 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2010-O
The
F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of memorial cards to all partners |
Dept. addresses available for those who want to send condolences to officers. See below
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2010-O
The
F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of memorial cards to all partners |
|
In
Loving Memory of
K9 ONAICHE
November 5, 2010
Handler:
Sgt. Kyle Albritton
Highlands
County Sheriff's Office
434 Fernleaf Avenue Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 402-7200
WEBSITE -
http://www.highlandssheriff.org/
K-9 unit loses most successful dog
Highlands County Sheriff's Office
Sgt. Kyle Albritton exercises with ÔNaiche.
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office recently lost one of
its most successful crime fighters, one who would go to
great lengths -- through heat, sandspurs, palmettos and
anything else -- to bring suspects into custody with never a
complaint.
"Naiche," (pronounced nee-chee) one of the HCSO bloodhounds, died on Nov. 5. Naiche served the HCSO for 10 years and was the oldest K-9 deputy before he retired from full duty in September. He was diagnosed by two separate veterinarians with a nasal tumor. Naiche put up a good fight but his condition worsened by the day, his long-time handler, Sgt. Kyle Albritton, said. Naiche lived with Albritton while the two were a team and then during his short retirement. Albritton, who called Naiche his "best friend," had a hard time coming up with words to describe his former partner. "Statistically, Naiche was second to none," Albritton said. "He produced more physical apprehensions than any other K-9 in the history of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. "Naiche will be remembered for much more than just his success. He was a loyal partner and best friend who touched many lives throughout his journey. His kid-like personality would bring smiles and laughter to anyone who was in his presence. Much can be learned from his loyalty, determination, and heart. "He spent his entire life doing what he truly loved, serving the citizens of Highlands County by tracking and locating those who needed to be found. Naiche, you will be truly missed." From the start of his career with the sheriff's office, which began Jan. 29, 2001, Naiche was a star. He was responsible over the years for 216 apprehensions -- 84 felony and 88 misdemeanor -- and rescued and located 44 missing children and adults. Albritton, who spent seven years with the K-9 unit, and Naiche apprehended 185 people -- 73 of them felony arrests -- during their time as a team. Five of those arrested were arson suspects, four were wanted for armed robbery, and three were murder suspects. Humans weren't the only things Naiche would track down. He also trailed some stolen cows and helped bust a couple who was rustling cattle. Naiche and Albritton once tracked a robbery suspect who had taken more than $30,000 from a store on Kenilworth Boulevard in Sebring. Albritton and Naiche treed him in an orange grove off Sheriff's Tower Road. They also tracked down three suspects who ran from a stolen car. That chase began in Avon Park and ended in Frostproof. Naiche and Albritton received letters of commendation from both the HCSO and the Avon Park Police Department for their work. "He was just the best dog around," Albritton said. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of |
