In Loving Memory of
K-9  OAKLEY
May, 2005

Partner:  Trooper.....?
Virginia StatePolice
Independent Hill, VA

State police dog left in car, dies - David Stegon Potomac News Friday, June 10, 2005
The Virginia State Police are investigating the death of a police dog, which died two weeks ago after being left in a trooper's car, the head of the Virginia State Police's Independent Hill office said Thursday. The dog, Oakley, was left inside a trooper's patrol car when the trooper went inside his house. When the trooper returned several hours later, he found the dog dead, said 1st Sgt. Roger Clifton.
"It wasn't even a very hot day," Clifton said. "We are looking to see if there was something wrong with our equipment or with our cars that can be fixed to avoid this in the future." Clifton said that he did not know if the dog's handler was being investigated or not.
Oakley was used as an explosive sniffing dog and was the only police dog stationed at the Independent Hill branch. "I handled three dogs over 17 years and they become life family," Clifton said. "Those dogs are your partners. No one is more upset about this than the dog's handler." submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA