 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s
2001 page 13 F.A.S.T.
Co. donates cards to all partners
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PLEASE feel free to send condolences to officers with P.D. addresses below.
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K-9 "SABRE" April 13, 1995 - August 15, 2001  Partner/Handler Sgt. Rod Smith Tukwila Police Department 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 206-433-1818  E-email from Sgt. Smith with information to the right. Cards priority mailed 9/11/01 Hopes this will help bring closure. Cards were received. |
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K-9 "AJAX" Oct. 31, 1995 September 9, 2001  Partner: Officer Phillip L. Howell Put-in-Bay, Ohio Police Dept. P.O. Box 268 Put-In-Bay, Ohio 43456-0401 419-285.4121 His badge number was #905. He was born in Germany in 1995, October 31st. He was trained in criminal apprehension, narcotics, tracking. and article search. Phil Howell (936) .  Service Sept. 12, 2001 Photo cards mailed 9/11/01 ground priority, no planes available due to the Twin Towers tragedy. Would arrive too late for service. With the tragedy of WTC & Pentagon, have not heard or expect to hear soon from Officer Howell.
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Friday, September 14, 2001 By BRENDA M. CULLER wrote the article which first appeared in the Sandusky Register Friday Sept. 14, 2001. brendaculler@sanduskyregister.com A trumpeter's "Taps." Blasts from the American Legion's 18-gun salute. A bagpiper's "Amazing Grace" -- all aimlessly drifting into the wind. It is a scene that, in light of national activities, will be replayed thousands of times over the next few weeks. But for the close-knit Put-in-Bay island community, Thursday morning's memorial service was a time to remember one of their own -- Officer 905 -- "A very special dog who thought he was king." Ajax, a 5-year-old German shepherd, was Put-in-Bay's first canine cop. "This is a tribute toward Ajax and all of the lost canines and officers throughout the U.S. and especially the tragedy we had in New York City Tuesday. It is a sad day for us." said Put-in-Bay Police Chief Jim Lang. "Today, the village has lost a valuable asset to law enforcement and a loyal friend," said Father Jeff Nordhaus, from Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. Ajax died Sunday. "The tragedies of this week are unbelievable," said Put-in-Bay Mayor John Blatt. Few, if any, of the 150 or more police officers, emergency medical personnel, island residents and passersby in attendance had dry eyes. Six police dogs, heeled at their handlers' sides, barked with the saluting guns. When Ajax's memorial was planned Monday, more than 300 officers were expected. Many canceled as their services were needed for security at airports, power plants, and elsewhere across Northwest Ohio. "A lot of the island children thought of Ajax as their friend. (But) the saddest part is that Ajax would have been able to serve four to five more years on the islands as an active narcotics certified police dog," said Maj. Robert McDowell Jr. from the Huron County Sheriff's Department. McDowell, owner of M&M Canine Boarding Kennel, helps officers from across the country train police canines. McDowell helped Howell get Ajax, "a narcotics tracking machine." "Phil worked his heart out training with Ajax all last winter getting prepared for what he would face on Put-in-Bay this summer," McDowelll said. Ajax served from Memorial Day weekend through evening duties Sept. 7., tallying more than 65 narcotic arrests during that time, Howell said. Those arrests included drugs ranging from LSD and cocaine to marijuana, ecstasy and oxycontin. Ajax also helped the Ohio Department of Watercraft seize a boat with drugs and check incoming ferries and planes from Canada's Pelee Island, Howell said. Island officials said they are looking to find another canine narcotics dog to help patrol the island. McDowell said if Howell can obtain a dog within the next few months, the dog can easily be ready for patrol at the beginning of Put-in-Bay's 2002 summer season. Ajax will be laid to rest near Oak Harbor, Howell said. Special thanks to: Brenda Cullen reporter & Tim Fleck, photographer, and their paper, Sandusky Register for contributing to this memorial. Nov.14, 2001 Alex takes over the Put-in-Bay beat of Ajax, died Sept. 9,2001 For about an hour, three-year-old Alex sat quietly on the floor, legs crossed with gentlemanly poise. But when it was time to play, the pure-bred German shepherd bared his sizable teeth and attacked his "hidden-ball box" like a whirlwind, ultimately shattering the Plexiglas window to get to the ball -- something most dogs never do. "He's got good ball drive. He's obsessed with the ball," said Huron County Sheriff's Office investigator Robert W. McDowell Jr. "If a dog has good ball drive, they will make good drug dogs." Training centers around Alex's enthusiasm at playing ball, McDowell said. When Put-in-Bay Police Officer Philip Howell plays ball with Alex, the dog learns the ball is his toy. Later in the training, the ball will be put away while Alex watches. Alex learns that by pawing, digging, scratching and barking at the barrier separating him from his toy, Howell will reward Alex by getting the ball and playing with the dog. After this is mastered -- Alex is a quick learner, Howell said -- the ball is hidden with marijuana and the dog learns to associate the drug's scent with his toy. "We start with marijuana because it is the drug with the strongest odor," McDowell said. McDowell, owner of M&M Canine Boarding Kennel, trains dogs in narcotics detection and tracking. He is helping Howell train Alex to be South Bass Island's next K-9 officer. "He's like a vacuum cleaner with his nose down on the ground tracking a scent," Howell said. Alex replaces Officer 905 Ajax, who died Sept. 9 after becoming ill during a drug bust Labor Day weekend. Ajax was so well-liked by island businesses and residents for his drug-busting and safety services they donated around $5,000 for Howell to purchase and transport Alex from his home in the former Czechoslovakia, Howell said. He arrived in the United States Oct. 19. Island residents expect Alex to take up where Ajax left off, especially during tourist season. "Ajax made a serious impact on the drug habits of summer visitors (with more than 63 arrests in four months) and I anticipate that by next summer, Alex will be fully trained and ready to go," said Mayor John Blatt. Alex's training began in his native country, and he brought to the U.S. a working knowledge of suspect apprehension, tracking and off-leash obedience, McDowell said. This means it will only take about one month for Alex to train with Howell, and for Howell to acclimate himself to giving commands in Czech for Alex to become a certified police dog in Ohio. Howell and McDowell said it will take 60 days of intense training for Alex to become state-certified in narcotics detection. Police dogs in Ohio have to be certified every two years but the dogs must be practice their skills on almost a daily basis to perform best. Alex's temperament also fits the people-friendly attitude that is a must on the island. "It is a must that a dog on Put-in-Bay is non-aggressive around people because thousands of people are walking around the island everyday who may walk up to Alex and pet him," McDowell said. "But if Phil tells Alex the right command, he will light up like a firecracker." |
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K-9 "DUTCH" September 13, 2001  Partner: Officer David Sawlaw Rantoul Police Dept. IL 109 E. Grove Avenue Rantoul, IL 61866 217.892.2103 Officer Jim Sullivan is handling arrangements. Cards mailed 9/19/01 overnight priority. Yes, they made it in time. Thank You very much for your hard work. Everyone loved them. We made a trip to Texas on Friday-Saturday to look for Dave a new dog. We found one in Springfield, Illinois. So Dave has a new partner to train. I think it is helping him get through this. Thanks again. Jim |
Memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001 . Chief requesting police dog successor Rantoul's police chief has asked the village for money to get a new police dog to replace Dutch, a beloved dog that died in the line of duty Thursday night. Black ribbons draped the walls of the Rantoul Police Department on Monday to honor Dutch, a dog that assisted with 957 drug arrests, tracked down 27 suspects, and helped with the seizure of more than $150,000 in cash and 23 vehicles over the last six years, according to police records. Dutch died late Thursday when Rantoul police responded to a burglary in progress at White Hall, 801 Commerce Drive. White Hall had been the largest building owned by the military until the construction of the Pentagon. According to a police report, officers from Rantoul, Ludlow, Thomasboro, Fisher and Gifford helped to secure the 500,000-square-foot building while a canine team searched for the intruders. During a search of the three-story building, Dutch gave chase to apparent intruders on the roof before he fell into an open courtyard inside the building. On Monday, Police Chief Paul Dollins said he will ask the village board to spend up to $6,000 to buy a new police dog. Mayor Neal Williams said he wholeheartedly supports Dollins' request and would put it on the agenda for the Oct. 2 village board meeting. Dollins said he would give Officer David Sawlaw, who was Dutch's handler, full discretion in choosing a new police dog. "He's going to have to live with the dog and work with the dog, so he should have the most expertise as to the kind of dog that would be best," said Dollins. Rantoul has a second police dog named Rocket that works with Officer Jim Sullivan |
