Anthony Sean Pursifull

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Bell sheriff's deputy, dog killed as car hits cruiser

By Bill Estep
BESTEP@HERALD-LEADER.COM

A Bell County sheriff's deputy, Sean Pursifull, was killed early Thursday, Jan. 10, when a suspect fleeing police crashed into his car. The violent collision also killed his drug-search dog.

The teen driving the car that hit Pursifull's cruiser veered off the road and hit the right side of the deputy's car as he sat waiting to assist state police in the pursuit, said Trooper Walt Meachum, spokesman for the Harlan state police post.

"They drove straight off the road, no brakes or nothing, just slammed right into the side of him," Meachum said.

Pursifull, 31, and his dog, King, died at the scene.

Police said the driver was a 17-year-old boy from Delaware. A 16-year-old boy from Pennsylvania was a passenger in the car.

Both juveniles have been charged with murder of a police officer and assault on a service animal. They are likely to be charged with additional crimes, such as fleeing police.

State police were working to reconstruct and investigate the crash; it wasn't clear why the two juveniles were in Southeastern Kentucky, Meachum said.

Bell County Sheriff Bruce Bennett said he understood the teens might have been runaways.

County Attorney Neil Ward said murder of a police officer is a potential capital offense. Before the death penalty would apply, however, the teens would have to be certified as adults; that requires a hearing, and only certain cases meet the criteria.

Bennett said he hoped the two teens would be tried as adults, convicted and sentenced to death.

"They've taken the life of a fine young man, a young officer, a young father, for no reason," Bennett said.

Bennett said Pursifull had been a police officer with his department for about four years and had been with the Pineville police department earlier. He was married and had two young daughters, the sheriff said.

Police did not release the names of the suspects because they are under 18. They are being held in Adair County, which has a regional juvenile-detention facility.

Didn't pay for gas

The chase started after employees at an Exxon station in Baxter, in neighboring Harlan County, reported that someone had driven off without paying for gas about 12:30 a.m. Troopers Rob Farley and Ken Abner saw the car, a black 2002 Mazda, traveling south on U.S. 119 and clocked it speeding 16 mph over the limit, state police said.

The officers tried to stop the car, but the driver sped away and police chased the car toward Bell County.

The chase covered about 25 miles. The teen driver hit speeds above 100 miles an hour at times and forced several cars off the road, Ward said.

State police called ahead to Bell County to see whether an officer was available and Pursifull responded, Bennett said.

Pursifull was parked beside the road, his blue lights on, waiting to help state police when the driver of the Mazda crossed the road and hit him. Police had been chasing the teen southbound; Pursifull was parked off the northbound side of the road, state police said.

The collision occurred at Page, 3 or 4 miles from Pineville. The teens' car rammed almost all the way through the deputy's cruiser, Meachum said.

Another state police officer was stationed just past the crash site, getting ready to put out spikes to deflate the tires on the Mazda before the chase entered Pineville, Meachum said.

The two teens received minor injuries. They were treated at the hospital in Pineville before being jailed.

Bennett said Pursifull was an excellent police officer, and that Pursifull and King were very close. The dog will be recognized along with the officer, he said.

It has been many years since a Bell County police officer was killed in the line of duty.

"It's a difficult time," Bennett said.

Visitation for Pursifull will be Saturday, Jan. 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home in Pineville. The funeral will be Sunday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. in the gymnasium at Bell County High School.

Pursifull is survived by his wife, Melonie Deana Horn Pursifull; daughters Victoria Alexis and Franki Seantae; mother Bernice Mills; and other relatives.

The Bell County Sheriff’s Office has set up a memorial fund for Pursifull’s family. Donations can be mailed to Anthony Sean Pursifull Memorial Fund, First State Financial, P.O. Box 37, Pineville, Ky. 40977, or dropped off at any First State Financial location.

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kentucky/obituary.aspx?n=anthony-sean-pursifull&pid=101077744#ixzz1UdYwww9Y

 

Anthony Sean Pursifull

  |   Visit Guest Book

 

Bell sheriff's deputy, dog killed as car hits cruiser

By Bill Estep
BESTEP@HERALD-LEADER.COM

A Bell County sheriff's deputy, Sean Pursifull, was killed early Thursday, Jan. 10, when a suspect fleeing police crashed into his car. The violent collision also killed his drug-search dog.

The teen driving the car that hit Pursifull's cruiser veered off the road and hit the right side of the deputy's car as he sat waiting to assist state police in the pursuit, said Trooper Walt Meachum, spokesman for the Harlan state police post.

"They drove straight off the road, no brakes or nothing, just slammed right into the side of him," Meachum said.

Pursifull, 31, and his dog, King, died at the scene.

Police said the driver was a 17-year-old boy from Delaware. A 16-year-old boy from Pennsylvania was a passenger in the car.

Both juveniles have been charged with murder of a police officer and assault on a service animal. They are likely to be charged with additional crimes, such as fleeing police.

State police were working to reconstruct and investigate the crash; it wasn't clear why the two juveniles were in Southeastern Kentucky, Meachum said.

Bell County Sheriff Bruce Bennett said he understood the teens might have been runaways.

County Attorney Neil Ward said murder of a police officer is a potential capital offense. Before the death penalty would apply, however, the teens would have to be certified as adults; that requires a hearing, and only certain cases meet the criteria.

Bennett said he hoped the two teens would be tried as adults, convicted and sentenced to death.

"They've taken the life of a fine young man, a young officer, a young father, for no reason," Bennett said.

Bennett said Pursifull had been a police officer with his department for about four years and had been with the Pineville police department earlier. He was married and had two young daughters, the sheriff said.

Police did not release the names of the suspects because they are under 18. They are being held in Adair County, which has a regional juvenile-detention facility.

Didn't pay for gas

The chase started after employees at an Exxon station in Baxter, in neighboring Harlan County, reported that someone had driven off without paying for gas about 12:30 a.m. Troopers Rob Farley and Ken Abner saw the car, a black 2002 Mazda, traveling south on U.S. 119 and clocked it speeding 16 mph over the limit, state police said.

The officers tried to stop the car, but the driver sped away and police chased the car toward Bell County.

The chase covered about 25 miles. The teen driver hit speeds above 100 miles an hour at times and forced several cars off the road, Ward said.

State police called ahead to Bell County to see whether an officer was available and Pursifull responded, Bennett said.

Pursifull was parked beside the road, his blue lights on, waiting to help state police when the driver of the Mazda crossed the road and hit him. Police had been chasing the teen southbound; Pursifull was parked off the northbound side of the road, state police said.

The collision occurred at Page, 3 or 4 miles from Pineville. The teens' car rammed almost all the way through the deputy's cruiser, Meachum said.

Another state police officer was stationed just past the crash site, getting ready to put out spikes to deflate the tires on the Mazda before the chase entered Pineville, Meachum said.

The two teens received minor injuries. They were treated at the hospital in Pineville before being jailed.

Bennett said Pursifull was an excellent police officer, and that Pursifull and King were very close. The dog will be recognized along with the officer, he said.

It has been many years since a Bell County police officer was killed in the line of duty.

"It's a difficult time," Bennett said.

Visitation for Pursifull will be Saturday, Jan. 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home in Pineville. The funeral will be Sunday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. in the gymnasium at Bell County High School.

Pursifull is survived by his wife, Melonie Deana Horn Pursifull; daughters Victoria Alexis and Franki Seantae; mother Bernice Mills; and other relatives.

The Bell County Sheriff’s Office has set up a memorial fund for Pursifull’s family. Donations can be mailed to Anthony Sean Pursifull Memorial Fund, First State Financial, P.O. Box 37, Pineville, Ky. 40977, or dropped off at any First State Financial location.

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kentucky/obituary.aspx?n=anthony-sean-pursifull&pid=101077744#ixzz1UdYwww9Y

 

 

 

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In Loving Memory of
K9 KERO

 JULY 5, 2008

In Loving Memory of
K9 KODY
December 25, 2008

K9 Kody, 8 years old, assisted by his partner, Officer Jamie Ralston, had a very successful and distinguished career. Kody joined the department in 2000 and hit the streets with Officer Ralston after being certified and trained in Evansville, Ind. He was the youngest dog in his training class but soon proved to be a valuable asset to the MPD.
Kody had numerous memorable arrests and incidents. He once apprehended a burglar by pushing him through a closed window. He also apprehended a burglar who had stolen more than $100,000 and he also found the money that a thief had taken as well. Kody also caught a murderer who fled a traffic stop where the victim was found shot to death inside the car. These few cases explain why Kody and Officer Ralston won awards in police K9 competitions and were widely recognized as one of the finest K9 partner teams in the Midwest.  Kody was a great tempered dog. He was well known in the schools in Marion by the students. He was also a huge hit with the children at the FOP's annual Cops and Kids Day where children receive Christmas presents. Kody was there posing for pictures with the kids only 12 days before his death.  The MPD has had a long history of outstanding police K9s. Officer Norm Ratterman and his partner, Bullet, still patrol the streets of Marion but hope to continue to be able to provide the same level of service to the citizens of the City of Marion and Marion County by acquiring another police canine. The police department budget does not allow for the purchase of another police K9 at the time, the press release states, but the department is exploring every avenue to be able to bring another top-notch police dog to Marion.  submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
MORE:
City Officer, Canine Compete Against The Best
06-17-2008 Marion City Police Patrolman Jamie Ralston and his canine Kody recently took 6th place out of 48 participants in the United States Police Canine Association region 5 field trials held in West Chester, Ohio June 11th through the 13th. Four different states sent team the event which certifies polices canines. The canines are judged on their abilities to perform various actions that they would use in typical street work.Patrolman Ralston and Kody finished 4th in obedience, 4th in suspect search, and 8th in criminal apprehension.Canine unit supervisor Lt. Matt Bayles stated, “I am very proud of what Jamie and Kody were able to accomplish at the USPCA trials this year.”Patrolman Norm Ratterman and his canine Silver Bullet also competed in the competition. Jamie and Kody finished just 13 points out of first place in the competition, which featured nationally recognized teams.“4 of the 5 teams ahead of them were from the Cincinnati Police team which won a recent National Championship,” Lt. Bayles said. “With a little luck, he might have finished as the number one dog in a four state regional.” Bayles concluded by saying, “The Marion City Police Department and the citizens of Marion have a lot to be proud of.”

In Loving Memory of
K9 KARLO
October 10, 2008
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Handler: Officer Scott Fisher
Cypress Police Department
5275 Orange Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
Phone: 714-229-6600 - Fax: 714-229-8957

(photos: Karlo served the Cypress Police Department for four year - Karlo working with Cypress Police Department SWAT) Retired Cypress K-9 dies at home
Officers are mourning the death of "Karlo Sorex," a long coat German Shepherd who helped fight crime for a half decade, Cypress Police Department Sgt. Tom Bruce reported. The 12-year-old former police K-9 died at home Friday after having retired from Cypress police more than four years ago, Bruce said in a written statement. "Karlo" was born in Slovakia in October 1996 before he migrated to the U.S. in January 1999. He and his handler Officer Scott Fisher assisted SWAT, patrol officers and other law enforcement agencies until Karlo's October 2004 retirement, Bruce reported. "Karlo" was also cross trained as a narcotics detection canine and helped patrol officers, detectives from the Special Enforcement Team, and outside law enforcement agencies in locating illegal narcotics concealed by suspects, Bruce reported. Submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

The playful side of Karlo.

Kye, police dog at center of custody suit, dies
  The Pleasantville police dog at the center of a 2001 custody battle died over the weekend. His former partner who fought to keep him was by his side.  Kye was just 5 years old when Officer Tom Price was transferred off K-9 duty and then injured on the job in April 2000. The two had worked - and lived - together for two years.
After Price was told he could not even see the dog, he filed suit against the city and Police Department to recover the costs incurred while he cared for Kye. He later sued to take Kye home, citing the dog's hip problems.  Richard Gray, the police chief at the time, said the dog - who he said was cleared for work by a veterinarian - was city property and would remain in the department's K-9 kennel until Price's return or until the dog was assigned a new partner.
Animal-rights activists railed against the dog's being holed up in a small kennel when there was someone willing to take care of him. The chief said the city had put a lot of money into the dog, and that good police dogs don't retire at 5 years old.
 Eventually, the city settled, allowing Kye to live with Price. The two, along with two other dogs who have since died, lived together in Galloway Township. As Kye aged, pills taken for his hip dysplasia, a degenerative joint disease, took their toll on his kidneys, friend April Van Daley said. Recently, things started getting bad. A couple of weeks ago, he was no longer able to walk on his own. Van Daley asked Price to call her when it started to look like it was Kye's time. Price called last week.
"What are you doing Friday?" he asked. Van Daley went over. Kye, who hadn't been eating, got a boost from the visit.
"He ate for me," Van Daley said, a smile in her voice. "That dog got bacon, filet mignon, chicken. He got the world that night." The next morning, Price took him to the vet. Kye had suffered long enough. He died early Saturday morning.
While Kye was trained as a tough police dog, Van Daley, who met him after his early retirement, knew him only as a gentle dog.
"I called him my perfect little gentleman," she said. "He would take the food so dainty from your hand."
His hip condition got him another nickname, Van Daley recalled: "Pepe Le Pew." So named because Kye would move his back legs together, causing him to bounce along like the well-known cartoon skunk. "He lived a great life," Van Daley said of the dog, who roamed in an 8-acre fenced-in property. That was because Kye's story went national - and many responded, she said.
"To all those who took the time to assist in the cause, a great many thanks of appreciation," Van Daley said.
"Know that Kye was loved and cared for, living out his life in the best fashion any dog could have."
E-mail Lynda Cohen:
 LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257
Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008
submitted by Frank Brunetti  PC-GEEK  609-892-7145, and Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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Handler: Officer Frank Post
Rutland City Police Department
Wales Street
Rutland, VT  05701
(802)773-1816 - (802)773-1820

Police dog dies during pursuit - Rutland City Police Officer Frank Post  with King Luther.
A police dog was killed in the line of duty Tuesday night, hit by a police cruiser during a pursuit that started after a shooting in Leicester, Rutland City Police said. Details on the incident in Leicester were not available from Vermont State Police as of 11 p.m., but city police said they had a report of a white Cadillac Escalade headed toward Rutland and that State Police were in pursuit. Sgt. David Schauwecker said Officer Earl Post was setting out spike strips and King Luther, the dog, was in his car, when one of the police cruisers hit the spike strips. “The dog heard the pop, thought it was gunfire, came out of the car and was hit by an oncoming police vehicle,” Schauwecker said. Schauwecker said King Luther had served a year as a police dog. “He was an outstanding dog,” he said. “He will be sorely missed.” Reports overheard on a police scanner indicated that four to five men in a white Escalade with Connecticut license plates left the scene of a shooting on Lake Dunmore Road, later robbing a couple on Wheelerville Road, and abandoning the Escalade in favor of the couple’s Chevrolet Cavalier. Police could be heard over the scanner describing a pursuit along Route 4 to the border with New York State, where the car hit a guard rail. Officers could be heard saying they had two men in custody and another two men had fled into the woods.
Follow UP
K-9 Luther gets fond farewell
Rutland City Police Officer Frank Post, with a memorial wreath for his K-9 partner, King Luther, who died after being struck by a State Police cruiser during a pursuit on Tuesday night. Rutland City Police lost one of their most loyal officers Tuesday night. In an accident that marked the first death of a canine unit in the line of duty to be recorded in Vermont, King Luther, the German shepherd partner of Officer Frank Post, was struck and killed by a State Police cruiser during the pursuit of four suspects allegedly involved in a shooting in Leicester and a carjacking in Mendon. Luther's death also leaves the department without a police dog temporarily.
Post was laying road spikes across North Main Street when Trooper Dan Hall accidentally drove over the spike strip, deflating his tires. Hall lost control of his cruiser and struck Luther, who died at the scene. Post said he commanded Luther to stay in the cruiser when he parked the vehicle near Paul's Cleaners. But the officer said he believes the dog thought he was wrestling with an assailant when he was struggling to deploy the spikes. "He was doing what he was trained to do," Post said. "He was trying to protect me."
The death of his partner, pet, and proclaimed family member left Post and his wife visibly shaken and emotional Wednesday. The pair fought off tears while recalling a companion who spent the last year and one month working and living with Post. "He was like a best friend and a child," said Post, who has a 3-year-old son and two other dogs. "He went home with me every night. He played with my wife, son and other dogs. He was a normal pet. But when I took the work collar out or when he saw me getting dressed in my uniform a change would come over him.
When I went to work, he always had my back." While a certified member of the force for less than a year, Luther answered 150 calls — a number higher than most canine units see in a whole year, Post said. Trained in narcotics tracking, Luther uncovered 16 grams of drugs in a house before he even graduated from narcotics school in March and he successfully tracked down several suspects after miles-long treks, his handler said. But it was his devotion to his owner that touched Post the most.
The officer recalled the dog saving him from a suspect who tried to take a swing at him outside a Rutland bar earlier this year and last week, Luther injured himself trying to get at a man who repeatedly lunged at his owner from the back of Post's cruiser. Post said Luther was in a cage inside his cruiser while he was transporting a suspect to jail last week. "He was trying to force his way through the cage and he cut his nose and a nail on his foot and strained his hind quarter," Post said.
While he could be vicious in defense, Post said his partner was more often a docile companion who was popular with children at public outings and loyal to those he loved. When Post was called away for a week recently, Luther spent the week waiting on the doorstep for his master to return. While devastated by the loss, Post, who said he is taking a few days off from work, said he doesn't blame Hall, with whom he spoke after the accident. "I told him it's not his fault," he said. "I could see he had a blank stare after the accident.
It's got to be hard on him but it was a sheer accident that could happen to any of us at any time." The Rutland County Sheriff's Department is investigating the accident, according to State Police Lt. David Notte. A memorial service at the Canine Hall of Fame at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday. Canine units, just like their human counterparts, are eligible for awards and medals for meritorious service. While no honorary medal exists for canines killed in the line of duty, Robert Ryan, coordinator of the Police Academy's canine program, said he believes there should be one now.
"We're treating him just like any other fallen officer," Ryan said. He's not the only one. On Wednesday, Rutland Public Works Department employees carved a wooden profile of Luther that was planted in the ground next to the lonely piece of road where the dog's body was found. On the pole, a paper police shield was overlaid with a black band of mourning..
another follow up:
K9 Killed in Chase Laid to Rest
The first canine to be killed in the line of duty in Vermont was laid to rest this morning. More than 100 police officers-- including 20 of the state's 38 police K9 teams-- turned out to pay their final respects to King Luther at the K9 Hall of Fame at the State Police Academy in Pittsford. The Rutland City police dog was killed Tuesday night during a police chase. Two of the K9 units who eventually tracked down the suspects attended the ceremony. King Luther had been on the Rutland force for less than a year, but had already gained a lot of recognition for sniffing out drugs. "It's going to be weird not having Luther. I've already called the new dog a couple of times. I'll never replace him. Hopefully we can honor Luther, and be as good as a team we can. And if we are better, it is just icing on the cake," said Rutland City Police Officer Frank Post, King Luther's handler.
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Rutland Police Get New K-9
Rutland police K-9 handler Frank Post is handling the loss of his partner and proclaimed family member King Luther the only way he knows how: He's training a new dog. Two days after Luther, a 3-year-old German shepherd who represented the city's only active police dog, was killed during a high-speed pursuit that crisscrossed Rutland County, Post and the department found a new German shepherd that will begin training with Post at the Vermont Police Academy on Monday.
Named "King Bricks" the 80-pound, 15-month-old shepherd was donated to the city by two police officers living in Bridport. While still in mourning from the loss of his partner, Post made it clear the day after Luther died that he hoped to begin training a new dog as soon as possible. "It will be tough, but it's what I want to do," he said. "I decided early on with Luther that I wanted to finish my career as a police officer working with dogs." Bricks comes from a long line of police dogs.
His father "Scout" serves at the Franklin County Sheriff's Department while his grandfather "Zeus" is a former police dog in Burlington. Normally, Rutland police keep two canine units active. But the recent retirement of "King Riley," whose successor "Otto," a Doberman pincher, won't begin training until later this year, has left the department with no four-legged support. City Police Chief Anthony Bossi and Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras said they're anxious to see the vacant position filled. "I'd like to have one on every shift," Louras said referring to the four police shifts that rotate weekly.
The canine units, he said, make other officers' lives safer by going into places and situations that would be much riskier for their human counterparts. The fear they put into suspects who might otherwise put up a fight also spares officers undo injuries, he said. "They save a lot of potential workers' compensation," he said. Since Luther's death, a number of people have offered to donate money to the city to train a new dog and one anonymous source — the same person who contributed $10,000 to the city to pay for police overtime in February — offered to pay for the purchase of a new dog. That offer proved unneeded since the dog was donated and Louras said he has declined donations to train a new dog, which he expects will cost about $7,500. "I assured people that there's no reason why private funds should be used to ensure the continuation of a city service," he said, adding that the city had the money to train the new dog within its contingency fund.
UPDATE:
Investigation finds no fault with VSP in K-9 death  -  9/16/08
A Rutland County Sheriff's Department investigation into an accident that killed a Rutland police dog found no fault with the Vermont State Police trooper driving the cruiser that struck the canine. "The results of this investigation indicate that Trooper (Daniel) Hall did not operate his vehicle in an inappropriate manner, was unable to see the K-9 run across his lane of travel until the last second and therefore could not have avoided this crash," RCSD Sgt. Rick Putnam wrote in a summary of his accident report. "This was a tragic accident in every sense."
Putnam was called on to investigate the late night accident on Aug. 19 that killed King Luther, the German shepherd partner of city Police Officer Frank Post.  The accident took place when Hall, who was in pursuit of another vehicle, passed over a set of road spikes that Post had laid across the southbound lane of North Main Street to stop the vehicle that Hall was searching for. The SUV the two officers were pursuing had turned off Route 7 somewhere north of Rutland Auto Works, where Post laid the spikes. The spikes deflated one of Hall's rear tires, but the deflation wasn't the cause of the accident. Putnam said in his report that Luther, who Post had ordered to stay in his cruiser, had run into the road and the path of the oncoming cruiser.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA,  photo by Leo Porter & Vyto Starinskas

Coolidge PD loses dedicated K-9 officer
The Coolidge Police Department lost a dedicated and loyal canine officer Monday, June 23. Kaiser passed away due to congestive heart failure. He was the first CPD canine officer to pass away while still in-service. Sick for the last four weeks, partner Sgt. Mario Palacios noticed Kaiser had begun to pant more than usual. Worried of dehydration, Sgt. Palacios asked fellow canine people advice.
He said several of them said that they often give their dogs a summer cut. "So I gave him a summer cut and then worked him that night," Sgt. Palacios said. After a few vehicle searches, he noticed that Kaiser was still very lethargic. "So, we completed our tour and I took him home for the night." Deciding to leave Kaiser home, Sgt. Palacios said he was out walking one day and saw veterinarian Audie Woods of Coolidge Veterinary out cleaning her sidewalks. "I told her my worries of Kaiser being dehydrated and weak," he said. "She told me to bring him over to check him out. She took x-rays and pretty much said he was dying in front of us." Kaiser's lungs were full of fluid. This is what was causing the excessive panting. Woods medicated Kaiser and Sgt. Palacios noted the medication was working. Follow up x-rays revealed some of the fluid being removed, but Woods said there were no guarantees. Kaiser spent his last three weeks at home in his kennel at Sgt. Palacios' residence.
"You know, he was just like me. We'd get up, and we'd get ready for work," Sgt. Palacios said. Kaiser and Sgt. Palacios were partners for 6 ½ years. A Czechoslovakian Shepherd, Kaiser was purchased by CPD from a licensed dealer at Tucson Night Winds Kennels. "When Lt. Shepherd and I first started looking for a canine, we went to the Tucson kennel," he said. "There were a bunch of different canines. We wanted to pick one that fit our needs.  We tested a few for prey drive, to see if they stayed on that location. He had a very good prey drive." Working with canine units for the last nine years, Sgt. Palacios said he had never been a handler prior to Kaiser. Sgt. Palacios and Kaiser underwent eight weeks of training together at the Arizona Department of Corrections K-9 Academy in Tucson on April 30, 2002. Kaiser was certified in both narcotics detection and in patrol techniques. And Sgt. Palacios was certified as a service dog handler. "At first, he was just a work dog," he said. "But later on in our career, then he turned into a partner. I relied on his senses. Kaiser was the first to go into clear a building and helped with other agency assist." Sgt. Palacios had to learn a different language in the process because all of Kaiser's commands were given in German. "You know, they have no fear," Sgt. Palacios said of canine officers. "They do whatever they can do to please their partner, for that praise and good boy command. They put their lives on the line for officers and for the community." Noting what a big part of his life Kaiser became, he also said that he began to have no fear because he knew he had Kaiser right there with him. "He never told me no," he said. "I'll miss knowing I have him there by my side. He did a lot for education. Not a lot of people know a lot about service dogs." Noting what a versatile dog he really was, he also said that Kaiser could clear a building much faster then even a two-man officer team. "He was an officer. He had his state certification through ALECA (Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association), and he had his badge," he said. Kaiser and Sgt. Palacios went through continued training every year. Sgt. Palacios also noted their weekly training at the Pinal County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit. Noting the first time he took Kaiser's collar, he laughed that Kaiser bit him. "I thought, we're not going to get along," he said. But he added that Kaiser only bit him four or five times in their more than six years together.
This occurred only a few times during training when Kaiser was wound up during training. "He gave it his all," Sgt. Palacios said. "The day before he passed away, he was still trying to play fetch with me. Your canine partner does so much for you over time. They become a partner, and no longer a tool." Used mostly for vehicle searches, clearing scenes and narcotics, Sgt. Palacios did say Kaiser had three "bites" in his career. "The first was an assist in Twilight Trails when a guy was under the influence," he said. "He was welding two knives, one in each hand at officers. So, I gave the commands for him to stop or I would release my canine. He didn't stop, so I released Kaiser and he got the bad guy." The second was a DPS assist. Noting that a vehicle had failed to yield near Picacho, the vehicle was headed toward Coolidge. Palacios smiled and said, "Well, we won. Three guys bailed out. We are trained to target the driver. So, I aimed Kaiser at the target and he apprehended the driver." The third bite was during a robbery at Dollar General on Arizona Boulevard. "The luck of this guy, he ran right in front of a canine unit," Sgt. Palacios said. "I told him to stop or I would deploy my canine. So, he doesn't stop and he runs across San Carlos Park. I deployed Kaiser. He barrels down and tackles the guy." Noting that a canine can only be deployed when the incidence is a felony, he also said that the canines are trained to bite and hold the suspect until the officer arrives. "They usually only get a few puncture wounds," he said. Kaiser was around 2 years old when he became Sgt. Palacios' partner. He was 8 ½ years old when he passed away. A memorial will be hosted at the CPD. Lt. Roger Stinson stated that Kaiser was a very loyal and dedicated officer and he will be greatly missed. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

Riverdale police dog euthanized due to cancer
The first and only dog to serve Riverdale police has died. Koda, a 6-year-old German shepherd, was acting sluggish this week, so his handler took him to a veterinarian. Police say Koda underwent surgery to see what was wrong and doctors found cancerous tumors throughout his stomach. The dog was euthanized and buried Thursday at Ogden's pet cemetery. The Riverdale Police Association is planning to install a monument at the grave. Officer Brandon Peterson, who was Koda's handler, says the dog was responsible for dozens of apprehensions in four years with the department. Peterson says Koda was also a good incentive to get suspects to surrender without running or putting up a fight.   submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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It is with great sadness that I inform you of Kuma’s passing. Kuma retired in December of 2005 and has led a very happy and healthy life with our family since his retirement. Kuma was in excellent health when he retired and never missed a day of work. He began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 1999 and had hundreds of apprehensions to his credit as well as countless public appearances. Four weeks ago, I took Kuma to Sunset Animal Medical Center for a routine check of his hips. As Kuma aged, he developed some minor hip issues relating to his work for the Sheriff’s Department such as scaling fences and climbing in and out of attics. As it was a routine check, I was shocked when my vet called to report that Kuma was bleeding internally from his spleen area. Apparently it had just started the day I took him in for the hip exam. The doctor explained that spleen issues are common to German Shepherds and she indicated that the bleeding may or may not be related to cancer. Emergency surgery was needed to stop the bleeding and save his life that day. Kuma came through the surgery with flying colors and was soon home with our family spending time in his favorite spot by the pool. The next week I received the news that the spleen was cancerous. The doctor told us that we had somewhere between 4 weeks and 6 months left with Kuma, but stated that he would be pain free and happy during this time and this was
 later found to be true.
On Saturday morning the 24th of May, Kuma was not able to get off his dog bed. I immediately took him back to Sunset Animal Medical Center and my worst fears were realized. The cancer had migrated to his liver and he was again bleeding internally. Kuma was given pain medication and was made at home on a large dog bed in the surgery center. Doctor Arbios and all the staff were outstanding. They treated Kuma, Heidi and myself like members of their own families.  Kuma received much love and attention and was happy and content all morning. He passed into the great police dog heaven at noon.
All the outstanding medical care provided for Kuma was funded by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Canine Association (SSDK9.com). We formed the association to help pay for the medical and burial costs of our retired dogs that the county would not cover.  Kumas’s medical issues were a prime example of what this money is intended. Without the initial surgery we would never had know if the illness was cancer related and we would have lost Kuma that day. We would like to thank all the generous individuals and businesses that have donated to the canine association over the years. There will be a short memorial service for Kuma on Tuesday, June 3rd at East Lawn Cemetery on Greenback Lane. The service will be at the Garden of Valor at 1:00 PM.  Many of our local police service dogs are interred there. If you worked with Kuma over the years or would like to show support for the canine detail you are welcome to attend the service. This is not an official Sheriff’s Department function.
SERVICE TO BE HELD 6/3/08  - By Joel Baugh K92  -  Submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

Chapel Hill police dog KC dead at 7
Officer Gabe Shinn was partners with Police K-9 "KC" for five years.
The Chapel Hill police dog KC has died of cancer after five-year career of fighting crime, a "saddened" police department announced today. "Early Friday, KC began experiencing breathing difficulty and was found to be in the late stages of cancer," the department said in a statement. KC was seven years old and had been the faithful partner of Officer Gabe Shinn for the last five years, the statement said. A donation from the town's Kiwanis Club of Chapel Hill made possible KC's purchase.  submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

Lafayette Police Department mourns sudden death of K9 Kwando
    K-9 Kwando, the partner of Officer Ron Dombkowski, passed away this evening after a brief illness, according to a release from the Lafayette Police Department. Kwando was a very valuable and effective
member of the Lafayette Police Department and the department mourns his loss, the release states.
Kwando was responsible for numerous felony arrests and apprehensions and was a vital part of the
department's drug enforcement efforts. "He was more than a law enforcement "tool" and was an extremely smart and talented member of the LPD family. He will be dearly missed," the release states. K-9 Kwando suffered a minor injury in the past weeks that resulted in a slight limp. He was taken out of police service to give him time to heal and be treated. During this period of time he became ill and the cause of the illness is as yet undetermined. The illness affected his normal demeanor and Dombkowski recognized that Kwando was ill and transported him to an emergency animal treatment center on Saturday evening. On Monday morning Kwando was transferred to the Purdue Veterinary Small Animal Hospital Clinic and was admitted to the ICU with complicated conditions including kidney failure. Kwando received care from nationally recognized veterinarian staff at Purdue. Unfortunately, his condition continued to decline over the past few days and at approximately 7:45pm this evening he passed away. Kwando came to LPD in September 2005 from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. He was a Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands and was born August 29, 2003. The LPD K-9's are housed by their handlers, cared for daily by their handlers, trained by their handlers, "Work in a dangerous profession with their handlers, and are part of the handler's family, "The loss of a partner this close is very difficult to bear and the department's sympathies go out to Officer Dombkowski and his family."   submitted by Jim Cortina
follow up:
Police, handler remember K-9 - 3/6/08 - Indiana
Ron Dombkowski, of the Lafayette Police Department, receives a handler's leash from David Hughes during a ceremony Wednesday honoring the passing of Kwando. Dombkowski's police dog recently died.
Veteran police officers choked back tears, and grown men hugged. "He was not only my partner, but my best friend and my son," said Lafayette K-9 officer Ron Dombkowski. Kwando, Dombkowski's canine partner of about 21/2 years, died unexpectedly in February. Friends, area police officers and K-9 units from as far away as Monticello gathered Wednesday at Lafayette City Hall to honor the 4-year-old Belgian Malinois. "It's a second marriage," Jim Knogge, a former Otterbein K-9 officer, said about the relationship between a handler and his animal partner. A necropsy was performed shortly after Kwando's death, but the results are not back yet, Dombkowski said after the ceremony. Before his death, Kwando had kidney problems. During the ceremony, Lafayette Deputy Police Chief David Payne took a moment to thank Dombkowski's wife, Crystal, for the sacrifices she made. "You had to worry each working night about two of your loved ones out on the street," Payne said. Dombkowski focused on a lighter moment: The night Kwando made a name for himself. Dombkowski and Kwando had been together for about eight months when the two initiated what seemed to be an unremarkable traffic stop on Lafayette's north end. Dombkowski found knives on the driver after asking the man to step out of the vehicle. On the passenger, he noticed a suspicious bulge, and the man took off running. "This guy was losing us like he was a gazelle," Dombkowski said. That's when Dombkowski hit the remote button to lower the window on his squad car and release Kwando. But the dog took off at full speed toward the driver, who was seated peacefully on the curb. Dombkowski shouted, and Kwando changed course, overcame the suspect's considerable lead and brought the man down by his posterior. Officers found marijuana hidden in the man's pants. At the end of the ceremony Wednesday, Dombkowski walked to a squad car carrying the ashes of Kwando as bag pipes played. The Lafayette Police Department plans to get another dog to replace Kwando, but Dombkowski isn't sure if he'll be the one to handle the new animal. "It's the best job in the world," Dombkowski said, "but it takes a lot out of you when something like this happens."

Follow UP Apr. 08 - 08 - Meet K9 Tommy, (Bel Mal)
New K9 joins LPD - Updated: April 20, 2008 06:03 AM - LAFAYETTE, IN by Sue Scott
 The Lafayette Police Department has a new K9 on the force. Lafayette Police officer Ron Dombkowski's dog Kwando died in February from health problems. He received a new dog on Friday. He is a 1 1/2 year old Belgian Malinois named Tommy. Dombkowski says he chose Tommy because of his temperament and tracking abilities. The dog is from the Netherlands. Officer Dombkowski gives his commands in Dutch. The K9 will be ready to start work after 5 weeks of training. "There are a total of 11 dogs in our county. They get utilized quite a bit," said Dombkowski. "They have had an impact on the drug market here in the Lafayette area in taking drugs off the street and tracking down criminals and apprehending them. They also help apprehend people who flee the scene of the crime. But, their main job in Lafayette is for narcotic detection."    It costs about $11,000 for the dog and training. Money for that was provided by the Tippecanoe County prosecutor's office. Funds recovered in drug forfeitures has been used to buy several dogs in the Lafayette area.   Some organizations are trying to raise enough money to buy a fourth dog for the Lafayette Police Department. For more information or to donate call (765) 807-1200.

The fatal shooting of an aged, retired patrol dog by his Alachua County Sheriff's deputy owner has prompted a new policy to prohibit any future similar incidents. Sheriff Sadie Darnell said Deputy Tom Willcox did not violate any laws by shooting his dog Kozar, is anguished over the fallout from the incident and will continue working. But Darnell added she has implemented a new policy that requires deputies who adopt their retired dogs to have them euthanized by a drug injection.
"He cares and respects Kozar and his current dog. He was raised on a farm and his perspective is that to put suffering animals down, you shoot them," Darnell said Monday. "The dog was 13, old for a German shepherd. He was deaf, he was going blind, he was having difficulty standing and walking. The deputy admitted to me today that he probably waited longer than he should have, but he just couldn't let him go because he cared for him and loved him so much."The shooting has upset some other K-9 officers and animal advocates who say the dog's death was without dignity and showed bad judgment for a dog handler.
People who work with animals, including local trainer Pepe Peruyero, a former Gainesville Police K-9 officer, said shooting the dog was not justified. Critics said the method can cause fear and pain. There is also the chance that the animal may not die immediately. "I am absolutely just appalled by it. Whether somebody wants to say there is no criminal violation, it is ethically and morally wrong," said Peruyero, owner of J&K Canine Academy. "This is a dog that dedicated seven years of its life to the community. It is incumbent on that deputy that when the time comes to euthanize that dog, to do it in a manner which is dignified. I've talked to K-9 handlers and trainers from coast to coast since this thing happened and not one can even fathom doing this." Willcox did not respond to a request for an interview made through the Sheriff's Office. Darnell, however, said he shot the dog because he wanted to end its suffering and that was the method with which he was familiar. Darnell said Willcox put padding on his arm that is used in police dog training "because he wanted Kozar's last memory to be one of doing what he loved and thrived on." Kozar weakly bit Willcox's arm and was shot once in the head with a small-caliber gun, she said.
Another K-9 deputy, Lloyd O'Quinn, was with Willcox at the time, Darnell said. The unit has one sergeant and seven deputies. Darnell said her new policy is in effect now, adding that she understands the concerns of community members who are upset by the shooting. Joy Drawdy, long active in local animal issues, said this case should have been investigated as an animal cruelty case. She said if someone called authorities to report seeing a neighbor kill his dog, an investigation would be done.
Drawdy added that it is stated policy by animal organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States that shooting an animal as euthanasia should be a method only of last resort. "Shooting a dog is not humane euthanasia. This guy didn't know that?" she said. "It's an unnecessary risk. If you miss, it can be a very horrible, painful death. There is no reason to take that chance." Willcox has worked with the Sheriff's Office since 2000 and has been a K-9 officer since 2003. His current police dog is Jet. Darnell said Willcox is an excellent handler and that he will continue to be in the K-9 unit.
It is not unusual for handlers to keep retired police dogs as pets, said Russ Hess, director of the U.S. Police Canine Association. Agencies typically do not have policies regarding how a retired police dog should be euthanized when it is needed because the dog is no longer owned by the agency and it no longer wants liability involving the dog, Hess said. "This kind of incident may have happened before, but I've never heard of it. But I'm not going to second-guess the officer," Hess said. State Attorney's Investigator Spencer Mann said the incident is not illegal because Willcox did not intend to commit a crime. Peruyero said police dogs are sometimes shot in the field when they are so gravely injured that they will not survive and are suffering. Both Hess and Peruyero said officers typically have their dogs euthanized by a veterinarian. 
 submitted by Jim Cortina       update:
Nine Alachua County veterinary clinics have agreed to euthanize retired police dogs for free after an incident involving a retired K-9. Investigators said Kozar, a police dog who served on the force for about seven years, was shot in the head by his owner because the dog was sick. Police said in happier days, Kozar's keen senses were an invaluable service to the police force. "The dog served a very positive utility in our profession," said Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell. She said Kozar's owner, an officer on the force, shot and killed the 13-year-old dog because growing up on a farm, the officer thought shooting the sick dog was an acceptable way of putting him down. "It's not to say the that the deputy who shot his pet did anything wrong. The shooting method is an accepted method under the Humane Society," Darnell said. "There recommendation is always chemical euthanasia performed by a licensed vet if at all possible," said Becky Goodman, of Alachua County Humane Society. In the wake of Kozar's shooting, nine veterinarians in Alachua County agreed to euthanize retired police dogs for free to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. According to the sheriff, Kozar's owner put on a padded sleeve often used when training police dogs and let Kozar bit down on the pad before he shot him because he wanted the dog's last memory to be of something he loved. submitted by Bobby E. Earls, FL

 Two teenagers were charged with murder yesterday after they led police on a high-speed chase in southeastern Kentucky and hit a parked sheriff's department cruiser, killing the deputy and police dog inside, authorities said. "That happens so often. The bad guys walk away ... too many times," said Bell County Sheriff Bruce Bennett, pausing to brush back tears. "Of course, these are young people. But still, they are murderers now." The driver left an Exxon station in Baxter without paying for $38 worth of gas at 12:35 a.m., authorities said. Police followed the car at least 10 miles west on U.S. 119, into neighboring Bell County. Kentucky State Police said two state troopers attempted to stop the speeding driver on the winding highway.
The teens' car veered over the center line at a slight curve in the wet, two-lane road and hit the deputy's cruiser, which was parked on the shoulder waiting to join the pursuit. Sheriff's Deputy Sean Pursifull, 31, and his dog King, a 5-year-old German shepherd, were killed, authorities said. Authorities estimated the teenagers were traveling "well over 100 miles per hour when they left the road," Bennett said. There were no skid marks or other indications that the teens ever braked. When Bennett arrived just minutes after the crash, Pursifull, whom he had known since he was a boy, was unresponsive. Still, the sheriff held the deputy's hand for a half-hour as officers worked around them. The sheriff said he hoped he was able to comfort Pursifull as he died, but he wasn't sure. "I told him to squeeze my hand, and I felt like he did a little bit. But he never spoke," the sheriff said. "We will never know." The 17-year-old driver is from New Castle, Delaware, and the 16-year-old passenger is from Chester County, PA, said state police Trooper Walt Meachum. Neither was seriously hurt.
Authorities did not identify the suspects or say why they were in southeastern Kentucky. Both were released from a hospital and lodged in the Adair County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of murder of a police officer and assault on a service animal. Jerry W. Garland, owner of the Exxon Friendly Mart where the teenagers allegedly stole gas, said he's perplexed about how they did it because the station requires customers to pay either at the pump or inside. "Somehow they got around that," Garland said. "That does happen from time to time." Pursifull "died doing what he loved to do," his wife, Melonie Horne Pursifull, said. "That was his life." Pursifull left two daughters, ages 7 and 11. The older was born the year he became a policeman in Pineville. He had been a sheriff's deputy five years. Bell County Judge-Executive Al Brock said, "It's just a tragedy on multiple levels. This was a $38 tank of gas -- that's what this boils down to."
"I knew him well. He was a fine young man," Brock said of the deputy. Pursifull and his dog made up the K-9 unit at the 25-man sheriff's department. "He was really dedicated to his job. One of the best officers I ever worked with. He was an excellent canine officer," said Sgt. Tom Busic, a K-9 officer from the Middlesboro Police Department who trained with Pursifull. AP writers Samira Jafari in Pikeville and Rose French in Nashville, TN, contributed to this report.
funeral service & comments
Ky. deputy killed in crash is laid to rest Del., Pa. teens are charged with murder
By GREG KOCHER, (Lexington, Ky.) Herald-Leader  Posted Monday, January 14, 2008
Melonie Deana Pursifull leans over the casket of her husband, Sean, with daughters Victoria, in a jacket with "Sheriff" on the back, and Franki, during Sunday's funeral service. They also patted Deputy Pursifull's K-9 dog, King, in his own casket. The two were laid to rest side by side at a cemetery about 25 miles from Pineville, Ky. (Lexington, Ky.) Herald-Leader/PAUL WILLIAMS
 They worked side by side, and they were laid to rest side by side. A joint funeral was held Sunday for a Bell County sheriff's deputy and his drug-search dog. More than 500 uniformed police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians filed by the two rose-covered caskets. The black casket held Deputy Sean Pursifull, 31; the silver one, his German shepherd, King. "Basically, you had a funeral for two police officers today," said Trooper Walt Meachum, spokesman for the Harlan state police post. Pursifull and the dog died when a car rammed into a parked cruiser during a high-speed police chase early Thursday after a gas station drive-off. Two teens, David Poppiti, 17, of Holloway Terrace near New Castle, who was driving, and Eric Gerren, 16, of Lincoln University, Pa., have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and assault of a service animal. A gun was found in their car after the crash. Prosecutors hope to have the teens charged as adults and have their case transferred to circuit court, where they could face stiffer penalties. A hearing on that issue is scheduled for Jan. 31. During the funeral at the Bell County High School gymnasium, the Rev. David Peters, chaplain of the Pineville Police Department, said Pursifull and King were examples to others. Peters said Pursifull had a "let's go" attitude for whatever task he faced. "He poured his whole heart into that uniform," Peters said. "He was willing to pay the ultimate price." The teens allegedly drove off from a Harlan County gas station without paying for $37.95 worth of gas. State police called ahead to Bell County for assistance and Pursifull responded. But as Poppiti approached Pursifull, he veered across the road and broadsided the deputy's car, state police said. "I can't help but think that had that pursuit not stopped with Sean, it may have stopped later with one of our children," Peters said. "If you were to ask Sean right now, he would rather it had stopped with him." And because of King's drug-detecting ability, "the drug problems in this school significantly dropped," Peters said. Together the deputy and dog made 69 arrests in three years, Peters said. Just before the caskets were closed for the final time, Pursifull's wife, Melonie Deana Horn Pursifull, and young daughters, Victoria Alexis and Franki Seantae, went up to his casket. They also went to King's casket and petted the dog's head and fur. Pursifull and King were buried side by side at the Fuson family cemetery about 25 miles from Pineville. More than 900 people, including Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, attended the hour-long service. Police departments from Lexington, Bowling Green, Maysville, Bardstown and many other communities were represented. Several canine units brought their dogs to the funeral, and the officers and dogs lined up at the cemetery as the two caskets were carried to their final resting places. Among the canine officers was Darrell Mongar of the Campbell County Sheriff's Department in Northern Kentucky. He brought his dog, K-9 Rooke, a Dutch shepherd. "Rooke is my partner and we've been together 6 1/2 years," Mongar said. "It would kill me to lose him. ... He's always ready to go to work. He never takes a sick day. "The saddest part to me is watching the family," Mongar said. "The ones left behind is what's sad to me. It's sad that this all had to come about because two kids were acting stupid."
1. Misdemeanor Unauthorized use and missing person report (per TNJ).
2. Misdemeanor theft of service.
3. Speeding/Evading
4. Gun issue is a non-issue because there is no indication that the gun was used, and was not discovered until after the accident (which I am sure will lead to an additional Felony charge). Under Title 11 ss 853 Unauthorized use is a class A misdemeanor.
September 2009 - addition: