 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s
2000-G
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
K-9 GRINGO
August 1, 1988 - Oct. 24,
2000
Handler: Officer Daniel
Smith &
Officer Kevin Retzer
RINGO VON WERNBERG KOBLITZ SCH I
Born in Germany - August 1,
1988----Arrived - Cheektowaga July 1991.
Cheektowaga Police Department
Chief of
Police Christine M Ziemba, 3223 Union Rd,
Cheektowaga, New York 14227 (716)686-3510
"He was the
best partner that I ever had."
quoted Daniel
Smith, K-9 Officer, Cheektowaga Police Department,
Gringo's memorial service
Jan. 26, 2001
Area K-9 units
were on hand for ceremony to honor fallen police dog,
Gring von Wernbert-Koblitz Schulz Hund,
who served 6 years with the force.
|
From left: Amherst Police Officer
Dave Starke & RAZOR, K-9 Training Assis. Kevin Retzer & Gringo’s
daughter, ROSE, Niagara Frontier Trans. Authority Officer Kevin
Koscielniak & CODY, West Seneca Police Officer Bart Adams and MAX,
Orchard Park Police Officer Bob Schultz, Erie County Sheriff Butch
Hudson and LARS, Town Chief of Police Bruce D. Chamberlin.
|
The Cheektowaga
Police Department regrets to announce the passing of retired K-9 dog,
Gringo on October 24th, 2000. He was 12 years old. Gringo served over 6
years with the department. He was noted for his apprehension of
criminals involved in drug activity in our town as well as his
assistance to other agencies in Western New York. Gringo von
Wernbert-Koblitz Schutlz Hund I (Gringo for short) started his career in
law enforcement in June of 1991. He was a pure German Shepherd, raised
and trained in Germany before he was imported to America. He received
further training in drug detection at the Amsel Kennels owned by Owen
Tober. Gringo earned the distinction of an internationally certified
narcotics specialist, a ranking that is recognized anywhere in the
United States as well as 40 countries around the world. He was the only
police dog in New York State to pass the qualification test in 1992.
Officer Daniel Smith and Gringo performed numerous K-9 demonstrations
for community groups showcasing Gringo's skills at drug detection. They
also participated in the advanced K-9 Patrol and Narcotics Dog Handler
Seminar as guest instructors for drug dogs nationwide. Throughout his
career, Gringo assisted in numerous arrests and recovered over five
million dollars worth of narcotics. He will be greatly missed by his
handler, Officer Daniel Smith as well as the officers of the Cheektowaga
Police Department. Breton, the departments current dog, is carrying on
the high standards set by his predecessor, Gringo.
Gringo
died of old age, October 24, 2000. It took us some time to get a stone
and plaque made for him. He was cremated by our dog warden and one of
our retired lieutenant, who is a wood-worker, made a casket for him.
Gringo's handler was Police Officer Daniel Smith. Gringo was special
because not only was he a great drug dog. He apprehended a number of
fleeing felons, but he also was great with people and kids. Kids could
climb all over him. Memorial service for Gringo will be held on Friday,
January 26, 2001, at 9 AM, in the front of our police station. He will
be buried near our police memorial in front of the station. We have a
volunteer to play taps from a VFW post. The Chief and the Town
Supervisor will say a few words along with myself. Neighboring K-9s
and officers will be present and file by the casket. The prayer
concluded the service, & poem, "The Time Has Come" The donation of cards
from the F.A.S.T. Co. have Gringo's picture and Guardians Of The
Night poem on the back.
(Cheektowaga is a
suburb of Buffalo,
between Lake Huron
& Lake Erie.)
Officer
Daniel Smith welcomed new partner, "Breston"
since Gringo
retired. Gringo was lucky to have 2 families. After retirement Gringo
joined "Chew Toy", AKA; Kevin Retzer, and his family, & their two pets.
He is missed by many.
Take care of
Breston. Officer Dan Smith & K-9 BRESTON
Gringo is also
dearly missed by Kevin Retzer and his family who were there to care for
him at the end of his life. Gringo is the father of K-9 Rose, who is
Kevin's K-9 Partner. Kevin wrote:
"I put Gringo to
sleep. Gringo died in my arms after I realized he was living for me. He
had multiply health problems. One of the meds he was taking for
Arthritis became toxic in his system and shut his Liver down. He was in
extreme pain. I made the decision I knew he wanted me to make. It was
very hard to do, but it was the right thing to do. I was blessed in that
I was able to say good bye before hand. I also let a lot of other people
who loved him have the opportunity to say good bye. By the way he has a
resting spot in front of the station."
|
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 GREIF
March 28, 2000
Handler: Cpl.
Jerry Wright
Berkeley County
Sheriff Office
Moncks
Corner SC
Chief
Jerry Wright
Bonneau,
SC Police Department
843.825.2577
On March 28, 2000 Berkeley County
Sheriffs Office in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, mourn the
death of it's first and oldest K-9. K-9 Greif died of
cancer. Everyone, along with Greif's handler and best
friend, Cpl. Jerry Wright will miss Greif and are thankful
for the years of continuous service, loyalty and love Grief
gave us. Greif was a fellow officer and a member of the
Thin Blue Line.
*********
Greif
came from Europe. Greif was the Berkeley County Sheriff's
Office first dual purpose K9. He was imported from Europe
through Advanced Canine in Bowling Green Kentucky. Greif had
more than 2 million dollars worth of narcotics and narcotics
related seizures. He also had numerous tracks where he
found wanted felons, missing children and Alzheimer
patients.
Greif
was as comfortable 'out' with the family as he was at work.
I was fond of saying that I would have been out of a job if
Greif had thumbs. He would have been able to drive himself
around and wouldn't need me as his driver to get to the
action. He is and will always be missed. |
|
|