In
Loving
Memory of
K9 JOSH
November 12,
2011
Handler:
Inspector
Miles
Mitchell
South Africa
Police dog,
Josh, killed
in action
Metro police
Inspector Miles
Mitchell knew
that when he had
his dog, Josh,
on his team. It
was like having
10 other
policeman at his side. Fearless Josh was a dedicated crime fighter,
whose very
presence
overwhelmed
suspects.
“He was like a heat-seeking missile,” Mitchell said. Sometimes all the
45kg German
Shepherd needed
to do was to
bark
to get suspects to surrender. At other times, Josh tackled those foolish
enough to make a
break for it,
bringing them
down for arrest. This year alone, Josh and his handler were responsible
for recovering
more than R100
000 worth of
stolen property,
including copper
cable, plasma
TVs and DVD
players.
They were
involved on
Saturday in
helping round up
a gang of seven
who robbed 30
guests at a
house party in
Kloof.
On Sunday night,
Mitchell and
Josh nabbed two
men suspected of
breaking into a
bottle store in
Clermont, near
Pinetown.
Mitchell was coming off the night shift and was taking Josh, his partner
of more than
four years, back
to the kennels
and reward him with some milk when tragedy struck. They were at Spaghetti
Junction when
Mitchell spotted
a man
carrying
suspected stolen
goods. “When the
man saw us he
dropped
everything and
ran,” Mitchell
said. As he fled
up an embankment, Josh did not hesitate and set off in pursuit, tackling
his man and
bringing him
down.
They tussled
and rolled down
the embankment,
on to the road.
Seconds later, a
truck came
around the
corner and
struck Josh. The suspect managed to escape. “I heard a yelp and Josh was
just lying on
the ground. I
tried to feel
for a pulse,
but did not know
where to look.
“But it was all
over really. His
jaw was broken.
I could not
believe it.
It was quick and
he did not
suffer.” The
truck driver
stopped to help,
but it was all
too late
Mitchell said.
“It was an accident. There is a bit of a blind spot on the road.”
Drivers were
swerving to
avoid hitting
the dead dog.
A devastated
Mitchell said
his telephone
had been
ringing non-stop
with friends and
colleagues
calling
to offer their
condolences.
Mitchell has
been offered
another dog,
and is looking forward to training another partner.
“It will be good
to do that to
keep Josh’s
memory alive,”
he said.
submitted
by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JACK
October 29, 2011
Handler:
Ken Reid
Director of Public
Safety
Lawrence & Memorial
Hospitals
Connecticut
L&M workers
mourn loss of Jack,
beloved security dog
Jack, Lawrence &
Memorial Hospital's
narcotics security dog,
and his handler,
Director of Public
Safety Ken Reid make
their rounds one day
last December. Jack died
Saturday, struck by a
passing car.
Staff at Lawrence & Memorial
Hospital on Monday mourned
the loss of Jack, the
friendly and energetic
security dog who had
patrolled the hospital for
the past year and a half.
Jack, a 2½-year-old black
Labrador retriever, was
training Saturday near the
home of Ken Reid, the
director of public safety at
L&M, when he strayed into
the road and was killed by a
passing car, said Michael
O'Farrell, spokesman for
L&M. "There are a lot of
heavy hearts here today,"
O'Farrell said Monday. "We
have truly lost a member of
our team." Jack was killed
instantly, O'Farrell
said.Trained to detect
illegal drugs that were
brought into the hospital,
Jack made several
discoveries and also acted
as a deterrent, O'Farrell
said.
When he sniffed drugs, he
would use body language to
signal Reid, who would then
confiscate the drugs or call
another officer to do so,
and contact police. "He was
not here for show,"
O'Farrell said. Jack also
served as a morale booster
and was a welcome presence
wherever he went in the
hospital. "Ken couldn't go
from point A to point B
without somebody stopping
and wanting to pet him and
asking questions," O'Farrell
said. Karen Nicole Porter,
nurse manager in the
Emergency Department, said
Jack "lifted our spirts"
whenever Reid would bring
him there, providing staff
with therapeutic licks and
tail wagging as they petted
his velvety coat.
"We deal with such stress
and we have such busy days,"
she said. "Staff would just
go running to him. Anybody
that saw him, a smile would
be on their faces." When
returning to her office from
another part of the
hospital, Porter said she
would often take a route
that led her by Reid's
office so she could visit
Jack. But Jack also made
emergency department staff
feel safer, not only by
deterring people from
bringing narcotics in but
also by helping to calm
patients and family members
who were potentially unruly
or violent, she said. "He
wouldn't have to do a
thing," Porter said. "Just
him sitting in the emergency
room with Ken was a huge
deterrent."
Jack spent about 40 hours
a week patrolling the
hospital with Reid, wearing
a royal blue vest with a
"K-9 Unit" patch that
matched Reid's uniform. He
went home with Reid at the
end of each work day. The
two were together 24/7,
O'Farrell said. Reid
declined to comment Monday.
Jack began working at L&M in
the summer of 2010, part of
several new safety and
security initiatives that
included the installation of
a network of security
cameras and additional
security staff. No decisions
had been made as of Monday
about whether L&M would get
another security dog,
O'Farrell said.
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JAX
October 4, 2011
Handler: Matthew Pretty
Little Egg Harbor Twp. Police Dept.
665 RADIO RD
LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP
NEW JERSEY,08087
609-296-3666
Patrolman Matthew Pretty knew there
was something significant about
Tuesday’s date, Oct. 4.
His K-9 partner, Jax, had a large
tumor in his chest cavity
surrounding his heart. His lungs
were filling with blood.
Nothing could make Jax better. So on
Tuesday, Jax was euthanized at the
Red Bank Animal Hospital after
serving as the township’s police K-9
for six years. The loss gave Pretty
a chance to reflect on Jax’s career.
“I was sitting there thinking, why
is this date so important?” said
Pretty, 35. “And then I realized —
it had been a year since the
shootings.” A year prior, Oct.
4, 2010, 45-year-old Craig Mueller
opened fire in the quiet Tall
Timbers housing development, killing
his 52-year-old brother Bryan
Mueller and 21-year-old neighbor
Kara Ellis, who was trying to help
her injured neighbor.
Jax was the first member of law
enforcement to enter the home that
day in search of the shooter, called
on by the county’s Regional SWAT
Team.
Pretty attached Jax to a long-line
leash and sent him into the home.
Jax cleared the first floor.
The second floor was next.
“I basically said my goodbyes to Jax
as I got ready to send him upstairs,
because we knew that’s where this
guy was shooting from,” Pretty said.
Members of the SWAT Team, wearing
gas masks, stood on the first floor
of the home that had been gassed,
waiting as Jax made his way upstairs
in search of the shooter. “I
knew the SWAT team would have been
in more danger without Jax’s
assistance,” Pretty said. “And I’m
standing there, holding my breath
and listening for him and then I
heard him bark and scratch at a
door.”
Law enforcement made their way
upstairs to find Craig Mueller in
the bedroom, dead from a
self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Pretty never imagined that one year
later to the day he would be saying
goodbye again to Jax, but this time
for good.
He described the 95-pound German
Shepherd as a light switch.
“You could turn him on and off. When
he was home he knew he was a regular
dog. He was great with my 4-year-old
and 9-month-old-daughter,” he said.
But Jax also excelled as a tracking
and narcotics police dog. Jax was
responsible for 100 narcotics
arrests and a Drug Enforcement
Agency and township police bust that
seized $375,000 in cash in two black
duffel bags.
Pretty put his uniform on Tuesday
before taking Jax to the animal
hospital — one final ride. A group
of police officers and K-9 dogs from
around the state were lined up to
salute Jax.
“They were there to give him his
last honors as he went into the
hospital. It was amazing,” Pretty
said.
Despite the loss, Pretty said he
wants to continue serving as the
township’s K-9 officer and would
like to start training with another
K-9.
Police Chief Richard Buzby said he
definitely wants another K-9 in the
department, but over the last year
the police budget has been tight.
“We’re considering it as we speak
about getting another K-9 dog,”
Buzby said. “We have to look at the
situation and the expenses of
everything involved. It’s a long
process of locating a dog, training
it and then getting it up and
running,” Buzby said.
Ken Schilling, president of the
township’s Policemen’s Benevolent
Association said the union has given
Pretty the money to purchase a new
K-9. Schilling said the PBA also
plans to hold fundraisers in the
future to support the township’s K-9
police unit.
“We want to get a dog back out on
the street as soon possible. It’s
important in this township. We have
to get a dog working out there
again,” Schilling said.
Contact Donna Weaver:
609-226-9198
DWeaver@pressofac.com
Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2011
8:18 pm
Little Egg Harbor Township police
uncertain whether they can replace
K-9, Jax
By DONNA WEAVER Staff
Writer pressofAtlanticCity.com
In Loving Memory of
K9 JAKE
July 29, 2011
Handler: Sgt. Jennifer S. Elkins
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
409 Virginia Street East, Room 280
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
(304)357-02006
The Kanawha County Sheriff's Department deputies lost a police dog last week when one of the department's K-9 officers died.
Jake, a German Shepherd mix, died July 29 after a long illness, according to Lt. Sean Crosier of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department. Jake served as a drug dog from 2003 until retiring in December 2010.
Jake assisted local, state and federal agencies, Crosier said. Once, he found a well-masked shipment of marijuana weighing 54 pounds.
K9 Jake was handled by Sgt. J.S. Elkins.
Jake is the third sheriff's department dog to die this year. Nitro, a narcotics and tracking dog, died in February. Riley, also a narcotics and tracking dog, died in May. Nitro, Riley and their handlers were inducted into the American Police Hall of Fame last month. The organization memorializes fallen officers and fallen canine officers.
The Kanawha County Sheriff's Department has lost five police dogs since 2005.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JEFF
July 1, 2011
Handler: Officer Christopher
Galluppo
Jacksonville Police Department
1 W Adams St # 100
Jacksonville, FL 32202-3616
(904) 354-7373
KRISHA WILLIAMS
TURBEVILLE
RESCUE IN THE
ROCK
Officer
Christopher
Galluppo lost
his partner July
1 when a snake
bite killed one
of
Jacksonville’s
four K9s.
Jeff, a
3-year-old
German shepherd,
was at the home
he shared with
Galluppo and his
family when he
was bitten.
Later, Jeff had
a fatal allergic
reaction to the
venom, said
April Kiser,
public
information
officer for the
department.
“He will be
greatly missed
by the entire
department as
Jeff was a hard
worker but
extremely social
to his law
enforcement
family,” the
department said
in a news
release Monday.
“It’s rare
for a dog to
differentiate
between home and
work, but he
could,” Galluppo
said, noting
that the K9 was
very valuable to
the department
because he was
certified as a
dual purpose
patrol and
narcotic dog
able to track
both suspects
and drugs. With
the department
since July 2008,
he also was the
demo dog,
helping Galluppo
give
demonstrations
to the Boy
Scouts and other
groups.
Jeff was
uniquely suited
for the job
because he was
so good-natured,
his partner of a
year and nine
months said. “He
got along with
everybody.”
The department
credits Jeff
with helping in
numerous drug
arrests and
seizures of
cocaine,
marijuana and
methamphetamine.
Jeff lived among
Galluppo’s four
children but
wasn’t treated
like a typical
pet. He had a
special diet and
sleeping
quarters. The
family became
attached
nonetheless.
“Especially my
daughter,”
Galluppo said.
“She’s little,
but she loved
him a lot.”
The handler and
dog are treated
as partners,
forging a
relationship
over time, Kiser
said. The
department wants
to replace Jeff,
but budget cuts
make it
difficult. A
fully trained
dog costs
between $8,000
and $10,000,
Kiser said.
“And then you’re
looking at
several months
of training just
with that
officer and the
K9,” she said.
So outside
assistance may
be needed.
“Jeff’s going to
be tough to
replace,”
Galluppo said.
“They’re like
our partners
because we’re
with them day in
and day out.
submitted
by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JOKER
January 25, 2005 - February 13, 2011
Handler: Josh Strand
Rockford Park District
Rockford, IL
(815) 966-2900
Rockford
Park
District
K-9
officer
leaves
'impressive
legacy'
A
memorial
set
up
Thursday,
May
26,
2011,
for
Rockford
Park
District
Police
K-9
service
dog
Joker
during
a
service
at
the
Riverfront
Museum
Park
in
Rockford.
The
Rockford
Park
District
paid
homage
Thursday
to a
German
shepherd
police
dog
who
died
of
cancer.
Joker,
the
6-year-old
canine
cop
who
served
with
the
district
since
2006,
died
Feb.
13
after
a
long
battle
with
cancer.
He
was
the
department’s
first
and
only
police
dog
so
far.
Joker
is
credited
with
helping
seize
narcotics
worth
a
street
value
of
more
than
$1
million.
The
German
shepherd
and
officer
Josh
Strand,
his
handler,
are
also
recognized
for
helping
seize
more
than
$500,000
and
60
vehicles.
They
assisted
agencies
like
the
FBI,
DEA
and
Stateline
area
narcotics
team.
“Joker
holds
an
impressive
legacy
with
our
department
and
due
to
his
outstanding
contributions
to
the
field
of
law
enforcement
the
Park
District
plans
to
continue
our
K-9
program,”
said
interim
Police
Chief
John
Piccolin.
The
department
hopes
to
have
a
new
K-9
officer
trained
and
working
by
early
2012,
Piccolin
said.
Strand
will
again
be
its
handler.
Joker
was
also
a
part
of
demonstrations
for
children
at
schools
and
other
events.
The
K-9
cop
was
also
the
family
pet
for
Strand’s
two
young
children,
who
said
a
tearful
goodbye
to
their
beloved
dog.
“We
specifically
requested
a
dog
that
was
more
friendly
toward
people,
especially
kids,”
Strand
said.
“He
was
very
receptive
to
kids.”
The
memorial
service
for
Joker
included
scripture
readings
by
Chaplain
Randy
Young,
comments
from
Park
District
Executive
Director
Tim
Dimke,
a
poem
read
by
Strand’s
wife,
Michelle,
and
the
retiring
of
Joker’s
badge
number
1151.
The
department
extended
its
thanks
to
those
who
supported
Joker
during
chemotherapy
treatments.
The
Sept.
25
“Jokerfest”
event
raised
about
$10,000
to
cover
the
costs
of
Joker’s
medical
expenses.
Joker
was
born
Jan.
25,
2005,
in
Germany,
where
he
received
basic
training
before
he
was
brought
to
the
United
States
and
entered
into
the
police
K-9
program
at
TOPS
K-9
Complex
in
Grayslake.
He
was
diagnosed
with
Type
B
lymphoma
cancer
in
March
2010
and
began
20
weeks
of
cancer
treatments,
Piccolin
said.
Joker
returned
to
duty
on
June
17
when
the
cancer
went
into
remission,
but
the
return
of
the
disease
forced
the
dog
to
end
his
duties
on
the
street
for
good.
M O
R E:
A
6-year-old
German
shepherd
police
dog
who
died
of
cancer
in
February
was
remembered
in
Rockford.
The
Rockford
Park
District
honored
Joker
on
Thursday.
The
Rockford
Register
Star
reports
Joker
was
the
district's
first
and
only
police
dog.
The
dog
died
Feb.
13
of
cancer.
Joker
helped
seize
narcotics
worth
more
than
$1
million,
$500,000
and
60
vehicles.
Joker
and
his
handler
Josh
Strand
helped
agencies
including
the
FBI
and
DEA.
The
dog
also
did
demonstrations
for
children.
Strand
says
Joker
was
"very
receptive
to
kids."
Officials
say
they
more
to
have
another
canine
officer
trained
and
working
by
next
year.
Joker's
badge
No.
1151
was
retired
during
Thursday's
ceremony.
Submitted
by
Jim
Cortina,
Dir.
CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JAGGER
May 13, 2011
Handler: Deputy Brad Manville
Wake County Sheriff's Office
330 South Salisbury Street
Raleigh,
NC
27602
919-856.6900
Canine deputy loses battle with cancer
Jagger, the canine partner of Deputy Brad
Manville, passed away on Friday, May 13,
2011, at Kildaire Animal Hospital in Cary.
Jagger was diagnosed with cancer in December
2010, but fought cancer the same way he
fought crime, with vigor and a dogged
determination to win the fight. Jagger did
so well during his chemotherapy that his
doctors gave him the ok to return to work,
where he was happiest. He continued to work
right up to the very end. During the four
years that he served Wake County, Jagger had
a successful career, seizing
millions of dollars worth of illegal
narcotics and apprehending numerous
suspects.
He loved chasing the bad guys. In 2009 when
Deputy Manville and Jagger were involved in
a shooting, Deputy Manville credits Jagger
with saving his life ."Jagger had a unique
disposition for a police dog," said Sheriff
Donnie Harrison. "He could be playful and
gentle around children one minute, but ready
to catch the criminals the very next minute.
The citizens of Wake County and I have been
very fortunate to have such an excellent dog
working for us." According to Deputy
Manville, "Jagger was truly an amazing
animal, loyal partner, faithful companion,
and sweet-spirited dog.
He was loved by all who knew him and will be
deeply missed, especially by those who loved
him most, his family. " Jagger was a ten
year old, Belgian Malinois, who was trained
both in patrol and narcotics. He also had an
impressive record in canine competitions.
Jagger competed in four United States Police
Canine Association regional trials where he
was ranked #1 K9 in 2003, 2005, and 2006.
Sheriff Harrison also expressed his
appreciation to Kildaire Animal Hospital for
the compassion and kindness they extended to
Jagger during his cancer treatment.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9 JODIE
January 07, 2011
Handler: Brad Smith, Fire Marshall
Wichita
Fire Department
455
N. Main, 11th Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 268-4585
Career
Highlights of Jodie 2001-2008
Investigated 330 Structure Fires, 207 determined to
be Arson
Cases she was involved with led to 60 Felony Arrests
Total dollar loss of incidents she assisted in,
$44,986,900
Wichita Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit
The WFD-FIU investigates all major fire incidents in the
City of Wichita. In 2007 the WFD-FIU investigated 261
scenes, with 148 being determined to be accidental, 93
were deemed arson, and in 20 incidents an exact cause
could not be determined. These investigations led to 29
felony arrests for arson, resulting in a clearance rate
of 31%.
As of December of 2008, the WFD-FIU has investigated 240
scenes, with 133 accidental, 25 undetermined and 82
scenes that were determined to be arson. So far there
have been 41 arson arrests made this year by the WFD-FIU,
resulting in a case clearance rate of 50%. The nation
average for arson clearance is near 23%.
Anyone having information on arson fires is encouraged
to call the WFD-FIU at 268-4585, Crime Stoppers at
267-2111 or the Arrest Arson in Kansas Hotline at
1-800-KS-CRIME.
submitted by
Tracy Klett & Brad Henson, Fire Marshal - Olathe
Fire Department & Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 
