memorial2001

Memorials to Fallen K-9s

2003 page 28 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 MAKO August 2, 2003

Partner: Deputy Matt Fiske Livingston Parish Sheriff's Dept. Louisiana PH: 225 686 2241 address: p.o. box 850 Livingston, LA 70754 sent cards with .gif 9/17/03

No action taken against deputy in K-9's death By VICKI FERSTEL - - Suburban writer - The Advocate Livingston Parish Sheriff Willie Graves said Tuesday he has taken no disciplinary action against the deputy responsible for the death of a Sheriff's Office K-9 dog. Mako, a 4-year-old Belgian malinois, died of heat exhaustion Aug. 2 after Deputy Matt Fiske unintentionally left the dog in his unit for 12 hours during the day. "I was satisfied that he did nothing criminally wrong and there was no gross negligence," Graves said of Fiske, who has worked with the Sheriff's Office for six years as a full-time deputy and four years as a reserve officer. "It was just a tragic accident that no one regrets more than him," the sheriff said. "He was devastated. Still is." Graves said Fiske was nearing the end of his shift at 6 a.m. when he took Mako, a male, to a school near his Walker home for some exercise. Fiske and Mako got back into the unit for the short drive to his home on Walker South Road, but Fiske still had 10 minutes left on his shift, Graves said. Normally, Fiske would have taken Mako to the kennel at his home, where he also houses Rudy, a retired canine in his care. Then, he would have fed both dogs, Graves said. On this morning, though, Fiske kept his unit running and kept Mako in the unit, just in case he was called out before the end of his shift, the sheriff said. Fiske then fed Rudy, a 9-year-old male Belgian malinois. After Fiske's shift ended, he went back to the unit to turn off the ignition. "At that point, he was thinking, 'I've kenneled my dog up,' " Graves said. Fiske didn't notice Mako was still in the portable kennel in the part of the car where the back seat is normally located. The dog normally remained quiet when he was in the car, Fiske said Tuesday. Fiske said when he went back on duty 12 hours later, he discovered Mako, now dead, in the unit that still bears Mako's name painted on the side. Graves said his officers investigated the incident. A veterinarian confirmed the cause of death. "I feel horrible about it," Fiske said. Fiske said he has been working with canines for four years and with Mako for six months. "Trust me, I would never intentionally leave a dog in the car," he said. Graves said he has not yet decided if he will replace Mako, who cost at least $7,000, not counting the training and upkeep. The sheriff said he was unsure if the dog was covered by insurance. The Sheriff's Office has three other K-9s working under the supervision and care of three other deputies.

Submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir, CPWDA

In Loving Memory of K-9 FARO LODD - Badge # K-107 August 22, 2003

Partner: Officer Jerry Nowell Norfolk Police Dept. Police Administration Building = K9 unit 6101 S. Cape Henry Ave. Norfolk, Va. 23502 Jimmy Cochran sent 200 over-night Wed. 8/27

Faro and his handler, Officer Jerry L. Nowell, Jr. Officer Nowell has been with NPD since 1990. He and Faro were assigned to the K-9 Corps in June, 2001, at which time they became partners. Faro was four years old at the time of his death; his K-9 number was K-107. Wanted to make you aware that we lost a K9 dog last night, August 22, 2003. Myself and Officer Jerry Nowell resonded to a robbery in progress behind an apartment house at 0430am. We caught the robbery in progress and the suspects ran from us. Officer Nowell released his dog, FARO, who chased the suspect and bit him in the ankle. Suspect shot FARO in the chest, killing him. Nowell returned fire striking suspect in the foot. I released my dog, Jaymo, who bit suspect in the arm and leg area, at which point the suspect threw a gun. FARO died instantly. I will get further info, so that we can add FARO to your site. submitted by: Officer Jim Losee. Norfolk, VA P.D. & J.Cortina, CPWDA

Norfolk police dog killed while halting robbery suspect The Virginian-Pilot © August 24, 2003 Police officers are mourning the loss of one of their own today. Faro, a German shepherd who worked for the department for two and a half years, was fatally wounded early Saturday morning as he attempted to nab an armed robber. Faro was one of two dogs trained as police service animals to respond to an armed robbery in the 9300 block of 1st View St. around 4:30 a.m. As police units approached the scene, at least two suspects fled. One, Patrick Marcel Davis, was halted by Faro, police said. Davis pulled a gun out of his pocket and shot Faro, who died at the scene, said Maravia Ebong, a police spokeswoman. Officers arrested Davis, 25, who faces charges of robbery, abduction, killing a police service animal, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Homicide and robbery units are still investigating the case. Anyone with any information is asked to call 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

update:Man Gets 39 Years for Robbery, Killing Police Dog

Norfolk, VA - 4/3/2004 - The Virginian-Pilot
A judge Friday imposed a 39-year sentence on a man who shot and killed a police dog last year. A jury had recommended 49 years in prison for Patrick Marcel Davis, 26, for killing police dog Faro on Aug. 23, as well as for robbery, abduction and weapons charges. The shooting of the dog happened while police were responding to a call about a robbery in progress.Two other men were charged in the robbery. They are James Davis, 25, and Jermaine D. Fulford, 23. The Davises are not related. James Davis pleaded guilty in February to robbery, abduction and weapons charges. He is to be sentenced in May. Fulford pleaded guilty in February to being an accessory and was sentenced to 10 months in jail.

Faro was shot to death last Friday while apprehending a robbery suspect. Photo by HYUNSOO LEO KIM / THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT By MATTHEW ROY, The Virginian-Pilot - © August 30, 2003 An American flag draped the small white coffin. Police officers stood stiffly in a solemn tribute under towering pines. Flower arrangements adorned the open grave -- some with bone-shaped dog biscuits attached. Faro, a Norfolk police dog shot to death while apprehending a robbery suspect last weekend, was laid to rest Friday in a pet cemetery in Virginia Beach. His send-off drew attention to the region's working police canines, trained to waylay suspects, protect police officers, search for people and, in some cases, sniff out contraband or bombs. It also highlighted the strong bonds between police and the dogs they handle, which officers take home to their families after shifts on the streets. Early last Saturday, Faro was killed doing his job. Police gave this account of the incident: The 4-year-old German shepherd was one of two police dogs who responded with officers to an armed-robbery call in the 9300 block of 1st View St. around 4:30 a.m. Robbers had forced a man to the ground at gunpoint. At least two suspects fled as police approached. Faro stopped a man, Patrick Marcel Davis, 25, as he attempted to get into a vehicle. Davis pulled a gun from a pocket and shot the dog. Faro's handler, Officer Jerry L. Nowell Jr., ordered Davis to drop his weapon, but he did not. Nowell fired, striking Davis in the foot. Another police canine ``engaged'' the man, who fell to the ground and tossed his gun to the curb. Officers arrested Davis, who faces charges of killing a police service animal, robbery, abduction and weapons counts.

Faro and handler Officer Jerry L. Nowell Jr. Photo courtesy of Jerry L. Nowell Jr. Faro's funeral service began at the police K-9 Training Range near Norfolk International Airport. More than 30 police dogs, some from agencies around the state, sat in three rows with their handlers. Police from as far away as Roanoke attended, as did civilians. Top police officials praised Faro and his comrades. Norfolk's canines work for mere love and praise and, in return, give their all, said Lt. Wally Driskell. ``These dogs stand for everything that is good and loyal,'' he said. Acting Chief Shelton L. Darden lauded Faro as a hero. A bagpiper played ``Amazing Grace,'' and more than a few in the audience sniffled. A police motorcycle escort led the mourners in a procession to Garden of the Pines pet cemetery in Virginia Beach for graveside honors. Faro was buried next to Lobo, a police dog killed in the line of duty by a car in 1983, and Iron, shot while pursuing a suspect in 1997.

K-9 officers place the casket of Faro while other officers salute during memorial service Friday. Photo by Hyunsoo Leo Kim / The Virginian-Pilot. An honor guard fired ceremonial rounds near the grave. More prayers were offered. Nowell accepted the flag from the coffin from members of an honor guard. Two buglers played taps. Officers shook Nowell's hand afterward. Faro's death was tough on his handler, other officers said. ``He said the hard part is when he goes home and sees the empty kennel in the backyard,'' Driskell said. ``That's when it occurs to him that Faro's not coming home.''

In Loving Memory of K-9 MAX - SAR July 26, 2003 waiting for photo and date Jasmin Fraleigh, AIETecRI Interstate Urban Search & Rescue - President Fort Smith, Arkansas still waiting for photo 9/17/03

I recently lost my partner and best friend, Max. He was a 5-year-old German Sheperd and he was absolutely incredible. Yes, he and I worked the World Trade Center site right after the disaster. To get a decent (sort of) picture of him you can check the web under my name and you will see what a beautiful dog he was. Unfortunately cancer was his killer. Several vets have told me that they felt his (our) duty at the WTC may have played a major part in his illness. Do I regret taking him - no. Max loved his work and enjoyed being able to help in whatever small capacity we could. Max truly made me a better person and I miss him terribly. I have other dogs that I have trained (and am still training) for the same type of work but Max was very special - I will never forget him and I truly believe that when my time comes if he would meet me on the Rainbow Bridge than I will truly be in heaven. Thank you for your time and keep up the incredibly great work that you are doing.

update: my other German Shepherd (Chief), who is only 14 months old, has really taken off! By that I mean that he has suddenly grown up and has stepped into the role of working dog with a flair and with true love of the work. Before he was always hesitant, not now - he takes command of his work and does it with real enjoyment. I know that Max would have been proud -- I certainly am. Thank you again, Jasmin.

In Loving Memory of K-9 MARKO August 24, 2003

Partner: Deputy Glenn Emery Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. Special Enforcement Bureau 130 S. Fetterly Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90022 ph: 323 264-7084

Parolee, Police Dog Killed August 26, 2003 By Jose Cardenas, LA Times Staff Writer The first sheriff's canine to die in the line of duty is accidentally shot as deputies confront man. Sheriff's deputies responding to a family disturbance call in Willowbrook shot and killed a 24-year-old parolee when he reportedly whirled around with what appeared to be a weapon, authorities said Monday. They also accidentally killed a police dog that was trying to subdue the man when he turned. Deputies from the Century station were called to a house in the 2400 block of 126th Street just after 9 p.m. Sunday. But the suspect, Deandre Brunston, had left that house and barricaded himself on the porch of a nearby home, deputies said. He told the deputies that he had a gun and threatened to kill them, authorities said. Deputy Glenn Emery, 34, released his dog, Marko, a 9-year-old Belgian malinois. The dog was trying to control Brunston when he spun toward them, authorities said. What they thought was a weapon turned out to be a black sandal with a silver buckle. Brunston, who also had an outstanding arrest warrant for narcotics, died at the scene. The dog, shot in the head, was airlifted to a veterinary hospital in Norwalk, where it died. It was the first Sheriff's Department dog killed in the line of duty, authorities said. Marko and Emery, a 14-year veteran of the department, were one of 12 teams in the department's Canine Services Detail, said Lt. Patrick Maxwell. They had been together for six years.

There are no services planned as of yet. I will keep you posted. Denise Shadinger submitted by J.R. Perez

Continue to Page 29 of 2003 K-9 Memorials Return to K-9 Data Return to Page 27 of 2003 Memorials

Return to K9 DATA Index