never
doubted him," Officer Machelli said.
"Boss was everything to me." Boss,
who died at age 11, meant something
to many in the community. As Officer
Machelli mourns the loss of Boss
earlier this month, he and borough
officials also will remember the
German Shepherd as a friend and
trusted partner.
"He's not just a
dog, he's a police officer," Mayor
Richard Bowen said. "He will be
missed by all." Taylor police
officers are wearing mourning badges
this month, and on Tuesday, borough
officials will present Officer
Machelli with a plaque in
commemoration of Boss's service.
Trained by Alan Finn of Designing
Dogs in Old Forge, Boss served in
Dunmore and then Taylor, before
retiring last year. Cross-trained
for several activities, Boss worked
with youths and apprehended
criminals. He participated in
education programs
and search and
rescue operations.
Like the officers
he worked with, Boss could be tough
or tender, as needed. Three years
ago, Boss ripped the ear off a man
who kicked him following a
high-speed chase. "He had seven
career bites," Officer Machelli
said, all in felony arrest cases.
Yet, Mr. Finn also noted that Boss
could be gentle, allowing children
to sit on him. Boss also searched
the World Trade Center site,
following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror
attacks, worked with state police
and served as a model for other
police departments, Mr. Finn said.
"Everybody in the community knew
Boss," he added. Contact the
writer: jmrozinski @timesshamrock.com
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir
CPWDA & Dawn Lanham, Dispatcher-New
Castle DE
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 
