In Loving Memory of
K-9 AX
August 21, 1999 - June 1,
2003
Handler:
Tonya Slack
ISAR
(Iowa Search & Rescue)
We brought Ax home as a
4-month-old pup to be the mascot for our
fire department, as well as a family
pet. Though Ax was my husband's dog, I
started training with him. Ax and I
attended our first Iowa Search and
Rescue practice, and we were both
hooked! Ax made an excellent search dog.
He loved it, and it's what he lived for.
Ax started having vision problems just
over a year later. We took him to Ames,
where he was diagnosed with juvenile
cataracts, so we had to retire him from
SAR at 18 months old. Ax dealt really
well with his blindness, doing
everything he had done as a sighted dog.
He would do small searches (on leash for
fun), slide down the slide at the park
with the kids, and just have a blast. We
had special commands so that he wouldn't
do anything dangerous or run into
anything, and most people couldn't tell
he was blind unless I wasn't directing
him.
Then, everything was shattered again
when he passed away suddenly on June
1st, 2003. We discovered that Ax didn't
have juvenile cataracts at all. He had a
brain anurism that had been affecting
his vision, and he passed away when it
ruptured that morning. He was retired
January 2001.
Ax, we love you and miss you. You
were an awesome partner and friend.
Someday we'll meet again at the rainbow
bridge.
In loving memory of
K-9 AJO
June 2003
Handler:
Sgt.
Boyd Williams
Monroe County South Police Department
MCSO - Attn: Training Unit
5525 College Rd. (West)
Key West, Fl. 33040
305.292.7010
Ajo was born June of 1991.
Started his career on October 1994.
Retired from Patrol work November 1998.
Retired from Narcotics work December of
1999.
Laid to rest June 2003.
It was difficult losing AJO, but I am at
ease knowing he is not suffering. He
suffered a beating a few years ago
during the criminal apprehension of a
wanted felon. As a result he went blind
in one eye and suffered periodic
seizures when overheated. I worked him
strictly as a narcotics dog for a few
more years, but as he got older he went
completely blind. He also suffered from
chronic reoccurring tumors. The last one
was in his flanks. That combined with
his age made surgery out of the
question. So when it got to where I
could see he was uncomfortable, I knew
it was time. I will work on a photo for
you. submitted
by Dusty Simon
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ABBY
September 11, 2003
Handler:
Officer
Adam Chavez
San Luis Arizona Port of Entry
U.S. Customs Service
1000 Second Ave Suite 2100
Seattle, WA 98104
Abby, a female black lab and pit bull
mix, was found in an animal shelter in
the South. Sitting on death row, a
simple towel saved her life. A recruiter
for the U.S. Customs Service threw a
towel toward her, and because of her
eager response, she was hired. Abby's
career was spent on the Arizona / Mexico
border. She spent three years sending
drug smugglers to jail and getting over
$13.0 million in drugs off the streets.
Abby was named consistently "Top Dog"
each year that she worked. She loved her
job. Abby also did many demonstrations
for schools and organizations.
Unfortunately Abby injured her back
while on duty and was not able to work
any longer. She was given a retirement
party at work and had her picture taken
for the local newspaper. Her partner
Adam brought her home to enjoy
retirement. Abby took to retirement
immediately. She was Adam's loyal
partner, but she became his wife, Jan's
companion and constant shadow. Abby had
a long and peaceful retirement ruling
the household. Her biggest dream was to
be a lap dog. Unfortunately she was a
bit too big to fulfill this dream, yet
she definitely got her cuddle time on
the couch. Abby loved people. She knew
how to work it for getting attention and
love. Abby lived a happy and long life.
She was 15 years young when she passed
and very healthy until the last 2 weeks
of her life. Adam and Jan were with her
at the very end, letting her know how
much she was loved. She will be deeply
missed and never forgotten.
American Indians & Dogs
There is a story told by the American
Indians
that the Great Spirit decided to divide
the worlds of animal and man;
so he gathered all the living beings on
a
great plain and drew a line in the
dirt.
On one side of the line stood man;
on the other side stood all of the
animals.
And that line began to open up into a
great
crevasse; and at the last moment,
before it became unreachable,
dog leaped over - and stood by man.
- Unknown author
Submitted by
Sean Mulligan
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ALEX
"ALIX OL MILCS"
July 5, 2003
  
Steve, Alex, Dolly, wife, Diane, Reserve
Police officer
-
K9 Alex & Steve honored by the city of
Amory
Handler:
Sgt.
Steve Hunt
Amory
Police Department
Chief of Police Ronnie Bowen 109
South Front St Amory, Mississippi 38821
(601)256-2676
Alex had passed on when I found him
Saturday morning, July 5, 2003 in his
indoor air conditioned kennel. He had
been featured in an article of our local
paper, "The Amory Advertiser" on July 2,
2003, only three days prior while I was
on vacation. We worked together from
October 3, 1994 to July 5, 2003. He was
the best partner I'll ever have. Alex
was Amory Police Departments first K9
and was purchased with majority of the
funds raised by local citizens, civic
clubs and the city. It has been a
tremendous loss to my wife and I. Alex
was a dual purpose German shepherd, born
in Czechoslovakia and trained in
Germany. I am so thankful that I spent a
lot of time with him. My family dearly
loved Alex. We visited the local
schools, churches, civic groups, nursing
homes, scouts and other organizations
who requested demonstrations. Alex
always performed with excellence and
always made me very proud. I can recall
him traveling with my wife and I to New
Orleans where we attended a Street
Survival Seminar. Alex would stay in the
Riverside Hotel with us. We started to
get on the elevator and everyone would
say, we'll catch the next one, okay? His
mannerism was very good in public, never
caused any problems or destroyed
anything. He lived in our home and one
day my wife said, "Where's Alex?" We saw
Alex come out of my son's room with
ketchup on his nose and he returned to
find his roast was gone. That was so
funny to us, how Alex had sneaked in
while we went out to get something else.
That was when I first got him. He never
chewed on anything or bothered anything
else. My door panels and head liners in
both my units where we worked out, were
never destroyed or damaged. I was
writing a warning ticket one day and I
saw a German Shepherd that looked like
mine standing in front of our unit. I
said to myself, that dog looks like
mine.
I looked back and the door was opened.
He had opened the door and got out. I
quickly commanded him to get into the
auto and he did. I quickly had the
handles removed because I knew he had
discovered his own door popper. We
caught a burglar inside a building one
night. We apprehended him after we
answered a silent alarm. I will never
forget how silent he was as we searched
perimeter until we found suspect in the
building. I had another incident where a
man bailed out from a vehicle crossing
traffic fleeing into the woods. Alex
located him under a brush top with brick
and cover all around. He sniffed out
drugs on many occasions for me and other
officers. I remember one night we got
the first meth in this area that I had
ever seen that resulted in two arrests
and handgun seized. I remember several
times where I arrested wanted felons on
the road that he would bark so loud and
never take his eyes off me as he looked
on from the unit. I remember one time
we were in the Kiwanis Club meeting for
a program and they started to sing. Alex
just howled out loud. Everybody just
died laughing as I tried to quieted him,
but they loved it. His loyalty to me
will never be forgotten and I cherish
his memories. He would give his life for
me and always watched me when I was out
of the car. When we were off, he would
walk by the car and try to push the
handle up with his nose. He always would
sound off I you asked him, if he wanted
to go to work. I thought of the many
good times as we had a memorial at my
home on Saturday, July 5 at 3 P.M. My
pastors spoke at the memorial, the Chief
of Police and officers that I worked
with, made remarks and I spoke. I
appreciate the many phone calls,
flowers, donations to charity in his
honor, word of concern etc. We will miss
him for a long time. My grandson, Stone,
said, "don't be sad, Big Daddy, I loved
him too." that rattled me for a 2 1/2
year old to say. Thanks to everyone that
has been a part of getting Alex for us.
The kindness they have shown to us
during this loss. Alex is buried out in
our backyard where we spent so much of
our off duty time. I would also like to
say thanks for this website that shares
our story. May God Bless Each Of You. We
will never forget you, Alex and I think
of you each time I start to get into my
unit, as I see your decorated grave with
flowers and grave marker.
You were the best, rest in peace,
Buddy!
Steve & Diane Hunt, Me Too, "Stone"
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
AMUR
September 22, 2003
Handler:
Officer George
Gikas
Essex County
Correctional Facility
&
Sheriff's Department
Middleton, MA
Amur
was a K-9 with the Essex County
Correctional Facility and
Sheriff's Department in Middleton
Massachusetts since March 1997. He was a
beautiful Czech German Sheppard. My
husband, George Gikas, was his proud
handler. We lost Amur September 22,
2003, one of the hardest days of our
lives. He was not only a great working
K-9, but a much loved family member. He
started to get sick and one week later
he was gone. He was supposed to have a
biopsy of his liver but he never made it
for that appointment. He had liver
cancer and it progressed much too fast.
He was only eight and a half when he
died - much too young and very
unexpected. We were not prepared to lose
him so soon, although I don't think we
would ever have been prepared not to
have him with us.
Amur was always more than happy to go to
work. He enjoyed every day whether he
was on his regular shift at the jail, at
a school demo, or out on a call from a
local police department. At home he was
just a regular dog who not only
protected his partner, but our entire
family. When he came in the house each
night he would check to make sure our
children were in the bedrooms then he
would go have his dinner. He was an
extremely protective dog who always made
me feel safe.
It has been very hard getting through
the past month and a half. Amur will
always be loved, remembered and
extremely missed. He was an honor to
have as part of our family.
I am proud to also say that on October
29, 2003 George picked up his new
partner, Asmar. He is almost 2 and a
ball of energy. They have begun
training and will be certified and
working at the jail together soon. We
are
looking forward to getting to know and
love Asmar but we will never forget our
Amur. The new dog is great - he is the
complete opposite of Amur, but we are
getting used to him. We did find out
something strange though - Arson (the
new dog, we changed his name) was one
puppy out of seven and one of the other
puppies in his litter was named Amur -
so we feel that our new dog was approved
and sent to us from our Amur.
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ARNIE
K-9 Asslan von
Melanchthon
February 9, 1992 - March 13, 2003
Handler: Deputy Gerry Van Hoorn
Luzerne County Sheriff Office
Sheriff Barry Stankus
Chief of Administration Carol Roman -
Chief of Operations George M. Kamage,
Jr.
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania 18711
Telephone 570-825-1651 - Fax
570-825-1849
Local law enforcement remembers Arnie
by
Tim Gulla - Citizens Voice Staff Writer
By all accounts, Arnie, a German
shepherd, was a remarkable and valuable
member of local law enforcement. Along
with his handler, Luzerne County Sheriff
Deputy Ger. Van Hoorn, Arnie sniffed out
more than $500,000 worth of drugs during
his 10 year career as a police K-9.
His sensitive nose was attuned to the
distinctive smell of explosives. His
extensive training ensured he always had
the appropriate disposition, be it
around wanted felons or young school
children. Last month, after 10 years of
service, Arnie became ill and died. To
show how important Arnie was to law
enforcement, members of several agencies
assembled at the county courthouse on
Thursday to recognize Deputy Van Hoorn
for his work with the dog and to say
they appreciated the services Arnie had
provided to the community. Hank Macuch,
a retired Hazleton police office who now
serves as president of the Pennsylvania
Police K9 Association said he had been
watching Van Hoorn train Arnie since
Arnie was only 10 weeks old. "Very few
people understand the bond and the
relationship between a police canine and
his handler." Luzerne County Chief
Deputy Sheriff George Kamage noted that
Van Hoorn had trained the dog on his own
and bore all of the expenses. Arnie was
one of the most highly trained police
canines in the state. We just wanted to
recognize what Van Hoorn did with his
canine. van Hoorn said that working with
Arnie was a labor of love. He obtained
the German shepherd who had a registered
name of "Asslan von Melanchthon" from
Germany when he was only 7 weeks old.
Van Hoorn said he has attempted to train
other German shepherds, but none was
quite as adapt at police work as Arnie.
Van Hoorn of Hazleton began volunteering
his time with the Luzerne County
Sheriff's Department's Canine Unit in
1986. He became full time deputy four
years ago. Arnie actually had his own
identification card at the Luzerne
County Courthouse. The loss of Arnie
hasn't resulted in a loss of desire to
keep working with a police canine. Van
Hoorn acknowledged. instead, he plans to
begin training a new dog in the near
future. He said he recently made
arrangements to obtain a 14 month old
German shepherd named, Bart from
Czechoslovakia. He explained that he
didn't want to start from scratch with a
puppy and that German shepherds from
Czechoslovakia had better blood lines
for police work. Ger. and Arnie
accomplished a lot. The dog was a
phenomenal dog and Ger. was a dedicated
handler and still is. Thursday's
gathering was attended by officials from
the state police, Hazleton police and
numerous members of the Luzerne County
Sheriff's Department and Pennsylvania
Police K-9 Association. A plaque
presented to Van Hoorn by the K-9
Association red, Arnie will continue to
watch the back of his beloved partner,
but is now serving another Master in a
larger, but much safer jurisdiction.
Sheriff Barry Stankus said , "We just
wanted to pay respect and admiration to
the many years of dedicated service by
Deputy Van Hoorn and his partner,
Arnie."
A TRIBUTE to
K-9 "ASSLAN von MELANCHTHON"
Presented on this day, April 10th,
2003, by the members and Board of
Directors of the Pennsylvania Police
Canine Association. "ARNIE" will be
eternally remembered for his courage,
keen nose, loyal service, long list of
accomplishments, and unselfish
dedication to the Luzerne County
Sheriff’s Department, and the citizens
of Luzerne County in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. Together with his trusted
partner, Deputy Albert "Gerry" VanHoorn,
he executed his duties with diligence,
and bravery, that so often goes
unnoticed by the general public, and
"Arnie" never once asked for more than
the praise and undying affection of his
handler. "Arnie" will continue to watch
the back of his beloved partner, but is
now serving another Master, in a larger,
but much safer jurisdiction. "PAS AUF,
ARNIE! We will work together again."
FOREVER A POLICE SERVICE DOG
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ANDOR
June 15, 2003
Handler:
Deputy Steve Sprouse
Oakland Park Police Department
(now Broward County
Sheriff Dept.)
FL
954.561.6111
301 N.E. 38th St.
Oakland Park , FL 33334
Andor served the Oakland Park Fl.
Police Dept. from 1993-1997 as a crossed
trained patrol and narcotic detection
dog. Andor was a German Shepherd born in
Holland. After his 12 week patrol
dog school in Metro Miami Dade he worked
the night shift in the City of Oakland
Park, Broward County, FL. Andor competed
and received National points in several
regional K-9 field trials. Andor took
5th place in the total search category
in the 1994 USPCA National Police Dog
Trials. Andor and his handler received 7
Official Departmental Commendations and
1 Officer of the Month Citation for K-9
related incidents. Andor was directly
responsible for locating over 100 hiding
or fleeing felony suspects, including
many robberies that involved shootings.
Andor performed dozens of K-9
demonstrations for the public and was
always a hit with his energetic
obedience routine. Andor had to
retire in 1997 due to an arthritis
condition. After his retirement he lived
with his handler and the handler’s wife
and kids for 6 additional years as the
family pet. In 2003 his arthritic
condition got so bad he had to be put
down. He will be missed and remembered
by many in the South Florida area,
especially those whom he lived.
submitted
by DUSTY SIMON
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ADAM
February 2003
Handler:
Deputy Jon Shiels
Boulder County Sheriff's Office
1777 6th Street, Boulder, CO. 80302
303-441-3600 - 303-441-4444
Adam was a Belgian Malinois born in
Holland, he was put into service in 1995
and served the Sheriff's Office for over
6 years as a Certified Police Dog. Adam
Certified in PD1 Trails every year
earning "Top Dog" in 1998. He also
earned several awards including the Jack
Lennog Memorial Award for Certifying in
PD1, Tracking, and Narcotics in the same
year, 2 years in a row 1998, 1999.
Adams biggest seizure was $209,000 in
cash, which was being shipped from
Boulder to Seattle, WA. for drug
payment.
Adam was put to sleep in February of
2003 due to medical problems. He was 14
years old.
submitted by Dusty Simon
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ARGO
February 27, 2003
Handler:
Cpl. Mark Baird
Sullivan County Sheriff Department
P.O. Box 589 - Blountville, TN 37617
(423)279-7500
Sullivan County Sheriff's Office
regrets to inform you of the loss of K-9
Argo. He became ill Thursday and was
taken to the UT Hospital where
veterinarians determined the K-9 had
spleen cancer. Immediate surgery was
done and K-9 Argo passed away during
surgery as a result of complications. K-9
Argo was six years old and had made
numerous felony arrests, while keeping
Sullivan County safe. K-9 Argo was
handled by Corporal Mark Baird. He will
truly be missed by the Sullivan county
Sheriff's office and by his handler,
Cpl. Mark Baird.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 ALF
March 3, 2003
Handler:
Deputy Bob Rinfrette
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office
K-9 Unit
301 Court Street
Little Valley, NY 14755-1090
716-938-9191 - 1-800-443-3403 (New
York State Only)
2003 was not a good year for
Bob, Deputy Rinfrette. On Feb 15 we
took our 12 year old K-9
Alf
to the vet, because his
stomach was just growing. He was
diagnosed with a tumor on his spleen.
On the 24th, we took Alf for a second
opinion just to be told to take him home
and make him comfortable. On March 3 at
4:30 PM, Alf was put to sleep. That was
just 5 weeks and 3 days after the
accident that took
Bryson
from us.
Alf was trained as a bomb detection K-9
and tracking. Alf was an excellent
tracker, finding many suspects, and also
once a suicide victim. As for bombs,
Alf was called many times to schools for
searches and also was used at
Chautauqua Institute to do bomb sweeps
for President Clinton, and to Alfred
University for Mrs. Clinton. At the
time of his death, Alf was retired and
liked to stay home. 3 more k-9's were
sadly lost before these 2,
Bryson
&
Alf,
K-9s Brutus, Buck and Luke.
All 3 of these handlers & K9s worked
with Deputy Rinfrette until retirement
and/or medical problems kept them from
working. Brutus
was Bob's first dog, he was put to
sleep in 1991.
Brutus
specialized in narcotics and
tracking. He was also featured in a
episode of "Unsolved Mysteries" with
Bob. They still play it every now and
then. He suffered from degenerative
myelopathy.
Buck
was put to sleep in November
1999 just around thanksgiving. a few
months before that he recovered from a
stroke remarkably. Buck was used for
tracking and patrol and demonstrations.
Luke
was put down on 1-12-2002. Luke was
used for narcotics and cadaver
detection. He lost one leg due to
getting hit by a car 8 years before. Vicki
In Loving Memory of
K-9 ASKO
June 1994 - March 6, 2003
SAR
Handler: Officer C. Keen
Previous Partner 1996-1998: Sergeant M.
Wojtalewicz
Milwaukee County House of
Correction
Wisconsin
Canine Asko, of the Milwaukee County
House of Correction, was originally
trained in 1996 with Sergeant M.
Wojtalewicz, which made for an easy
transition when Canine Asko was later
assigned to Officer C. Keen in September
of 1998.
On March 5th, while at Keen’s home, Asko
was observed vomiting, defecating, and
cowering in pain when approached. He
was rushed to the vet and found to be
severely dehydrated. Canine Asko was
immediately placed on IVs and
stabilized. On March 6th, 2003 Canine
Asko’s vitals plunged and the difficult
decision was made to lay him to rest.
Asko’s favorite past time at home was
playing with the family dog in the
backyard where Officer Keen had
constructed a 6’ high fence. During his
career, Canine Asko had been in every
dorm and inmate area within and outside
the institution. Asko was involved in
200 disturbance calls and numerous
C.E.R.T. calls. Asko also thwarted an
escape attempt.
Milwaukee County truly appreciated the
service of Canine Asko.
Even when he was in so much pain, he
still thrived to do what he was trained
to do: Serve and Protect the community.
|
|
In Loving Memory of
K-9
ANDOR (II)
2003
Handler:
Brad Wentlandt
Greenfield Police Dept.
5300 W. Layton Ave.
Greenfield, WI 53220
414.761-5300
Greenfield’s second K-9,
Andor, a Belgian Malinois, also died in 2003 from injuries
resulting from a fall due to an arthritic condition which
had been plaguing him. Andor, assigned in 1992, retired in
1995 due to a hip injury and lived at home with his handler,
Brad Wentlandt. Andor was the first Belgian Malinois
assigned to the Greenfield Police Department K-9 Unit and
led the way for subsequent Malinois K-9 units.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 AEGOR
March 13, 2003
Handler: P.O.
Bobby Boyce
Cincinnati Police
Department K-9 Division
5083 Colerain Ave.
Cincinnati Ohio 45223
Ph: 513-352-4088
P.O.
Bobby Boyce lost his partner "Aegor" to cancer
on
3/13/03. Aegor served the Cincinnati Police Division
for eight years.
He was Patrol and Narcotic certified. Aegor was responsible for taking
many bad guys off the streets.
submitted by Friends,
Joe Dipietrantonio & Axel
Officer
Boyce received another partner, K-9 Cyrus.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 ALKO
April 20, 2003
Handler:
Deputy Frank Glover
Lee County Sheriff
Department
14750
Six Mile Cypress Pkwy.
Ft. Myers, Florida 33912
(239) 477-1000
Police dog dies as result of injuries
By
JEFF CULL
A 6
year old sheriff's dog died Sunday of injuries suffered
while trying to protect his partner and help capture a knife
wielding prowler the day before. Alko, a German shepherd and
three year veteran of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, died
at 4 p.m. Sunday. He is believed to be the first K-9 officer
to die on duty, said Lt. Rich Dobson, supervisor of the
major crimes unit for the sheriff’s office. “The unit was
formed in the late 1970s, and we’ve never had one killed in
the line of duty,” he said. Alko died of injuries received
when the suspect, Roger Jackson, 34, reportedly stabbed and
kicked him Saturday trying to escape deputies. The stab
wounds, Dobson said, did not appear serious. “It was blunt
trauma,” he said. “The guy was just kicking him.” An autopsy
this week will determine the cause of death. Deputy Frank
Glover, Alko’s handler, was also wounded when Jackson
slashed him with a knife after leading deputies on a brief
car chase. Glover was released from the hospital with 12
stitches and 34 staples in his left arm. Another deputy,
Vallie Arvin, 39, was treated for bruises and was back to
work Sunday. Glover was extremely upset over the loss of his
partner of three years, Dobson said, and did not want to
talk about the incident. Jackson, who has prior arrests
including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and
domestic violence, was “acting bizarre” when Arvin
approached him at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a report said.
He initially cooperated but turned on Arvin, punching and
kicking her before escaping, according to the report.
Jackson then led deputies on a short car chase before
abandoning his vehicle and jumping into a canal. Alko caught
up with Jackson, but Jackson began punching the dog. Glover
jumped to Alko’s aid and was severely cut by a knife Jackson
held, the report said. After using Tasers and chemical
agents, deputies were able to subdue Jackson. Alko was taken
to the Suburban Animal Hospital on Palm Beach Boulevard with
two stab wounds and internal injuries, Dobson said. Jackson
remained in the Lee County jail Sunday in lieu of $100,000
bond. He is charged with aggravated battery on a law
enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, fleeing
and attempting to elude, aggravated assault on a law
enforcement officer and battery on a police dog.
Alko
was a very good work dog, but he was also a wonderful pet.
Hundreds remember K-9 'partner' at service
Saturday, April 26, 2003 - By
STEVE SCHMADEKE,
With
somber ceremony, the first Lee County police dog killed on
the job in the past 40 years was memorialized Friday. The 6
year old German shepherd, Alko, who served with Lee County
sheriff's Cpl. Frank Glover for three years, died Sunday
from injuries suffered while helping his handler arrest a
knife wielding man in Fort Myers.
Lee
County Sheriff's officers carry police dog Alko, a 6 year
old German shepherd who died in the line of duty protecting
handler Cpl. Frank Glover, through a procession of close to
50 K-9 police dogs during a memorial service at the Lee
County Civic Center in Fort Myers on Friday. Gary
Coronado/Staff
"He'll
be missed because he laid down his life for his friends,"
Sheriff Rod Shoap said in a speech to the 300 or so law
enforcement officers from across the state who gathered at
the Lee County Civic Center. Observers dabbed their eyes as
a white casket containing the dog's remains was carried into
the auditorium by four police officers in full dress
uniform. A woman had passed out black bands beforehand that
some officers put over their badges.
Cpl.
Glover, who still has stitches from last weekend's attack,
sat in the front row of blue folding chairs, while police
officials stood up and gave superlative laden speeches about
courage and transcendence and the bond people have with
their dogs. "I don't think police dogs die," said Sgt. Steve
Ford, altering a line from Gen. George MacArthur's famous
speech to Congress. "They're just ... in another place,
waiting for their next assignment." "Alko tore up more of my
training equipment by himself than the rest of the K-9 unit
combined," said Cpl. Russell Graham, who choked up several
times as he described the fight that took the dog's life.
"Your
actions during this battle easily could have saved Frank's
life," he said, glancing at the white casket. "For this I
thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly a
warrior." The memorial included a "video salute" with
footage of Alko training set to Sarah McLachlan's "I Will
Remember You," followed by a seven gun salute. A plaque and
flag were presented to Cpl. Glover and a long line of
officers filed by to shake his hand or hug him. After the
event, Sgt. Steve Ford, who oversees the Lee County K-9
unit, explained why police dogs were deserving of such a
ceremony. "They are our partners," he said. "I wish there
were words that could easily describe that. But the bond
that a handler has with his dog is just unexplainable."
Alko
will be cremated and his ashes placed in an urn on Cpl.
Glover's mantle, Ford said. He added that he was planning to
meet Cpl. Glover at an Orlando kennel next week to try to
find a new dog compatible with Glover. "In Frank's own
words, 'He wants to get back in the saddle as soon as
possible,"
Notified by J. Cortina - CPWDA
Dir.
*********************************
Our
16 month old daughter still carries his favorite chew toy,
( they used to play tug of war with it), around the house
calling for him. We all miss the way he would wake us up
with a cold wet nose, in the face every morning. We are all
trying to adjust and get to know the new dog, but we will
never forget our Alko.
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In Loving
Memory of
K-9 ARAN
March 31, 2003
K-9 Aran at WTC after 9/11/01
Handler:
Officer Lou
Venturini
Suffern Police Department
61 Washington Avenue
Suffern, N.Y. 10901
845-357-2300
K-9 "Aran" joined the Suffern Police department in
1994. He is partnered up with Officer Louis Venturini.
"Aran" and Lou went through extensive training to establish
the solid bond required of a K-9 team.
Retired Police Dog Dies - Suffern,
NJ - 4/1/2004
By SUZAN CLARKE -
THE JOURNAL NEWS
Flags flew at half-staff at Suffern Village Hall yesterday
in honor of Aran, the German shepherd who walked a village
Police Department K-9 beat for a decade. The 14-year-old dog
died Tuesday night at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus,
N.J. He had been suffering from a degenerative spinal
disease, Suffern Police Detective Craig Long said yesterday.
"We are all saddened by the loss of our beloved canine,
Aran," Long said. "The Suffern police community mourns his
death." Aran was the department's first canine. He joined
the force in 1993 and worked with his handler and partner,
Officer Lou Venturini, until his retirement in July 2003,
when K-9 Hero officially took over. Aran's career had
numerous memorable moments, Long said. "He was responsible
for apprehending felons, saving lives, befriending children
in our schools and the DARE program," Long said. During
Aran's first month on the job, he and Venturini caught a
bank robber about 30 minutes after the man ran out of the
Marine Midland Bank in Sloatsburg. Venturini and the
then-rookie, Aran tracked the suspect to his front door
where he was arrested. The dog also frequently assisted
other law enforcement agencies, and searched for missing
people and hidden contraband. He and Venturini and Officer
Anne Cawley, Venturini's wife and the department's backup
K-9 officer, searched for survivors at Ground Zero following
the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Venturini
handpicked Aran from the Sukee Kennel in Warren, Maine. The
dog underwent police training at Orange County Canine
Academy, where he displayed his character and ability for
police work, Long said.
"When he graduated from the K-9 academy, Aran had the much
coveted title of top dog. He came out first in his class,
both he and the handler," Long said. Not only was he a
superb police dog, but he was great with people, too, Long
said. "Aran was an extremely social dog and was charming and
great with the children," he said, "but when given the
command by Officer Venturini, he automatically switched into
the police dog mode and I think that speaks to the
tremendous character of the animal, as well as the handler,
to be able to do that."
On visits to schools, Aran would "stand there and literally,
children could for an hour pet and caress him and when it
came time for a demonstration, they saw the dog in action
and they saw the power the K-9 had in apprehending
somebody," Long added.
The dog had a profound impact on many people's lives, said
Long, adding that the relationship between Aran and
Venturini was unique. "They had a special relationship, a
symbiotic relationship," Long said. "More than just fellow
officers. It was a friendship. It was family."
James Giannettino, Suffern's mayor, agreed. "He did great,
great things for the village of Suffern and the town of
Ramapo and anybody else that needed him," Giannettino said
of Aran. "Just a super, super police dog. "I mean, you can't
say enough good about him. He was just a companion to Lou
and Ann and all the police," Giannettino said. Aran lived
with Venturini and Cawley and their family. Hero also lives
with them.
A memorial for Aran will be in May, coinciding with National
Police Week, Long said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In the Fall of 2003, upon K-9 "Aran's" retirement, Officer
Venturini. I began working with his new partner, "Hero."
Like Aran, Hero came to the Suffern PD from
Czechoslovakia and was also trained by the
Sukee Kennel in Maine.
"Hero" is certified in patrol, tracking, narcotics
detection, search & rescue and evidence recovery.
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Memorials
to Fallen K-9s