In Loving Memory of
K-9 MIKE
December 27, 2003
 
Handler: Officer Matt FioRito
Elk Grove Village Police Department
901 Wellington Ave.
Elk Grove Village, IL  60007
847 357 4100

K-9 Mike dies of cancer - Elk Grove Police Dog responsible for more than 500 arrests and 3,500 calls.  by Patrick Corcoran
It was a one-of-a-kind salute to a unique dog and dog handler.
With sixteen energetic K-9 units from various suburban and northern Illinois police agencies barking and yipping, Elk Grove Village officials saluted the village's retiring K-9, Mike, and his handler for the past seven years, police officer Matt FioRito.   Mike, who was the village's first police dog, was forced into semi-retirement because of cancer in December. Because of the quick-spreading disease, FioRito and police administrators decided to have a veterinarian put Mike to sleep Dec. 27. The 11-year-old Belgian (shepherd) malinois worked up to the end. He was with FioRito at a post-Christmas roadside checkpoint on Dec. 26. Mostly he visited with the officers on duty. Two weeks earlier, just before he was diagnosed with cancer, Mike chased down three prowlers in the process of committing a burglary in the Elk Grove industrial park. He caught the men two blocks from where they were first spotted, hiding in some bushes.    Police Chief Steve Schmidt said the decision to put him to sleep was made when the dog's kidneys shut down and he refused to eat.  Schmidt said Mike's final arrests are a perfect example of the abilities the dog provided for the department.   "The dog's senses are a million times more sensitive than a human being's. How many man-hours would it have taken to catch those guys? When we go into that kind of situation, we try to secure the area, but you only have so many men to secure an area that can get to be pretty large," he said.  The statistics compiled by the police department speak volumes about Mike's ability to sniff out drugs and track criminals. Between April 1996 and December 2003, Mike was responsible for 566 arrests initiated by FioRito and assisted in 298 more. He also had a role in the confiscation of 93,924 grams of marijuana, 741 grams of cocaine, 801 grams of heroin, 34 grams of methamphetamines, 65 grams of LSD, and 17 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The net total of cash and vehicles confiscated as a result of K-9-related arrests was $95,600.   In all, FioRito and Mike responded to 3,500 calls, including 289 in neighboring communities such as Arlington Heights, which doesn't have a police dog, and Schaumburg.
Schmidt said the dog was not only extremely useful in crime fighting, but also beloved by the community.    He's definitely going to be missed. He was very good with the kids at schools and was very recognizable. Mike always walked right behind me during the night parade in June, and it was fun to hear kids and adults talk about our dog," Schmidt said. Schmidt said he received a sympathy card Tuesday and expects the outpouring from the community to continue once word gets out that Mike was put to sleep. The police department still has one K-9 dog, Pack, who was named by children in the community. Plans are in place to acquire a new police dog, but it could take months before the dog is paired up with a partner on the police force. The cost of a new dog ranges from $8,500 to $12,000.  "It takes a lot of dedication on the part of the dog's handler and the dog. It's a big commitment, but we're looking forward to getting a new dog, too," Schmidt said.   submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K-9 Murphy
December 18, 2003

Handler: Cpl. Dan Zakula
 City of Falls Church Police Department
300 Park Ave Falls Church
Virginia 22046 (703)241-5055
email:

Murphy was an all black German Shepherd imported from Germany.  He became my K-9 partner at the age of 4 after having been with another handler for a brief time.  Murphy was known for being a very strong-willed, obedient dog who loved going to work so much that he would bark almost the entire way there!  He was a dual purpose dog, trained in patrol work and narcotics.  He certified annually in the USPCA PD I Trials.  We also made it to Nationals and achieved Triple Crown recognition twice.
Murphy wasn't very sociable when I first got him and didn't seem very comfortable with all the attention my wife and I wanted to give him.  It didn't take him long though to realize he could trust us and he soon looked forward to being spoiled and relaxing while at home.  When he retired because of health issues in 2001, we gladly kept him as a part of our family.  Murphy enjoyed his retirement and especially liked going for walks and playing ball in the yard.  Murphy was known throughout our neighborhood as a friendly and well-behaved dog.  He was happy when visitors stopped by and he'd get all his toys out for them to play with him.
In early December 2003, he began having pain in his neck and shoulders.  After numerous visits to the vet, x-rays and medicinal interventions it was determined that his neck and back neurological issues could not be corrected without major surgery.  The surgery did not even have guaranteed success and, since Murphy was 10 years old and a large Shepherd, we sadly decided the best thing we could do for Murphy was end his suffering.
Murphy was put down on December 18th.  My wife and I were with him until the end.  It was the hardest thing we had ever had to do and we have been very sad ever since.  We miss him terribly.  He was truly the best dog we had ever had.
notified by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA  - submitted by Dan Zakula

In Loving Memory of
K-9 MAX
August 31, 2003
  
Handler: Officer Jennifer Smith
Ocean City Police Department