Dox, center, and Lyon, right, were killed in May during an operation carried out by the Minas Gerais Military Police.
(Courtesy of PMMG)
CURITIBA, Brazil – Quick, determined and with impeccable senses of smell and hearing, Dox and Lyon lost their lives during a recent police operation. The two dogs were fatally shot while pursuing suspects in a forest near the city of Ribeirão das Neves on behalf of the Minas Gerais Military Police on May 17. As soon as the trained German Shepherds located the hiding criminals, they started barking to alert officers they had located the suspects. “One of the fugitives fired nine rounds and five hit Dox and four hit Lyon,” says Capt. Paulo Roberto Alves, commander of the Minas Gerais Military Police (PMMG) Shock Brigade, where the dogs had trained and served. “They gave their lives to protect police officers.” But the PMMG took an extra step to honor their canine colleagues.
The courage shown by Dox and Lyon, who had been on the force for six and two years, respectively, inspired the organization to create a Hall of Heroes. It’s expected to be built this year at the headquarters of the PMMG’s 1st Company for Special Missions, in Contagem.
Capt. Paulo Roberto Alves, commander of Minas Gerais Military Police (PMMG) Shock Brigade, center, and other officers pay their respects to police dogs Dox and Lyon, who were killed in the line of duty. (Courtesy of PMMG)
The hall will contain the ashes of dogs lost in service, as well as plaques and their photographs. Dox and Lyon will be the first enshrined.
The dogs also were the first to be cremated by the PMMG, on May 20. Prior to their cremation, the officers spent a few minutes with the Dox and Lyon’s remains, paying respect to their fallen heroes.
“It was one of the saddest moments of my life,” says Officer Luís Antônio de Castro Maciel, who was assigned to work with Dox five years ago. “It was like he was family to me.” Officer Welly Lucindo, who was assigned to work with Lyon more than two years ago, says he “lost a friend.” “What happened was a real tragedy,” he says. “I’m never going to forget him.” Alves says the 16 dogs assigned to the unit are considered police officers.
Popó, a police dog with the Federal Highway Police (PRF) of Paraná, searches for hidden narcotics during a training exercise with his guide, Officer Natalino Cebulski. (Débora Mühlbeier Lorusso for Infosurhoy.com)
They train, they’re registered and they work just like any other officer,” he says. “In addition, they learn to give their lives if necessary.” Police dogs are an invaluable resource when conducting operations, Alves says.
“In dense forests, 70% of the operation depends on the dogs, and only 30% on the human officers,” he adds. “They’re essential.”
“The dogs are one step ahead of the human officers in terms of speed, because of their body types; in hearing, because they can detect infrasound and ultrasound; and in their sense of smell, because they possess somewhere around 200 million olfactory cells, while a human, on average, has around 5,000,” says Sgt. Marcelo Piovesan, who heads the technical training of the War Dogs at the Army Police’s 5th Company in Curitiba in the state of Paraná.
The Federal Highway Police (PRF) in Paraná said the dogs’ performances played a major role in the department’s recent success in its fight against narcotics. The results of the PRF’s operations in Paraná enabled the state lead the nation in crack and marijuana seizures.
Police dogs receive special training. Police dogs are not trained in the same way as normal dogs, Piovesan says. “Families want their pet dogs to behave,” he says. “Police dogs need specialized training that is specific and ongoing.” Each dog goes through a socialization process when it’s a puppy, Piovesan adds. The dogs are then trained during simulations that mirror what they’ll face in the field, such as running through tunnels, entering automobiles and swimming.
After 18 months, dogs are eligible to begin specific, more intense training, which lasts between three to six months. After this period, the dog continues to engage in physical exercise and maintenance training. Detection dogs are trained to associate the smell of narcotics or explosives with a toy.
Officer Leonel Weng plays with future police dogs for the Federal Highway Police in Paraná. (Débora Mühlbeier Lorusso for Infosurhoy.com)
“If he finds the toy, the payoff is that he can play with his guide,” says PRF Officer Natalino Cebulski, who has been working with a Labrador named Popó for two years. Popó is so well trained he can find small quantities of narcotics. “A backpacker brought a marijuana cigarette to the beach and smoked it. On his way back, Popó was able to smell the drug in the backpack, even though there were only a few remnants,” Cebulski says. Breeds such as Labradors, German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds make the best detection dogs, Piovesan adds. A dog signals the presence of narcotics by scratching, barking or biting the area. In the case of explosives, the animal is trained to sit or lay down, in order to avoid detonating the bomb by touching it. Larger, more intimidating dogs are used for guard duties and protection.
“For operations at soccer matches or prison uprisings, the best breeds are Rottweilers, Dobermans, Brazilian Mastiffs or pit bulls,” Piovesan says. The dog always is accompanied by the same officer, so a relationship of trust can be built. The more comfortable the dog feels with its guide, the stronger the partnership. A police dog will work with the force for an average of eight years. When it’s time for the dog to retire, the officer has option of adopting the canine. Dogs are trained to give their lives for their guide, for their team or for a civilian in danger, Piovesan says. “They don’t hesitate, they don’t think twice and they’re always ready,” he adds. “A tribute to the dogs who gave their all, like Dox and Lyon, is the right thing to do.” Three police officers would take between 15 to 30 minutes to inspect the baggage on a passenger bus,” says Leonel Weng, a police officer who works with the PRF police dogs. “In two minutes, a dog can let you know if there are drugs on the scene.”
submitted by Dawn Lanham, Retired New Castle Delaware Police Dept. and also; Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
MWD DON
December 14, 2011
Osan Air Base
South Korea
MWD Don was euthanized 12/14/11 at Osan Air Base, South Korea.
He had spondylosis past the point of medical treatment .
He was still in service. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
Father in heaven, as we gather in this time and place there’s
a few things we would like to say: Thank You for the fine
food we’re about to enjoy, and thank You that we can and
will enjoy it. Thank You for all of those who had a hand
in making it happen.
In Loving Memory of
K9 DIESEL
October 31, 2011
 
Handler: Officer John Harring
Billerica Police Department
MA
Diesel was three years old when the Billerica Police obtained him in February 2009 from the Riverside Bloodhound Rescue in Penn. Diesel replaced Annabelle, Billerica’s original hound. Diesel and handler, John Harring, attended the Connecticut State Police 137th Bloodhound Training Troop and obtained a Man Trailing Certification through the New England State Police Administrator’s Conference. This certification has to be maintained through quarterly testing.
- Patrolman John Harring with “Diesel”
Diesel is utilized to search for missing and wanted persons. Bloodhounds often work in conjunction with other police dogs to locate and apprehend persons. Diesel resides with Officer John Harring at his home. The team is on call 24 hours a day to respond to calls requiring the assistance of a do
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving
Memory of
K9 DEKX
September
2011
Westmont
Police
Department
500 N
Cass Ave
Westmont, IL
60559-1503
Former Westmont
police dog dies
A former
police dog that
served the
village before
budget cuts did
away with the
program died
last week.
Westmont Police
Chief Tom
Mulhearn said
that Dekx, a dog
who had served
in the
department for
five years,
passed away last
week after a
battle with
cancer. The
department’s
Citizens Police
Academy Alumni
are taking up a
collection in
the name of Dekx
for Illinois
Vest-A-Dog, a
non-profit group
out of Palos
Heights that
donates bullet
resistant vests
for dogs to area
police
departments.
Anyone wishing
to make a
donation can do
so at the
Westmont Police
Department at
500 N. Cass Ave.
Dekx was retired
in 2009 after
budget cuts did
away with the
department’s K-9
program, and the
dog went to live
with his
handler, officer
Thomas Kozielski,
who kept him
until he died
last week,
Mulhearn said.
submitted
by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 DOSS
July 19, 2011
Handler: Noel
Marshal Jacob
Boles
McDonald County Sheriff’s Office
Noel, Missouri
It is with great
sadness, Marshal
Jacob Boles
announces the
loss of his
beloved friend
and partner.
Doss was put to
rest on July
19th after
suffering a heat
stroke on July
16th. Doss was
14 years old,
during his
working days he
worked with the
McDonald County
Sheriff’s Office
along the side
of then McDonald
County Sgt.
Jacob Boles from
2001-2006 before
retiring. Doss
was certified in
narcotics,
suspect
apprehension and
article
search. Doss
was also known
for his love to
eat tires. May
he never be
forgotten.
submitted by
Jill Boles
jill.boles@walmartlegal.com
In Loving Memory
of
K9 DOOBIE
February 22, 2011
Handler: Deputy
Daniel Gardner
McDonald County
Sheriff's Dept.
Noel, MO
Doobie a narcotic
detector trained
passive alert Black
Labrador Retriever
is handled by Deputy
Daniel Gardner.
** Doobie
passed away on Feb
22, 2011 - RIP You
will be missed**
In Loving Memory of
K9 DANI
July 26, 2011
Handler: Officer Warren
Barry
Santa Cruz Police Dept.
155 Center St.
Santa Cruz, CA
95060
City Council to Honor
Police K9
Today the Santa Cruz
City Council will honor
K9 Dani, a retired
police K9 that passed
away two weeks ago.
Dani served our
community locating
missing persons,
narcotics, weapons, and
more. Dani was
more than a
highly-trained police
K9. He was a
family dog and friend
and lived with his
handler, Sgt. Warren
Barry and family, his
entire life.
MORE:
A four-legged member of the Santa Cruz police department was honored today. "Dani" the dog was recognized for his years of service on the K-9 unit. Officer Warren Barry got the honor of representing his companion in front of the Santa Cruz city council. The mayor proclaimed July 26th as the new "Dani Barry" day.
"I think that what made him so special was that he was imoprtant to our department and he did a lot of work for the department and the community," said Officer Barry.Dani spent thousands of hours patrolling the streets for crime. He helped with everything, from robberies to drug busts. Barry recalled a time when Dani helped him out of a tough spot with a violent man. "During the contact, he [the suspect] had turned on me and we started to struggle. Dani got out of the car and saved me from a big fight," said Officer Barry. After retiring from the police force, Dani lived out his life with Officer Barry. He instantly became a member of the family. "He was like my best friend," said daughter. "He was a really good friend. He slept next to me day and night when I broke my arm. I still look for him everytime before I leave but he's not there." "Once there's a big bond with the family the pet is part of that family and losing a member of your family is extremely traumatic. He was a friend he was a companion he was a protector," said Officer Barry.
A protector who will be missed by his family and the city of Santa Cruz.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9 DAKOTA
August 1, 2011
TFC Jason Cassavechia
Connecticut State Police
Department
Troop L - Litchfield
Troop A - Southbury
It is with great
sadness that TFC
Jason Cassavechia announces
the passing of his
K9 partner Dakota,
of the Connecticut
State Police.
K9 Dakota served the
State Police at
Troop L in
Litchfield and Troop
A in Southbury
between 2002 and
2008. Dakota was a
cross trained
patrol/narcotics
dog. He assisted in
the apprehension of
numerous felons. He
also assisted in the
seizure of large
amounts of narcotics
where he assisted
numerous local,
state and federal
agencies. Dakota
was an excellent
tracking dog and
also assisted in
finding many lost
persons. He earned
the Sgt. Stubby
award in 2005 from
the First Governor
Foot Guard for
locating a firearm
in a wooded area in
New Britain that was
used in an armed
robbery. He also
received a medal for
finding a resident
that had wandered
off from a medical
instiution and was
in need of medical
care. Dakota also
received a medal for
assisting in the
apprehension of an
individual involved
in a shooting in Dutchess
County, NY.
Dakota retired to
TFC Cassavechia and
his family due to
medical reasons.
Dakota enjoyed his
retirement. In his
down time, he took
great pleasure in
playing with his red
kong toy. In 2008,
he welcomed a new K9
partner, Luger.
Dakota and Luger
became the best of
friends.
In
2009, he underwent
emergency surgery
for bloat, which he
survived. Dakota's
health began to
deteriate over the
summer of 2011. He
lost weight at a
rapid rate and was
unable to keep his
food down. On
August 1, 2011, TFC
Cassavechia and his
Vet, made the very
difficult decision
to put Dakota to
sleep. Dakota died
peacefully on
08/1/11 at 11 years
old.
He will always be
remembered for his
intense drive and
loyalty.
submitted by:
Jason Cassavechia
In
Loving Memory of
K9 DANTE
July 2011
Handler:
Officer Warren Barry
Santa Cruz Police Department
155 Center St.
Santa Cruz, CA 950060
831-420.5800
During his police
career, he took down
five armed men —
including one with a
sawed-off shotgun.
He was part of the
SWAT team, one time
sniffing out an
armed man through a
floor vent. He
found burglars
hiding in the woods
and could detect
hidden-away
marijuana, cocaine,
crack cocaine,
methamphetamine and
heroin. Dante,
Falls' first police
K9, was put down
Saturday night after
veterinarians
discovered that
cancer had spread
through his body,
Lt. Hank Ward said.
The golden-colored
Belgian Malinois was
11. "He was a
really, really good
dog," said Ward, who
kept Dante at his
house with his
family. "The best
way someone
described him was he
could be your best
friend and your
worst enemy. He
could turn it on or
turn it off." If
Dante turned it on —
and you weren't a
cop wearing
protective gear —
you were in trouble.
"It feels like your
arm's in a vice,"
said Sgt. Tom
Gaffney of Bristol
Township, whose K9
unit trains with
Falls and other
departments. "Once
he attached himself,
he stayed there
until he was
instructed to come
off." If you
weren't wearing
protective clothing,
Dante's bite felt
like a "very large
bee sting," Gaffney
said. To get
an idea of Dante's
abilities, consider
this incident about
five years ago.
Falls police had
gotten a call about
a man armed with a
sawed-off shotgun
outside the Commons
of Fallsington
apartments. Ward,
then a sergeant, and
Dante were the first
to arrive. "I
could see that (the
man) had the weapon
and I sent Dante,"
said Ward, now a
lieutenant. "The guy
tried to get on top
of the roof of a
car. But Dante
grabbed him from
behind as soon as he
got on the hood and
dragged him down."
The shotgun fell
from the man's
hands. Dante began
biting him on his
arms while Ward
joined the fight to
try to cuff the man,
which ultimately
took two more
officers to
accomplish.
During the struggle,
though, the man
grabbed Dante by the
collar and ruptured
the salivary gland
in his neck, a wound
that would require
surgery.
Another time, Dante
tracked down a man
who had fired
several shots out
his window on
Makefield Road. The
SWAT team entered
the house thinking
the man was
upstairs, but Dante
led them to a floor
vent, which led the
cops to the armed
man in the basement,
Ward said.
Falls police are
looking for the
$15,000-plus that it
will take to replace
Dante, who
eventually became
one of four K9s in
the department.
Without him, one
police shift lacks a
K9 to chase burglars
and take down the
bad guys, Ward said.
The department is
also left with one
drug-detecting dog.
The other two
specialize in
sniffing out
explosives.
Thousands of folks
in Falls and beyond
had seen Dante over
the years clamping
his teeth around a
police officer's
heavily-protected
arm during
demonstrations at
schools and various
community events.
Many people also
rubbed their fingers
through the gentle
dog's fur. "He
wasn't aggressive at
all towards people,
who could walk right
up to him," Ward
said. "A lot of
people when I was
working, wanted to
pet the dog, which
helped promote the
department. Some
people won't talk to
you but will talk to
your dog."
By BEN FINLEY Staff
writer
Calkins Media, Inc.
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
MORE:
Dog Honored for Service with Santa Cruz
Police
7/26/11
Santa Cruz, Calif.- A four-legged
member of the Santa Cruz police
department was honored today. "Dani"
the dog was recognized for his years
of service on the K-9 unit. Officer
Warren Barry got the honor of
representing his companion in front
of the Santa Cruz city council. The
mayor proclaimed July 26th as the
new "Dani Barry Day."
"I think that
what made him so special was that he
was
important to our department and
he did a lot of work for the
department and the community," said
Officer Barry.
Dani
spent thousands of hours patrolling
the streets for crime. He helped
with everything, from robberies to
drug busts. Barry recalled a time
when Dani helped him out of a tough
spot with a violent man. "During the
contact, he [the suspect] had turned
on me and we started to struggle.
Dani got out of the car and saved me
from a big fight," said Officer
Barry. After retiring from the
police force, Dani lived out his
life with Officer Barry. He
instantly became a member of the
family.
"He was like my best friend,"
said daughter Quinlynn Barry. "He
was a really good friend. He slept
next to me day and night when I
broke my arm. I still look for him
every time before I leave but he's
not there." "Once there's a big bond
with the family the pet is part of
that family and losing a member of
your family is extremely traumatic.
He was a friend he was a companion
he was a protector," said Officer
Barry. "A protector who will be
missed by his family and the city of
Santa Cruz." submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 DAR
May 7, 2011
Handler:
Deputy Brad Wright
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
63333 Hwy 20 W
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-6655
sheriff.deschutes.org
website -
http://app.razorplanet.com/acct/43623-8887/tmpl/index.php?nid=150245&s=au&grpid=27135&grpDetails=true&null=0
Sheriff’s Office patrol dog dies
A 6-year-old Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
patrol dog named Dar was found dead by his
handler Saturday. Dar was a German shepherd who
spent 3 years at the Crook County Sheriff’s
Office along with his handler Deputy Wright. In
February 2010 Deputy Wright was hired by the
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, which
purchased “Dar” from Crook County. They have
worked together in Deschutes County for the past
year. . During his time with his handler, Deputy
Brad Wright, Dar helped track and capture 42
criminal suspects, and locate six missing
children. “Dar” was known for his superior
tracking ability, and once tracked a suspect for
4 ½ miles before locating him. He was a great
addition to the Sheriff’s Office and will be
greatly missed. The cause of Dar’s death is not
known. The Sheriff’s Office will begin the
search for Dar’s replacement in the near future.
MORE:
Deschutes SO Patrol Dog 'Dar' Dies
One of Four K-9s On the Force
By Barney Lerten, KTVZ.COM
Deschutes County
Sheriff's Office patrol dog "Dar,"
credited with helping capture dozens
of criminal suspects and finding
several missing children over the
past four years, died at the home of
his sheriff’s deputy handler over
the weekend, the agency announced
Thursday.
The cause of death is not known, but
foul play is not suspected in last
Saturday’s death of Dar, a
6-year-old male German Shepherd,
whose handler was Deputy Brad
Wright. "In fact, they had played
together most of the day at home,"
said sheriff's Capt. Tim Edwards.
"He went to take a nap and didn't
wake up." Dar and Wright had been
with Deschutes County since February
2010 and previously both worked for
three years with the Crook County
Sheriff’s Office, Edwards said.
During their time together, Wright
and Dar tracked and captured 42
criminal suspects and located six
missing children. Dar was known for
his superior tracking ability, once
following a suspect for 4 ½ miles
before finding him, the captain
said. “He was a great addition to
the sheriff’s office and will be
greatly missed,” Edwards said in an
announcement, adding that the agency
will begin the search for Dar’s
replacement in the near future.
The loss leaves the sheriff’s office
with one patrol dog and two
narcotics tracking dogs, Edwards
said. Edwards said public donations
are not being sought for the new
K-9, but that several people have
offered to assist the agency in
doing so.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 DRIKA
April 12, 2011
Handler: Sgt. Payte
Bryant Police Department
312 Royal Lane
Bryant, AR 72022-2582
(501) 847-0211
Missing police K-9 found
dead
Bryant Police say their missing K-9 Drika was
found dead Tuesday afternoon. Bryant Police
report that the missing K9 has been found
deceased, in the Fair Play area, the cause of
death to the K9 is undetermined at this time.
The Bryant Police Department will release any
new information concerning the cause of death
when this information makes itself available.
April 10 at approximately 9:30am, K-9 handler
Sgt. Payte went to feed his partner Drika when
he noticed that she was not in her kennel.
It is obvious that something had tampered with
her kennel and damaged the chain link fence and
it appears that another animal had done this.
Bryant police say the 3-year-old Belgian
Malinois was a great asset to their department
and will be greatly missed. Bryant Police say in
a press release, "Our thoughts and prayers go
out to the officer and his family for this loss.
We also would like to thank the media and public
for all of their help in searching for Drika." submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Memory of
MWD DASTY
Sept.
14, 2006-April 5, 2011
Handler:
Andrew Nichols
Served in support of U.S.Secret Service/Obama in
Anchorage, Bali Indonesia
Graduate of USMC K9 Combat School and passed odor
imprint by ATF.
He was young, no awards given.
submitted by Tracy Klett
In Memory of
K9 DAX
March
.. 2011
Handler: Officer Brian Reeves
Middletown Police Department
5
Municipal Way
Langhorne, PA
19047
(215) 750-3845
Police dog remembered
On the job, he was a serious
officer. At home with his partner, he was a kind and
gentle dog. For Middletown, K-9 "Officer" Dax risked
injury and death, chasing criminals and tracking
suspects. But he was off duty in Bensalem when he
was struck and killed by a driver who never even
bothered to stop, police said. The late K-9 was
fondly remembered Monday during ceremonies at a
Middletown supervisors meeting. A purebred German
shepherd, Dax was imported from the Czech Republic
in 2001 and died Dec. 19 outside the home of his
partner, police Officer Brian Reeves. He was 9.
"There is no way that
the driver didn't know that they hit him," Reeves
said Tuesday. Dax's most celebrated apprehension
came in 2005, when he tracked down the suspect in a
fatal hit-and-run accident in Bristol Township. Dax
made headlines when he led police from the scene of
the crash to the home of a suspect on a nearby
street. A man living at the house later confessed to
leaving the scene. Dax assisted in 31 apprehensions,
many of them along busy streets with heavy traffic,
police said. "(Dax) wouldn't cross the street
without looking first," Reeves said.
"I think maybe as he got
older his vision was impaired." The accident
occurred at night, Reeves said, after he was let out
of the house into a wooded area. He was set to
retire this summer after more than eight years on
the force. During that time, Dax assisted in 208
emergency calls for Middletown, including 134
suspect tracks and 65 building searches, said police
Chief James Kane. The dog also participated in 120
emergency response calls in neighboring towns.
Middletown has two other K-9s - Duke and Max - on
active duty.
Township police have set
up a fund to raise more than $6,000 for the purchase
and training of a new K-9. Donations can be sent to
the Middletown Township Community Foundation, P.O.
Box 1128, Langhorne, PA 19047. "Please express our
heartfelt gratitude to all who donate in memory of
my partner, Dax," Reeves said. "The fund is to train
a new dog, but not to replace Dax. He can never be
replaced."
Photo
generic ..... please email me photo .....
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9 DELON
February 15, 2011
Handler:
Pfc. Freddie Howard
Ocean City Police Department
6501 Coastal Hwy.
Ocean City,
MD
21842.
Phone: 410-723-6610. Fax: 410-723-6955
In
Loving Memory of
K9 DOERAK
January 26, 2011
Handler: Officer Tony Fernandez
Avondale Police Department
11485 W. Civic Center Dr.
Avondale, AZ
85003
PH:
(602) 876-0322
Retired Avondale police dog dies
Avondale police said the canine officer had been
with the department since January 2004.
The Avondale Police Department’s oldest K-9, who was
honored last week during a retirement ceremony, has
died. Doerak, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, had to
be put down suddenly on the morning after the Jan.
26 ceremony because the dog’s valley fever had
spread too much, said Officer Tony Fernandez,
Doerak’s handler. The dog, who also had arthritis,
had been on multiple medications. “He was looking
good on Wednesday and he had a vet appointment on
Thursday and apparently the valley fever was really
bad into his bones,” Fernandez told The Republic
Wednesday.
“He was in a lot of pain and would continue to be in
a lot of pain. . . . So the quality of life for him
would have been not good at all.” Doerak had beaten
valley fever a few years ago, but it came back in
the last six months, Fernandez said. He stayed with
Doerak while the veterinarian put him down. “It was
kind of rough for me, especially when they took the
collar off and handed it to me,” he said. “You walk
in with your partner, then you walk out with just a
collar. That was the hardest part.”
Fernandez said Doerak was a “tough dog.” Doerak
joined the Avondale Police Department in January
2004. Over the years, he earned certification in
narcotics and patrol, drug detection, SWAT
interaction, urban tracking and officer survival. He
placed in the top three in team and individual
events at the Desert Dogs K-9 trials in 2005, 2007
and 2010. He also played a key role in several
investigations, including a drug seizure that netted
$100,000. Doerak was taken out of service in August
once the department purchased Ranger, a 3-year-old
Belgian Malinois, to replace him and Fernandez began
training with the new dog, police spokesman Reuben
Gonzales said. Doerak officially retired last week.
“He had a good career,” Fernandez said. “I think he
did what he enjoyed doing and he was really good at
it.” “Doerak will be missed by his police family at
the Avondale Police Department and his immediate
family, the Fernandez family, who cared for him
during his seven years as a certified police K-9,”
Gonzales said in a statement released Wednesday.
Doerak had lived with Fernandez and his wife,
16-year-old daughter, and 10- and 12-year-old sons.
Fernandez paid the department $1 for the dog and
signed a waiver releasing all liability.
He and his family will remember Doerak for “his
eyes” and the “way he liked to play around.” The dog
often gnawed on Fernandez’s boot while lying next to
him, played ball in the backyard with his sons, and
did tricks with his daughter. “The hardest part is
you keep on looking outside at the kennel thinking
he’d be there because every day for the last seven
years he’s always been out there,” he said.
Submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 
