In
Loving Memory of
K-9 CAESAR
October 24, 2002
Handler: A. L.
Crouse
Wilson
Police Department
120 N.
Goldsboro St. - P.O. Box 10
Wilson, North Carolina 27894-0010
Telephone: (252) 399-2323
Fax:
(252) 399-2346
Capt. Baggett
James Anthony
WINNER 2001 FIRST QUARTER PATROL
-
OFFICER
AL CROUSE AND K9 CAESAR WILSON NC
On February 6, 2001 while on routine patrol in the city of
Wilson, North Carolina at 2300 hours I was request to head
to Kenly, NC in reference to an armed robbery that just
occurred at an Exxon Service Station. A black male had
entered the Exxon station around 2245, waited for everyone
to leave and then approached the clerk at the register and
demanded all the money in the cash register. The suspect
never showed the clerk a gun but had his hand in his jacket
pocket like he had a gun. The clerk gave the suspect all the
money in the cash register and then he ran out the door. A
Kenly Police Officer who was close to the Exxon responded to
the area. While checking the area the Kenly Officer observed
a black male who met the description of the robbery suspect.
The black male observed the Kenly Officer and started to
run. The Kenly Officer started a foot chase with the
suspect. While running through a mobile home park the Kenly
Officer fell down, the suspect kept running. I arrived on
the scene around 2325 and Sgt. Parker showed me the place
the suspect was last scene. The last location the suspect
was last scene was crossing the road a Darden and Goldsboro
Street. I deployed K9 Caesar in the intersection. Caesar
located a scent and followed it through a car parking lot
heading west. Caesar crossed the parking lot and into a
wooded area. We went through the wooded area and up a small
hill coming out of the woods onto the northbound side of
I-95. Caesar continued following the scent across all four
lanes of I-95 and into another wooded area. We traveled
about two hundred yards through the wooded area, making a
turn heading south. K9 Caesar came out of the woods at the
on ramp to I-95. After casting a little bit Caesar continued
across the on ramp and off ramp of I-95, still heading
south. Caesar entered another wooded area, were we went
another three hundred yards before making another turn
heading west. In this wooded area I lost my hand held radio
although I did not know it yet. After making the turn, we
came cut of the wooded area and crossed Hwy. 301. Once
Caesar crossed the first lane and into the second lane he
made a small turn in the lane and headed north/west down the
road. We went about one hundred yards and Caesar made a hard
left turn down a dirt road heading south/east. Caesar
followed the scent down the dirt road for at least six
hundred yards coming to another wooded area. We went up a
small hill and entered the wooded area. Caesar went through
the wooded area for 200 hundred yards coming to a stream.
Caesar crossed the stream ana down a hill coming to some
railroad tracks at the tracks Caesar made a left turn
heading east down the middle of the tracks. Caesar went down
the tracks for about three hundred yards mate left turn and
went up a hill. Once on top of the hill Caesar made another
left turn and headed back the way we had just came. We went
almost to the location we had entered the wooded area and
Caesar made a right turn going back through the stream and
into the wooded area. Caesar came out of the wooded area
right around the dirt road. Caesar made a small turn heading
north/east across an open field. While in this field we lost
our second backup officer (the first one had gotten tired
and changed out with the second officer) We went about a
mile through the field until we came to a fence with
barbed-wire on it. As I was looking for crossing location I
could hear sticks breaking and dry leaves being stepped on.
I ordered who ever was making there to call out and give up,
I was a K-9 Officer and would send the K-9 unless they
showed themselves. The unknown noises grew louder, as if
someone was running. I to began to run down my side of the
fence attempting to locate a spot I could put my partner
over the fence. After about one hundred yards I could no
longer hear the noise from the other side of the fence. I
thought the suspect had lain down and was hiding. At this
point I was able to locate a location I was able to put my
partner over the fence. Caesar started to track and air
scent back the way we. had come. Caesar was pulling really
hard going through the wooded area and then began to bark
and the tracking lead went slack. Turning on my flashlight I
observed a black male lying in the leaves with his hands
under him. I ordered the suspect to show me his hands. The
suspect advised that he had the money and was sorry and. to
"please don't let that dog bite me." Johnson County deputies
who had been off in the area had seen my flashlight and with
a Officer Kenly had rushed through the wooded area and took
the culprit in custody without further incident. The subject
Caesar had tracked was the armed robbery suspect from Exxon
and $674.00 on him that was taken in the robbery. The
suspect had just been released from prison a week before for
armed robbery. I took K9 Caesar back to the wooded area
where I thought I had lost my hand held radio. I put Caesar
into the wooded area and did an article search for my radio.
Caesar was able to locate my radio without any trouble.
update:
Al is now working with Maximus and will train in January
2003
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 COSMO
May 27, 2002
Handler:
Officer
Greg Thomas
Gilbert Police
Department
Town of
Gilbert
1025 South Gilbert Road
Gilbert, Arizona 85296
(480) 503-6000
Former
Gilbert Police canine Cosmo passed away on
Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002.
She was
almost 11 years old. Cosmo was Gilbert’s first police dog
and started with the Department in 1993. Like our current
K-9s, Cosmo came to us directly from a police canine kennel
in Holland. She was less then 2 years old at the time. We
attended the Arizona Department of Corrections Canine
Academy. In April 1996, Cosmo and I were certified for
narcotics detection and patrol work. During our three years
together, Cosmo was integral to several large drug busts,
including a 1,500-pound seizure of marijuana on a traffic
stop during an assist to US Customs. Cosmo also made eleven
apprehensions of various fleeing felons during her career.
On one occasion, Cosmo located two burglars hiding in the
second story of a home. When confronted, the suspects
started to flee. I sent Cosmo on one suspect and she clamped
onto his leg. Seeing this, the other suspect jumped right
off the second story. I’m not sure who had the worse leg
injury, but they both limped to jail. Cosmo competed in
numerous K-9 competitions during our partnership. Cosmo won
5 trophies in 6 different trials in Phoenix, Tucson and Las
Vegas. In 1998, Cosmo won first place in tactical obedience
over some 50 dogs competing in the Phoenix Canine Trials. At
just under 9 years old, Cosmo developed an eye disease that
caused progressive blindness. This, in addition to a leg
injury during an apprehension, led to her eventual
retirement in May 1999.
Officer Greg Thomas and K-9 Otto
Officer Greg Thomas and K-9 Otto have been working together
since February 1999. Otto is a Belgian Malinois born July
1997 in Holland. Otto is the newest member of the K-9 Unit
and was assigned to Officer Thomas for training when K–9
Cosmo’s retirement grew imminent. Otto’s high-energy,
assertiveness, and persistence in searching out drugs made
him an easy choice for a career in police work.
K-9
UNIT HISTORY
The
Gilbert Police Department K-9 Unit was started in 1993 with
a grant from the Criminal Justice Enhancement Fund (CJEF).
The goal of the program at the time was to
reduce
Gilbert’s escalating trend of street crimes and drug use.
CJEF funds were accepted to purchase a narcotic detection /
patrol K-9. The first canine member of the
Gilbert Police Department came to us all the way from
Holland; a German Shepherd named "Cosmo!" After intense
training in drug detection, obedience, building searching,
and
tracking, Cosmo joined the fight to keep Gilbert safe. In
November 1996, Cosmo was injured during the apprehension of
a suspect after a vehicle pursuit. When the suspect
abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, Cosmo knocked the
suspect off his feet. The suspect landed on top of Cosmo
and ripped a rear tendon in the dog’s leg. Cosmo never gave
up, but never fully recovered from the injury and suffered a
permanent limp. In May 1999, Officer Thomas made the
difficult decision to retire Cosmo after she was diagnosed
with a degenerative eye disease. Cosmo worked for the
department for six years, making hundreds of arrests and
seizing over 2,000 pounds of illegal drugs. Cosmo also
competed in numerous K-9 trials throughout Arizona and won
many trophies. The Department let Officer Thomas keep Cosmo
and she is enjoying a relaxing retirement. Cosmo will
always be remembered as Gilbert’s first K-9. Farewell
Cosmo!!
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 Chelsea
June 1997 - August 2002
Handler:
Officer Bo Curry
Montgomery County
Police Headquarters
2350
Research Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20850
240 773.5000
Chelsea was half Lab and half Chesapeake Bay Retriever. She
loved the water, working and running.
She would retrieve anything you could throw. She also had a
really keen nose and was an explosive detection specialist.
Chelsea enjoyed swimming and playing after her job was done.
She
joined the K-9 unit in 1999. Chelsea developed
lymphoma in June of 2001. She continued treatment
until complications set in August 2002.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 CHAS
June 10, 2002
Handler:
Officer Edward
Potanovic
Yonkers Police
Department
730 E.
Grassy Sprain Rd.
Yonkers, NY 10710 ph:
914 377
7388
"On June 1, 2002, my partner (Police Officer Edward
Potanovic's partner) Chas was diagnosed with cancer. He was
placed off duty but spent his remaining days by my side. On
June 10, 2002 Chas succumbed to his illness. He will be
sorely missed by my family , but more so by me, his partner,
the members of the K-9 Unit and the entire department. Chas
was donated to the Yonkers Police Department in June of 1995
by the late Marty Walshin. He was named after the Police
Commissioner's father, the late Charles Cola Sr. Chas and I
served as a K-9 team and provided the City of Yonkers with
seven years of faithful service. The teamwork was a valuable
asset to the Yonkers Police Department. In 1998 P.O.
Potanovic and Chas enter the prestigious U.S. Police Canine
Association Trials in Warwick, New York.
Chas
won 1st place overall and took home 6 trophies that year.
During his career Chas made many arrests most of which
were felonies. He was responsible for the apprehension of
25 burglars and won accolades for the capture of a day-time
burglar wanted for over 20 entries throughout the city. Chas
recovered over $5,000 from a bank robbery. He was also
personally responsible for removing several guns from the
streets. In addition to being a valuable asset,
Chas
was a great canine and a best friend."
"Chas, we will never forget you,
and
thank you for being part of our family.
Love Daddy, Mommy Ashley and little Eddie"
(Thanks
LuLu)
On July
6, 2001, the Canine Unit graduated a Narcotics Detection
class. Graduates were P.O. Edward Potanovic and K-9 Chas,
P.O. Christopher Barca and K-9 Action. A small ceremony in
the Training Unit was held to present K-9 teams a
certificate of completion.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 CASTOR
June 28, 2002
Handler: Sgt. Frank
VonCannon
Asheboro Police Department
205 E. Academy St.
Ashboro, NC 27203 PH:336.626-1300
Castor came to the Asheboro Police Department in 1989. We
were assigned to a street level Narcotics Unit. For almost
six years then back to patrol until 1998. We transferred to
the Vice/Narcotics Unit until Castor retired in 2001. Castor
was very active in the schools. He loved kids and the more
kids the better. He had several large narcotics bust for the
small town we live in. We seized over $400,000.00 in cash
and drugs over the years.
In June of 2002, while enjoying retirement, Castor had what
the vet said was a stroke. Two weeks later, left our family.
He will be missed by all, including my two kids. They were
not even born when Castor came to me. He was a hard working
friend and will be missed.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 CHUCK
May 8, 2002
Handler:
Sgt. Wes Barnes
Anderson City Police Department
401
South Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621
Telephone Numbers
General Information (864) 231-2200
Chief Of Police (864) 231-2263
Anderson Police Sgt. Wes Barnes, right, bows his head in
prayer as his daughter, Kati, 15, left, wipes tears from her
eyes during a memorial
service
for Sgt. Barnes K-9 partner, Chuck, at Chris Taylor Park in
Anderson on Sunday. Chuck died May 8.
[Will
Chandler Anderson Independent-Mail]
Mauldin police department K-9s Rex, right, and Billy, left,
wear
black bands across their badges during the memorial service
for Anderson police department K-9 Chuck on Sunday. Ivan,
another Anderson police dog, can be seen in the background.
 click
here for
Eulogy for K-9 Chuck
This is what Chuck was
all about - the kids.
WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Dan Hodges notified me about K-9 Chuck...thanks Dan
Anderson Police Sgt. Wes Barnes, right, bows his head in
prayer as his daughter, Kati, 15, left, wipes tears from her
eyes during a memorial
service for Sgt.
Barnes K-9 partner, Chuck, at Chris Taylor Park in Anderson
on Sunday. Chuck died May 8.
[Will Chandler Anderson Independent-Mail]
Mauldin police department K-9s Rex, right, and Billy,
left, wear black bands across their badges during the
memorial service
for Anderson police department K-9 Chuck on Sunday. Ivan,
another Anderson police dog, can be seen in the background.
click
here for
Eulogy for K-9 Chuck
This is what Chuck was
all about - the kids.
WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Dan Hodges notified me about K-9 Chuck...thanks Dan
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 CLARK
April 27, 1994 - April 2, 2002
Handler:
Officer Scott Petersen
Ledyard Police
Department, K-9 Unit, CT
11
Lorenz Parkway- Ledyard,
CT 06339
860.464.9416
Canine handlers have even a more special bond with their
partner. Clark was eight years old. He passed as result of
kidney failure. He was trained for both patrol work and
narcotics detection. We worked on the road together for
more than four years. He was a very special friend,
companion, and partner. Clark was very loyal and protective,
but also very social, particularly with children.
His
passing came while riding in a Ledyard Police cruiser,
for one
last "tour of duty."
A
memorial service for both,
K-9 Clark (Officer Petersen)& K-9 Max, (Sgt. Ravenelle)
Apr. 26, 2002
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 Max
& K-9 Clark
 ..
 
Photo of the service in Ledyard Police Dept. CT
April
26, 2002 for K-9 Max & K-9 Clark
Partners: Sgt. Michael J. Ravenelle & Ofc. Scott Petersen
"Guardians of the Night" read at the service.
photos by James A. Cortina.
C.P.W.D.A. DIRECTOR
(pictures are worth a thousand words)
In Loving Memory of
K-9 CIRO AKA; CIRO DE-LUXE
May 15, 1995 -
December 16, 2002
Handler:
Officer Howard Knauf
Melbourne Police Department
650 N Apollo Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32935
321/259-1211
Proud servant of the Melbourne Police
Department in Melbourne, Florida from
February 1997 to June 2001. A patrol dog
crossed trained for drug detection. He lived
to work for his partner, Officer. Howard
Knauf. Ciro was retired in June of 2001 when
he suffered a broken leg during training.
The bone never healed strong enough so that
he could continue his service without
physical impairment or risk of further
serious injury. Ciro was the ball craziest
dog I have ever seen. This is what made him
a fantastic drug dog but unfortunately
played a major role in his death. He would
destroy the average toy within half an hour
and was only allowed to have a solid 3 inch
rubber ball for a toy. He would literally
spend an entire 10 hour shift chewing this
ball nonstop. Any waking moment he could be
found gnawing at this thing and he was never
without it. One day Ciro got hold of a kong
which was left unattended by my new partner
and he chewed the top off of it and
swallowed it. When the toy became lodged in
his intestine he became ill and numerous
trips to the vet didn't reveal the problem
until his intestine ruptured. Ciro died on
the operating table. Ciro's life as a
working police K-9 was as colorful as they
come.
In the over 4 years of police service he was
called to duty on 522 separate occasions. 53
of those resulted in apprehensions. Although
our city is not considered a Mecca of drug
smuggling, his two largest drug finds were 2
kilo's of cocaine and almost 50 pounds of
marijuana. Ciro was to be considered all
business at all times, even at home, but
this did not preclude him from being a
loving member of the family by my wife and
children. When Ciro was forced to retire I
felt that my family was in great hands and I
never worried about their safety as long as
he was home with them. Ciro only weighed 74
pounds but he had a huge heart and was
fearless. He proved this to me as my partner
when he took down a 300 pound bad guy on one
occasion and later, when he was beaten by another criminal
during a physical apprehension, never
letting go, before I could come to his aid.
When a K-9 handler tells you that he puts
his life in the hands of his partner, This
is what he is talking about. A courageous,
fearless and fierce partner that puts his
life on the line for his owner/handler.
Ciro's pet peeves were handcuffs, Velcro and
anyone trying to take his picture. His
personality was that if he wanted to play,
you WILL play. He is sorely missed by
myself, my family and all that knew him. My
friends and fellow dog handlers keep his
memory alive by reliving his antics and
speaking of him often. To
let you know how good Ciro was with drug
detection....every one of our narcotics
detectives would request Ciro before any
other K9. If Ciro said there was dope, then
there was dope. He had a great reputation
within the whole county. God Bless You CIRO. I am honored that you would put my Ciro in
your book.
UPDATE:
I am still a dog handler with Melbourne PD
and will continue to do so until I retire in
13 more years. It is the best job in the
whole dang place..I love it! My current
partner is named ROSCOE.
He has been with me since July 2001 and is
Melbourne's first explosives detection dog.
He is as good with bombs as Ciro was with
drugs, and that is saying something. Roscoe
is very handsome and has a great
disposition. He is great with kids. The
trick
I taught Roscoe for demonstrations at schools is...I yell, "SNAKE" and he
jumps in my arms...cool.
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In
Loving Memory of
K-9 CODY
May 2002
Handler: Michael McKenna
Waterbury Police Department
255
East Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
(203) 574-6911
Retired K9 Cody, Waterbury P.D.,who was
handled by Michael McKenna for over 7 yrs was put to rest
today for health reasons.
This K-9 was a great asset to the
City and was rsponsible for numerous arrests and gun
recoveries.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir.
CPWDA |
In
Loving Memory of
MWD K9 CHIMACO
(Chewy)
February 17, 2002
Handlers: Tech. Sgt. Mary Espieg
& Staff Sgt. Brian Umbach
89th
Security Forces Squadron
Military Working
Dog kennel master
Andrews Air Force Base, VA
In Loving
Memory of
MWD K9 JACK
February
17, 2002
Handler: Tech. Sgt. Michael Secrist
89 SFS MWD handler
Andrews
Air Force Base, VA
A sad farewell -
89 SFS loses two military dogs to illnesses
by Senior
Airman Chrisalyn Smith - Staff writer -
March 4,
2002
"I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I
draw, that my fate has always been safest in your hands."
This excerpt from a poem entitled "Man's Best Friend" has
especially strong meaning for Tech. Sgt. Mary Espieg, 89th
Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog kennel master,
Staff Sgt. Brian Umbach, 89 SFS MWD handler, Tech. Sgt.
Michael Secrist,
89 SFS MWD handler and the entire 89 SFS,
because they recently lost two of their members.
MWDs Chimaco, who served 10 years at Andrews, and Jack, who
served four years, were put to sleep Feb.17 at Fort Belvior
Veterinary Clinic, Alexandria, VA. Espieg said she had a
unique attachment to Chimaco -- who was also known as
"Chewy" -- because she was Chimaco's last handler and her
nephew, Staff Sgt. Rob Rocarck, who is now at Goodfellow Air
Force Base, Texas, was Chewy's first handler.
Chewy was a golden retriever, which is unusual for MWDs.
"Most MWDs are Dutch or German shepherds or Belgium malinois
because they have a high work drive," said Espieg. "Despite
Chewy's breed and friendly disposition, he had an extremely
high work drive
and was the only golden retriever in the Air
Force, according to our information."
Chewy's main job at Andrews was presidential protection as
an explosive detector. He went to many different locations
in support
of the President. Chimaco's accomplishments
include: providing explosion detection support throughout
the tenure of five presidents, helping secure the Middle
East Peace Talks in 1993, supporting the Secret Service
Uniformed Division in Charleston, W. VA and providing
support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in
April 1999.
He was temporarily
assigned to Saudi Arabia
from January until April 2000 and
helped secure base ceremonies to include 10 Joint Service
Open Houses. |
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Memorials
to Fallen K-9s