In Loving Memory of
K-9 DRIGON
November
30, 2003
Handler: Officer Brian
Delos Santos
Police SWAT/ Patrol/ Nar
Cocoa Police Department
1226 W. King St. - Cocoa,
FL 32922
321 639-7620
The Cocoa Police Department is pleased to announce that
Officer Brian Delos-Santos has been selected to represent the
department
as our Officer of the Year for the year 2001. Brian was hired
by the department in January of 1997 as a patrol officer. He
soon realized a dream and became one of the department's Canine
Officers. He and his partner Drigon distinguished themselves
during 2001 with many important operational achievements,
including the apprehension of an armed robbery suspect as he
fled from a store. Brian epitomizes the Community Policing
philosophy that the department strives to achieve. He and Drigon
are constantly out of the car meeting people, particularly in
the Historic Cocoa Village area of the city. He conducts
frequent Canine Unit demonstrations, often with very short
notice, and is always well received. Brian was selected by a
committee of his peers to represent the Cocoa Police Department
as the Officer of the Year due to his consistent, daily
performance. Please join the members of the Cocoa Police
Department in congratulating Officer Brian Delos-Santos for
being named Officer of the Year for 2001!
***********
On Sunday 11/30/03, at 18:30hrs, K-9 Drigon, a retired Cocoa, FL
Police SWAT/ Patrol/ Narcotics detection dog, passed away in
his home due to cancer. His death was unexpected because he was
his usual high drive, playful self until the very end and did
not show any signs of illness. My wife and I left for an hour to
pick up dinner- when we left he left us at the door tail wagging
as usual. When we returned an hour later, Drigon was dead in a
back bathroom of the house. Although I tried to revive him, it
was later found that there was nothing I could do. He died due
to massive internal bleeding caused by undetected cancer in his
spleen. He had just passed his physical 3 weeks ago, this cancer
went undetected. Drigon gave 5 good years to the Cocoa PD. He
saved my *ss more times than I can count. More importantly, he
became my best friend. He recently retired early this year due
to a neck injury and graduated to being a full time inside dog
who loved to tease my current patrol dog, Lido, because he had
to live outside in the kennel.
He was 9 1/2 years old. He was my first working dog and partner
for over 5 years. About 9 months ago, we retired Drigon due to
chronic arthritis in his neck. He was adjusting quite well to
his new status as retired. The doctor determined that he had
primary spleen and liver cancer. He never showed any signs of
weakness. He was tough until the very end--he never even let us
know that he was sick. This is very characteristic of Drigon.
He always put our feelings first and never wanted us to worry
about him. R.I.P.
Drigon, I miss you. Your job here is done-"take a break."
Drigon was his German
name that he came with when Brian bought him. We haven't decided
if we are going to have a service for him yet. We were just
given his ashes today, Thursday, and have not been able to bring
ourselves to think about much. I know that we would like to
honor him with a service, possibly on Sunday. The night Driggy
died, the whole K-9 team came to our house, along with several
other officers. Brian and the K-9 team carried him out to the
patrol car and he got one last ride with the lights on just the
way he liked it. The vet's office opened for us and many other
officers met us there. One officer brought an American flag and
draped it over Driggy's body. He was then given a last salute
by all that were there. I know that it will get easier as time
goes on and we are all too well acquainted with the seven stages
of death. I know the seven stages, clinically, but I now know
them personally. He is survived by Brian's new patrol dog,
Lido, who never really got to know him, his little sisters,
Devotion (rottie) and Nikki (cat). Devotion is taking it very
hard. She isn't really eating and is very depressed. It is
very hard to see them as sad as they are.
submitted by Dusty Simon & Karen
Delos Santos
In Loving Memory of
K-9 D'KOTA
September 22, 2003
Handler: Officer Gary
D'Souza
South San Francisco Police Department
33 Arroyo Drive
South San Francisco, CA 94080
415.671.3108
It is with great
sadness that we announce the passing of K9 D’Kota from South
San Francisco PD. D’kota passed away on 9/22/03 due to
intestinal torsion. She was six years old. K9 D’Kota and her
handler, Gary D’Souza, began their patrol partnership three
years ago. She was Narcotics certified in July 2002. She was
one of two cross trained dogs for the department. D’Kota had
several drug finds and arrests to her credit. Gary and
D'Kota also came out to play at many of the trials this
year. Many of you saw Gary and D’Kota at the Stockton
Narcotics Trial just this past weekend. I hope all of you
will join the WSPCA Board in keeping K9 D’Kota and Gary in
our thoughts.
In Loving Memory of
K-9 DUKE
August 7, 2003
Handler:
Tim Martens
Pleasanton Police Department
NY
RAGS
to RICHES police dog dies in prime of career
By Sophia Kazmi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Duke certainly lived
the dog's version of the American dream. In less than a year he
went from life in a Tracy pound to the life of a top-notch
Pleasanton police dog. The slim, good-looking German shepherd
was rescued by Pleasanton officerTim Martens in spring 2000.
Originally, he was supposed to be a family pet, but Martens
sensed Duke would make a great police dog. After passing
handler and police dog classes, the pair joined the department's
canine team in fall 2000, said Lt. Tom Fenner, manager of the
department's canine unit. "It's very unusual," he said. "It's
the only case I know of where a rescued dog from a pound becomes
a police dog." A few weeks ago, Duke had trouble eating and
began losing weight
rapidly. Medication didn't help. Then a veterinarian discovered
intestinal inflammation that probably had been developing for
months. Martens was in the midst of seeking a third opinion at
UC Davis' veterinary clinic when Duke had to be rushed to an
emergency clinic and put on IV. He died Thursday, only 6 years
old and in the prime of his police career, Fenner said. Duke
was known for his ability to find illegal drugs in vehicles and
homes and on people, Fenner said. He was so good that other
agencies, such as California Highway Patrol and the Dublin and
Livermore police departments, would specifically ask for Duke to
help them out on cases. He also protected police officers. Last
year when a car chase suspect refused to come out of some
shrubs, officers had no idea
whether the suspect was armed. Martens let Duke loose, and the
dog brought the suspect out. He was handcuffed without
incident. "Duke did exactly what he was supposed to do," Fenner
said. "He protected the lives of those
Now down to two canine
units, Fenner has the task of finding a new dog. The department
has funds set aside to purchase and train a new dog. Those who
knew and worked with the Duke, were saddened by his untimely
death, Fenner said. "He was an extended member of our police
family," he said.
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 DAX
May 5, 2003
Handler:
Sgt. Fred Scholl
Illinois State Police
District 11
1100 E. Port
Plaza Dr.
Collinsville, IL 62234
PH: 618 346
3990
Eastwest K-9 is very sad to report the passing of K-9 "Dax"
(Illinois State Police District 11) on 05/05/03. K-9 Officer
Fred Scholl had to have Dax put down due to a serious disease.
K-9 Officer Scholl and Dax trained with Eastwest K-9 on many
occasions. Dax had many large narcotic finds as well as
successful tracks of suspects. Dax will be added to he memorial
section of this site. Our hearts go out to K-9 Officer Scholl
and his family for their loss.
On May 5th, 2003, Illinois State Police K-9 Dax was put to sleep
two days after being diagnosed with cancer. Dax began his
career after graduating the State Police Academy in May of
1996. He and I were partners for 8 years. On our first day of
patrol together Dax began his career quickly with a search of a
pickup truck. This search was within the first 30 minutes of
our first shift together. Dax alerted to the exterior of the
truck . We found 13 grams of cannabis, a handgun, and $35,000
in cash. Dax was off and running. During his tenure Dax
recovered over 7.5 million dollars worth of narcotics and over 1
million dollars in cash. There were many alerts to 5 or 10
grams of cannabis, but every now and then he would hit a big
one. Three of his larger findsinclude 450 pounds of cannabis, 5
kilos of meth, and $150,000 in cash. Dax was also called
upon many times to track criminals or missing persons, locate
evidence, search buildings, and locate cadavers. Dax had many
successes. On one of his last tracks in April, Dax tracked a
car thief over 6 blocks in a residential neighborhood. He went
over fences, across streets, and through dozens of back yards.
He tracked all the way to a side door of a house and then
stopped. Madison County Deputies entered the house and located
the suspect in the basement. Dax was one of the first State
Police K-9's to be certified as a SWAT dog. We worked over 100
operations with the Illinois State Police Tactical Response
Team. He was very social around the team members. But when
called upon to grab the bad guy, he was tenacious. Of the dozen
apprehensions he had, many were while we were working with TRT.
Most of all, Dax was a great friend. After spending the last
eight years with him at home and at work, he became a part of
me. While on patrol, I find myself still talking to him over my
shoulder. He is missed at home by my wife and two boys. Dax
was a very hard working and loyal companion. I miss him
greatly. Sergeant Fred Scholl. Illinois Sate Police District 11.
by:
Eric Bailey
EastWestK-9.com
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 DINA
June 25, 2003
Handler:
Chief Geroge M. Nelson
Chesterton Police
Department
IN
790 BROADWAY
CHESTERTON, IN 46304
(219) 926-1136
Dina, a
German shepherd who served with the Porter Police Department for
four years as its K9 unit, died Wednesday, June 25, 2003, after
a short illness. She was 12. Dina was born in Belgium in 1991
and trained in drug detection and patrol duties at the Global
Training Academy in Somerset, Texas. She joined the CPD in 1993
and served until 1997, when her handler resigned from the
department. At that point Dina was judged too old to begin fresh
with a new handler, and with the gracious permission of the Town
Council she retired to the home of Police Chief George Nelson.
“She did a lot of fine work while she was with the CPD and she
seemed to enjoy her retirement with the family,” Nelson said.
“Dina was great with kids and will be missed.”
In
Loving Memory of
K-9 DUKE
August 2003
Handler: SSgt.
Dan Powell
El Dorado Correctional Facility
1385 NE Shady
Creek Access Rd
El Dorado, KS
67042
Ph: (316)
321-5100
K-9
Duke was trained in narcotics, detection, tracking/trailing, and
patrol work. Duke, a male Belgian Malinois was put down after
his fight with age and arthritis. He served with SSgt. Powel and
trained in narcotics detection, tracking/trailing and patrol
work.
submitted by the Kansas Police Dog Association
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
DIXIE
April, 2003
Handler: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. "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 he 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,"
submitted by Dusty Simon
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In Loving
Memory of
K-9 DELLA
2003
Handler: Darryl Drake
Greenfield Police Department
DEA Task
Force - Milwaukee, WI
Greenfield Police Dept.
5300 W. Layton Ave.
Greenfield, WI 53220
414.761-5300
Greenfield’s first narcotics detection dog,
K-9 Della, a chocolate Labrador retriever,
also died in 2003.
Della, assigned in 1992, retired in 2001 and
lived at home with his handler, Darryl
Drake. Della was the first canine assigned
to the Greenfield Police Department K-9
Unit. Della and her handler were assigned to
the DEA Task Force in Milwaukee for several
years and were very successful.
In Loving Memory of
K-9 DEE DEE
March 7, 2003
Handler:
Sr.
PSO T.J. McManus
Morganton Department of Public Safety
304
S. College St. - Morganton NC 28655
Ph: (828) 438-5290 or 438-5291
Sorry to inform you about the loss of K-9
DeeDee with the Morganton Department of
Public Safety. She died on
March 7, 2003 due to compications from
surgery on her gall bladder. DeeDee has
been with ESWDA since 1999 and attended all
the seminars in N. Carolina since then. She
was an outstanding Narcotics K-9 and a great
partner. Dee Dee was going to be eleven
years old next month. March 13 would have
been our eight year anniversary together.
She was certified by Eastern States as well
as NAPWDA and the Virginia State Police Work
Dog Assciation. She was certified in
tracking as well as article searching and
narcotics. She was an excellent ambassador
for our Department. She was always on call
for not only our county, but for all
surrounding counties as well. She never
missed a call out and always gave her all.
She was also a big hit with all the children
in our county. She had visited every school
in our system from K-12 and always made new
friends. She was my partner and my Friend
and I will miss her dearly. Thank you again
for such a touching memorial. It does help
heal the pain. notified
by:
Officer Randy Howell
*********
In the photo, Senior PSO Tom McManus and his
partner, DeeDee, make new friends.
DeeDee is specially trained in narcotics
detection.
Photo by Pam Walker
I GAVE MY ALL
I
am a deputy in a canine crew.
I
have been trained to see it through.
When danger is near my ears perk up,
They taught me that when I was a pup.
I
am often there to protect your rights,
My presence sometimes hinders fights,
I
never attach with thought to kill,
When subduing one, my job I fulfill.
I
never worry a single thought,
As to how I will fare at a certain spot.
the love I have for a handler's care,
Is all I need, each day to fare.
And if some day my luck turns bad,
I
will relish the joys I have ever had.
To be with men who stand for good,
In a special kind of "brotherhood."
The story's end by now you know,
Of how I tried for a better show,
When I was called and I gave my all
(Author Unknown)
In Loving Memory of
K-9 DUKE
Born: May 23, 1997 End of Watch: August 7,
2003 
Handler:
Officer
Tim Martens
Pleasanton Police Dept.
4833 Bernal Avenue - P.O. Box 909
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 931-5100 FAX (925) 931-5480
Much-loved dog Duke dies - Pleasanton
officers may wear black to honor German
shepherd, which succumbed to an intestinal
disease
By Kim Santos, STAFF WRITER
PLEASANTON -- He may have been a Duke, but
he was the king of the cops' hearts. Duke,
one of Pleasanton's three police dogs, was
put to sleep at 5 p.m. Thursday after a bout
with an incurable intestinal disease. His
humans at the police department are
considering wearing black bands around their
badges, a common practice when an officer
dies in the line of duty. "This is an
'officer down' scenario," said Jim Faggiano,
owner of Dublin-based JAFCO Canine
Management. Faggiano has been contracted to
train Pleasanton police dogs since 1981 and
taught Duke every trick he knew. Three years
ago, in the spring of 2000, Pleasanton
Police Officer Tim Martens, who was serving
as one of Faggiano's helpers, was sent out
on a call from a Tracy animal shelter. They
had a good-looking German shepherd, it
appeared, and it was slated for euthanasia
the next day. Faggiano told Martens to take
a look at the dog and see if it was worth
saving. Martens ended up bringing him back
and helped Faggiano train the
then-3-year-old Duke.
When the dog showed promise, Martens was
selected to become his handler and turn him
into part of Pleasanton's force. Duke became
a patrol dog. But about a year ago, he began
losing weight and was taken to a vet to
check for a parasite. The doctor said Duke
was fine, and Duke continued to work as
normal until a few weeks ago, when his hip
bones started showing through his skin,
Faggiano said. Duke had wasted away down to
48 pounds, a little over half the normal
weight of an average German shepherd. "He
was basically just a hollow shell atthat
point," Faggiano said. "His energy was
waning." This time the vet said it could be
an enzyme deficiency and prescribed
medicine. But it didn't work, and Duke was
diagnosed with a rapidly progressing
intestinal infection. Lt. Tom Fenner said
Duke and Martens were successful in
apprehending numerous criminals, locating
illegal drugs hidden in vehicles, residences
and on suspects, and received many kudos
from the public during demonstrations at
schools or the Citizens Police Academy. The
dog will be cremated and his remains given
to Martens, Faggiano said. There is a
possibility a new canine will be found for
Martens so that a new handler doesn't have
to be selected. Duke is survived by his
"brothers," Robby -- who sniffs for bombs --
and Uno, another patrol dog.
Rags to riches police dog dies in prime of
career
By Sophia Kazmi - CONTRA COSTA TIMES Sat,
Aug. 09, 2003
PLEASANTON - Duke certainly lived the dog's
version of the American dream. In less than
a year he went from life in a Tracy pound to
the life of a top-notch Pleasanton police
dog. The slim, good-looking German shepherd
was rescued by Pleasanton officer Tim
Martens in spring 2000. Originally, he was
supposed to be a family pet, but Martens
sensed Duke would make a great police dog.
After passing handler and police dog
classes, the pair joined the department's
canine team in fall 2000, said Lt. Tom
Fenner, manager of the department's canine
unit. "It's very unusual," he said. "It's
the only case I know of where a rescued dog
from a pound becomes a police dog." A few
weeks ago, Duke had trouble eating and began
losing weight rapidly. Medication didn't
help. Then a veterinarian discovered
intestinal inflammation that probably had
beendeveloping for months. Martens was in
the midst of seeking a third opinion at UC
Davis' veterinary clinic when Duke had to be
rushed to an emergency clinic and put on IV.
He died Thursday, only 6 years old and in
the prime of his police career, Fenner
said. Duke was known for his ability to
find illegal drugs in vehicles and homes and
on people, Fenner said. He was so good that
other agencies, such as California Highway
Patrol and the Dublin and Livermore police
departments, would specifically ask for Duke
to help them out on cases. He also
protected police officers. Last year when a
car chase suspect refused to come out of
some shrubs, officers had no idea whether
the suspect was armed. Martens let Duke
loose, and the dog brought the suspect out.
He was handcuffed without incident. "Duke
did exactly what he was supposed to do,"
Fenner said. "He protected the lives of
those officers." Now down to two canine
units, Fenner has the task of finding a new
dog. The department has funds set aside to
purchase and train a new dog. Those who
knew and worked with the Duke, were saddened
by his untimely death, Fenner said. "He was
an extended member of our police family," he
said.
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Memorials
to Fallen K-9s