memorial2001

Memorials to Fallen K-9s

2003 page 11
The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of 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
K-9 GUNNER
March 21, 2003

Partner: Sgt. Timothy Shea
Waterbury Police Dept. CT
236 Grand St.
Waterbury, CT 06708
TJShea@snet.net

I would like to take a moment to thank all of for your kind e-mails. This are very difficult times we are all living in and working in. When one of our own is hurt or killed it hits us all hard. Weather it be a close friend, someone we work with or maybe someone we have never met but chose to take up the challenge of wearing the uniform. Those who worked with or trained with Gunner knew the level of respect and acceptance that had transformed Gunner and myself into what I felt was an excellent working team. I don't want to name names (Scribner, Holland, Nott, Calvello, Robinson, all the WTBY. guys and a cast of other characters) but those people who worked and trained with Gunner had respect for him. I know I did after that third trip to the E.R. If you can indulge me a moment I would like to tell a few funny stories about Gunner. There was a time that I was called out on a nice sunny Sat. Gunner of course was ready to go anything to get out the house and into a cruiser. The vice squad had picked up a guy during the night who was suspected of large marijuana sales.

cards mailed.....May wonderful card recd. from TIM
notified by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir.

They had a warrant for the house but could only find a joint in an ash tray the suspect said would be there. When I came in with Gunner (off lead) it was funny to see the vice guys stick to the wall motionless. Gunner immediately went to a walk in closet in the master bedroom. The vice guys said "we checked in there its clean "but Gunner pressed on. He came out with a teddy bear about 3' high, I sent him back he returned with several packages of unopened under garments I sent him back in. He was hitting in the same spot so I told him in handler terms he understood to cut the crap.
I sent him back in and a moment later he emerged with a large bag of pot. Gunner feeling he had done his job and not receiving his chew toy promptly headed for the front door. I of course was still just standing there looking at that big bag of pot. yelled at one of the detectives to close the front door but they wouldn't move near Gunner.He decided enough was enough and exited to rest in the car but the door was closed. Gunner trotted off down the street with over a pound and a half of pot in his mouth. I was trying not to laugh because the vice guys were yelling to get the stuff. I called out to Gunner who made a prompt return and dropped the pot outside the car door. When all was said and done evidence was found to prove this guy had moved several hundred pounds of pot in only a few months. I wonder how his Memorial Day weekend will be seeing he is still a guest of the state. Well I guess one story is enough because we all have them and they are all special because it was our partners who accomplished them. Unfortunately Gunner was forced to retire due to my promotion a few years back as it appears the same may be done to me in the not so distant future. This is because of several on the job injuries to my dominant arm and hand. was very much looking forward to spending time again with my partner. Now my rear seat is empty and a lead hangs from a door handle empty at each end. Gunner can no longer feel pain and is among his piers awaiting the return of his handler, partner and friend. His ashes adorn my mantle with a picture of he and I in better days. I would like to send my deepest sympathy to Frank H. and Todd R. I feel your pain and my thoughts are with you and your partners.
Thank you all for taking the time to read my thoughts sorry they were to long. God bless each and everyone of you, stay safe and loyal and honest to yourselves and partners. When it comes down to the tough times that's who you can count on. With all my thanks, Sgt. T.J. Shea WTBY. P.D.
Semper Fi

In Loving Memory of
K-9 NERO USAF
LODD

Kuwait
April 1, 2003 (Kuwait time)

Partner: SSgt. Kelly Bales

I have some information on the Military Working Dog Nero you have posted on your site. I was the Kennel Master in Kuwait incharge of the dogs. Nero and his handler worked for me for 3 months. I just wanted to fill in some missing information: Nero Die on 1 April 2003 Kuwaiti time. Kuwait is about 7 hours ahead of the east coast. The handler of Nero was SSgt Kelly Bales. The team was deployed to Kuwait from Tinker AFB, OK. I have provided a picture of a filed cross we put out in front of the kennel. There is a K9 Nero tribute on my organizations web page. www.scwda.org
If you have any other questions please feel free to email.
Jason Campbell

It is with sympathy, I announce the passing of one of our own on April 1st. Although a K-9, I've have the opportunity to see NERO in action many times at the search pit. His main job was to provide early detection on explosives in the event the 'bad' guy attempted to bring onto the compound. Nero
searched many people, equipment and vehicles while assigned her. In just two months, he and his partner would have transferred to South Korea for another tour. NERO was working at Kuwait City International Airport, the major land port where airplanes bring troops and equipment into the country. He wasn't feeling good and they rushed him to Camp Doha where the local vet works. After several hours of emergency surgery, they were unable to save NERO.
The cause of death was bloat. His spleen knotted up. After further review, the vet found cancer had struck and all were amazed he was still working. This just goes to show how hard these dogs work for their country and will work till the end.

You know there is some history to the name NERO. A dog named NERO on Christmas Eve, 1966 while working post with his handler alerted and they sounded the alarm to help stop an infiltration of Tan Sa Nut AB during the Vietnam War. NERO was wounded along with his handler. NERO was brought back to the States and used for the recruiting of dogs. He lost his eye.
Kuwait City, Kuwait

In Loving Memory of
K-9 ISO
February 24, 2003

Partner: Detective Billy Jones
Belton, MO Police
Detective Unit
7001 E. 163rd Street - Belton MO 64012
816.331.5522 Fax 816.322.7057

GREAT NEWS! The Discovery Channel's Animal Planet was out at the sanctuary during November 2000 filming a story on Home For Life®! The basis for the story is a retired police dog named Iso. He is from Belton, MO Police Detective Unit. The police detective, who had been Iso's partner, was unable to keep Iso at his home after the dog's retirement because he was barking and disturbing the neighbors. Detective Jones believed that Iso was bored and frustrated with nothing to do all day after his career of 10 years with the police force. Because of Iso's age (12 years) and his specialized training as a police dog, he was not suitable for adoption. We are excited to have him come to live at Home For Life® where iso will have a new role as the greeter/guard of the new Feline Isolation Habitat building. We believe that it is good for a dog like Iso to have a job to do that will make him feel he is still worthwhile and important. Animal Planet plans to air the show sometime this Winter or early Spring!

K-9 Iso interviewed for Animal Planet on TV 2001
Detective Billy Jones, Iso's partner on the Belton, MO Police Force, introduces Iso to Lisa Micallef,
Home For Life® Executive Director

Since "Iso's Good-bye" debuted on the show "A Pet Story" on June 1, 2001, people all over the country who saw the program have written and emailed to see how Iso, the star, is faring. Iso continues to thrive. The show has been rebroadcast a number of times through subsequent seasons, never failing to touch and inspire viewers who saw Iso find a loving home for his retirement years after a lifetime of service as a police dog in Missouri.
submitted by Kelly G.

In Loving Memory of
K-9 DIXIE
April, 2003

Partner: Officer Jeff Gore
Loris Police Department
3951 Walnut St. - Loris, SC 29569
843-756.4000
Herbert Blake, Chief of Police

Officer Jeff Gore is a Horry County Native. He and Dixie, a black lab form our K-9 unit. Jeff started with the department as a reserve officer. Loris Police Department K-9 Unit, Dixie a black lab was obtained, without any cost to the city in an effort to abate our drug problem, thanks to the Mayesville Police Department and Chief McCombs. He now helps coordinate our reserve officer program. Dixie recently passed away of natural causes.

MORE ABOUT DIXIE
The sight of a black labrador, named "Dixie," riding around the city in a police car, will become normal for Loris citizens in the next few weeks. Dixie is the latest addition to the Loris Police Department and is "as much of a police officer as I am", according to her handler, Officer Jeff Gore.

submitted by Dusty Simon
cards mailed May.

"One of the things many citizens expressed in the surveys that were returned to us was the desire for the Loris Police Department to stop the open drug dealing that was taking place on some of our streets," said Loris Police Chief Herbert Blake. Dixie is going to be one of our main weapons." Blake contacted the police chief of Maysville, S. C., Paul McCombs, to inquire about acquiring drug dog for the LPD. McCombs is a dog trainer, in addition to being a police chief, and he trains dogs at no charge for small police departments.
Dixie was acquired from a shelter and initially trained by McCombs. After her initial training was completed, Gore, who was a member of the police auxiliary and had indicated an interest in becoming a dog handler, was sent to train with Dixie. Gore and Dixie trained for three weeks, three hours per day, under McCombs direction. Gore was hired as a full time Loris police officer two weeks ago. He has been in public service for the past 15 years, first as a member of the Coast Guard, then as an EMS and fireman for Horry County.
Upon completion of their training, McCombs told Blake that the LPD "couldn't have a better man with a dog." "I have wanted to be a canine officer for a long time. I hope Dixie and I can make a difference in the community," said Gore.
Gore is quick to point out, "Dixie does all the work, I'm just the handler." The whole project of acquiring, training, and housing the dog has come at no cost to the city. McCombs provides trained dogs free of charge. Sun Mart provided the initial dog food and Bertie's is now providing food for the dog. Dr. Baumann, veterinarian at the Loris Animal Hospital, is providing routine preventive veterinary care for Dixie at no cost to the city. The dog lives with Gore. Dixie is trained in detecting drugs, handguns, and in tracking fugitives. She can also help in locating suspicious objects in the event of bomb threats. "We are very happy with the addition of the dog. We feel this helps us become more proactive in our efforts to fight drugs and other crimes in the city and to be responsive to the desires of our citizens," Blake said. "It is our desire for the Loris Police Department to become one of the best little police departments in the state. We are not going to be afraid to try new and different approaches in our efforts to make the city safe for law abiding citizens,"

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