Memorials to Fallen K-9s
2013-P
The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of memorial cards to all partners 
 I need your help to inform me of such losses.

Dept. addresses available for those who want to send condolences to officers. See below

In Loving Memory of
K9 PATRIOT

October 24, 2013
 
Handler: Detective Wayne Papovitch 
Greenburgh Police Department
188 Tarrytown Rd Ste 2
White Plains, NY  10607
 
 
Veteran Greenburgh Police dog, Patriot, who retired in 2010, has died at age 12.

The Greenburgh Police Department announced Thursday that veteran K-9 police dog Patriot had died at age 12. Patriot, a German shepherd who worked with his handler Detective Wayne Papovitch from 2002 until being retired in 2010, received his name from the second-grade class of Nancy Bowerman of Sacred Heart School in Hartsdale. The name was a tribute to those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Papovitch and Patriot were partnered and received extensive training from the
City of Yonkers Police Department K9 unit.

 

"Patriot has had some health problems recently," Papovitch said when asked about his retired partner last week at a K-9
demonstration with his new dog Metro at Alexander Hamilton High School. "He was an amazing dog to work with."
Patriot was trained for patrol, tracking and narcotics detection, apprehended numerous suspects and made many
successful “hits” on drug locations. "(Patriot) was an invaluable asset to the police department throughout his tenure,"
Greenburgh Police Information Officer Lt. Brian Ryan said. "However, it was his other role, serving as an
 ambassador for the department when interacting with many young school children on a regular basis that endeared
this faithful canine to all who came in contact with him. The Hartsdale Pet Cemetery has graciously
 offered to inter Patriot at the cemetery on Central Park Avenue in Hartsdale as his final resting place.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
 MORE:
 

Police Units Gather To Lay K-9 Officer 'Patriot' To Rest
 
Greenburgh Police Det. Wayne Papovitch and wife Renata honored K-9 Officer Patriot at his funeral in Hartsdale.

A K-9 police dog sits by quietly during ceremonies for Greenburgh Police dog Patriot who was buried in Hartsdale Pet Cemetery.

Greenburgh Police officers honored their longtime friend and fellow officer Patriot.

Police officer and their K-9 partners from many New York area departments attended Patriot's funeral.

VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uzHzOaxKik&feature=youtu.be

Police K-9 teams from Westchester, Rockland and Dutchess counties, Connecticut and New York City joined their comrades from the Greenburgh Police Department Tuesday for the funeral of veteran K-9 Officer Patriot at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery. Bagpipes cried as more than two dozen K-9 officers and their partner dogs walked to to the grave sight in a solemn procession as more than 100 police officers, friends and other honored the Greenburgh Police dog, who died last week at age 12. Patriot's longtime partner and friend Detective Wayne Papovitch read a eulogy and thanked the department, the community, family and friends and the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery for providing a final resting place for Patriot.

"He was a great police officer and even better friend," Papovitch said. "We grew together and became an effective team over nine years. But, Patriot was a bit part of my life. He took a bit of me with him when he died." Patriot, a German Shepherd, who worked Papovitch from 2002 until being retired in 2010. He was named by the second-grade class at Sacred Heart School in Hartsdale in a contest. The name was a tribute to those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Papovitch said Patriot has suffered from several ailments since retiring after a career that included numerous search-and-arrests.

He was trained for patrol, tracking and narcotics detection, having made many successful “hits” on drug locations. Det. Papovitch's wife, Renata Papovitch, said Patriot, who loved being with the family, was a beloved family member and companion to her husband and the couple's 2-year-old daughter. "They were a great team on the job," she said. "They both made me so proud every time they came home and had done their job so well. But, to me and my daughter, Patriot was a sweet wonderful friend. We loved him... he knew that. And we always felt safe and protected." "The community has been so supportive, along with Chief (Joseph) DeCarlo and the department, in helping Patriot and with our work," Det. Papovitch said. "I want to thank everyone for him and me."
 submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
 

In Loving Memory of
MWD PIT
August, 2013
Kansas


 ‘Guardians’ bid farewell to MWD, PIT

As Soldiers stood in line to raise a slow salute to a departed comrade, three simple words seemed to sum up a world: “Soldier. Friend. Partner.” Those words, inscribed on a nearby memorial stone, captured the essence of the life of the military working dog. “Today, we sadly say goodbye to one of our own,” began Sgt. 1st Class Richard Saucier, kennel master, 523rd Military Police Detachment Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, as Soldiers, Family members and friends gathered to bid farewell to MWD Pit during a memorial ceremony Aug. 12 at Camp Funston.

“Although officially classified as equipment, military working dogs have long been considered canine members of the armed forces,” he said. “They are treated just as much a part of the unit as a Soldier, which is why we honor military working dog Pit here today.” Pit began his career as a MWD at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where he was trained as a patrol and narcotics detection dog before coming to Fort Riley in 2005. During his seven-year career, Pit made contributions to Fort Riley by accomplishing 120 narcotics callouts and more than 75 finds. He also assisted military police in numerous apprehensions, according to the ceremony’s program notes.

Described as “a good old police dog” by Staff Sgt. Sam Finney, 523rd MP Co., 97th MP Bn., Pit’s mere presence on patrol served as a deterrent for wrongdoing. "The loss is pretty hard,” wrote Sgt. Ronald Steudle, 523rd MP Co., 97th MP Bn., inside the ceremony’s program. “Pit was a great dog. He was strong, tough and extremely good at his job. I will never forget Pit and the service he gave to this country.” A table adorned with a photo of Pit, battalion coin, Army Commendation Medal, leash, water dish, folded flag and urn served as a shrine to the dog who was always ready to “assist, protect and defend.”

“Pit will always be remembered as a dedicated and steadfast worker,” the program read. “He was eager to perform his duties and displayed his love of attention by lavishing affection on those he deemed worthy.” The ceremony included readings of “Guardians of the Night” and “A Working Dog’s Oath.” As volleys were fired, the sound of dogs barking in the nearby kennel punctuated the beginning notes of “Taps,” as if they, too, were saying goodbye to their friend. Pit passed away at the Fort Riley Veterinary Treatment Facility, six months shy of his 10th birthday.   submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 PACHO

2013
Handler: Police Chief Tim Bruckman 
Geneva-on-the-Lake police
44 N Forest St,
Geneva, OH ‎
 

Police department mourns Pacho

Pacho, the Geneva-on-the-Lake police dog, died suddenly of cancer. The police department is raising funds to purchase
 and train a new police dog as they mourn for Pacho.

It happened so fast. Village Police Chief Tim Bruckman’s canine partner, Pacho seemed to have the flu.
Pacho, a German Shepherd was wheezing a bit, but otherwise fine, and Bruckman decided to take the dog
 for a quick check up with the veterinarian.
A day later, Pacho died of terminal cancer. “It was one of the hardest things to go through,” Bruckman said,
 I spent  20 hours a day with Pacho – he went to work with me, he came home with me, he was a part of our family.
 He was with me all the time.”
Pacho’s sudden death leaves Bruckman without a canine officer for the first time in 15 years. The department is now raising
funds to purchase, train and certify another police dog. The total cost will be $10,000, and the department needs
another $5,000, Bruckman said. The Geneva Eagles Aerie recently donated $1,500 toward the cost.
 “The fees cover the breeding, training and certification for the dog,” he said. “The new dog will spend six to eight
 weeks with a master trainer.” Continuing the GOTL tradition, Bruckman said he will purchase another
 German Shepherd for the department. “I like the temperament of the German Shepherds,” he said. “Departments
 use all sorts of breeds for canine officers, but I think the German Shepherds fit well with my personality.
Bruckman said he has always been interested in training and using canine officers. “It was something I always wanted
 to do,” he said. “This dog will be my third dog following (canine officers) Max and Pacho. A canine officer
 is invaluable to our department. For the cost of it, you can’t get a better partner.”

Donations toward the  GOTL Canine Officer Fund can be made at the
 Geneva-on-the-Lake Safety Service Center
 or send to:
Geneva-on-the-Lake Police Department,
 4929 S. Warner Dr.
Geneva Ohio 44041

submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA


 In Loving Memory of
K9 PENNY

 ? 1/10/13
 
Handler: Constable Atul Prajapati
Surat Police Department
INDIA 

Sniffer dog Penny dies after brief illness
 Penny was a dog, but not an ordinary one by any standards. It had helped police find many bombs and thus had protected the diamond city from several terrorist attacks. For six years, it was the only sniffer dog with the police and thus had a heavy workload on its shoulders. But this female dog of Surat police did not let down anyone except on Friday when it died after a brief illness. Penny, a Doberman, was nine years and six months old. It was working for the police since 2004. Penny was buried at Piplod on Tapi riverbank.

Penny identified a bomb planted in Nanpura in July 2004. The bomb had been planted in a thick book. It also found explosives in a WagonR car parked near a hospital in Punagam in July, 2008. At least 29 bombs had been recovered from the city in July 2008. Penny and its handler head constable Atul Prajapati were awarded Rs 10,000 by chief minister Narendra Modi for identifying the bomb-laden car. "Penny was an efficient dog and had worked continuously for hours with the police team to find bombs in 2008. This had helped us save many lives," Atul Prajapati said. Between 2004 and 2012 for most of the period, Penny was the only sniffer dog in south Gujarat.

 

It attended as many as 60 calls per year. A pet dog in a house lives for around 12 years, but those in service die early. Penny had fever and was taken for medical examination in Navsari on Tuesday. Its blood test revealed that the haemoglobin percentage had dropped to 4.8 when it should have been 10. On Thursday, it was two per cent. "Penny will be remembered as a dog which stood by the side of the city during crisis. It was focused and always delivered results under pressure," Prajapati said. Surat police dog squad now has two females and one male dog.  submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA