Retired K-9 Ramzi (Handler:
Officer Tony Quiros), passed away quietly on Tuesday morning at
the Quiros home. Ramzi served the Portsmouth Police Dept. from
2001-2006 as a Patrol/Narcotics dog. He became a loving member
of the Quiros family when Off. Quiros entered the K-9 Unit in
2002. Ramzi or “Ramz” as he was called, had countless felony
arrests, apprehensions and narcotics finds, including several
large finds, resulting in Federal Prosecution. Tony and Ramz
never lost a narcotics case. The K-9 Team competed in the Iron
Dog Contest a few years ago, an event where handler and dog run
a several mile obstacle course and then have to make a narcotics
find or apprehend a fleeing suspect.
They took part in numerous demonstrations over the years and was
used in the Practical exercises during the 6 hour class of
utilization of a K-9, that Tony and I taught at the Regional
Academy for years. Some of you that went through the class may
remember the stories about Ramzi and the “Grandma Melon
Incident,” or the Soccer Games between the “Spainish and Germans
(Shepherd.) in the backyard, or the story of how his tail got
“Cropped.” Ramzi had enjoyed his retirement playing with the
kids and and eating Grandma’s cooking, in fact he played in the
backyard the morning of his passing. We missed him when he
retired and now the Quiros family miss him as being a part of
the family.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
-
Submitted by: Sgt. Rick Humphries Uniform Patrol 2nd Platoon
In Loving
Memory of
K9 RASTA
May 31, 2008
Handler: Officer
Alan Crawford
St. Francois County Sheriff's Department
1550 Doubet Road, Farmington, Missouri 63640
Phone: (573) 756-3252 or 431-2777
WEBSITE -
http://www.sfcsd.org/
K-9
officer Rasta dies - Crawford recalls faithfulness of canine
partner
Rasta, a former member of the St. Francois County Sheriff's
Department, died Saturday. He retired from the department in 2006
after severe arthritis set in. Rasta
was Alan Crawford’s buddy, partner and faithful sidekick. For seven
years — from 1999 to 2006 — Rasta worked for the St. Francois County
Sheriff’s Department as an explosive detection canine. On May 31,
the Belgian Malinois died. St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock
said when they had Rasta in service, he was a good dog, who helped
with many cases. Rasta had to retire in 2006 because he developed
severe arthritis. Soon after, Crawford, a law enforcement officer
for nearly 20 years, left the sheriff’s department to work for the
railroad.
Crawford said Rasta’s arthritis continued to get worse. He could
tell Rasta was in a lot of pain because he would yelp when he sat
down. Rasta was a pretty smart dog with a good nose so it was hard
to trick him into taking medicine Crawford added. Rasta was taken to
the vet this weekend after going into respiratory distress. It was
decided it would be best for him to be put to sleep. “He was my
buddy,” Crawford said. “To a lot of people, it’s just a dog but I
developed a special bond with him.” Rasta came from Vohne Liche
Kennels, owned and operated by Ken Licklider in Indiana.
“... Ken takes pride in his work and has an uncanny ability to pair
up K-9s with handlers and he couldn’t have picked a better one than
Rasta for me,” Crawford said. “To me, Rasta was the best.” Crawford
often put his life in Rasta’s hands when searching for explosive
devices or people who were on the run from police. He remembers one
time when he and the dog went into the woods in Washington County,
tracking a man who had run from police. He said it was night and
total darkness. He said Rasta stopped and put his
nose to the ground but the officers couldn’t immediately see
anything. With the help of flashlights, the officers saw his nose
was near the man’s shoe. The man was lying in leaves on his assault
rifle. No one ever tried to hurt Rasta, Crawford said, because the
dog intimidated people. “We never found any explosives but we never
missed any either,” he said. The dog did pick up the slight scent of
ammonium nitrate once while investigating a bomb threat but after
investigating, it was learned that nitrate scent had nothing to do
with the threat.
Crawford said Rasta was always willing and ready to go to work. “He
loved to go to work and anytime I had to go to court and left (him)
in my patrol car he would prance around ready and willing to go to
work,” Crawford said. “When I would let him out of his pen, he would
run straight to the patrol car ready to go.”
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving
Memory of
K9 ROOSTER
November 25, 2008
Austin Police
Department Service K-9 “Rooster” passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2008
after battling a heart condition for more than two years. Rooster was 13
years old and provided 12 dedicated years of service to the Austin Police
Department and the citizens of Austin. Rooster is credited with seizing over
2.5 million dollars in U.S. currency and narcotics worth more than $557,000.
Detective Russell Overheau of the APD Narcotics Unit was Rooster’s handler.
Not only will Rooster be deeply missed by his handler, but also by the
entire department.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
ROBBIE
October
23, 2008
Handler: Sgt. Jim
Klepinger
Logansport &
Cass County Drug Task Force
Indiana Criminal
Justice Institute
101 W Washington St
# 1170
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-1233
Cass
County K-9 killed by car
The
Cass County Drug Task Force lost one of its own Thursday when Robbie, the
task force’s K-9, was killed. After getting loose from its caretaker that
morning and spending the entire day on the run, the highly-trained drug-detecting
dog was hit by a vehicle on U.S. 35 near 200N at about 10 p.m. The dog’s
death is taking its toll on Sgt. Jim Klepinger, who had been Robbie’s handler
for the last three years. “It’s been pretty traumatic,” Klepinger said
in an interview Friday afternoon. Klepinger explained that he let the dog
out Thursday morning to relieve himself, something he does each day before
he and the dog go to work together. For unknown reasons, the dog did not
return as it has every other time.
“He
just disappeared,” Klepinger said. “I have no idea what caused him to do
that.” Klepinger and other officers spent the remaining daylight
hours Thursday trying to locate Robbie, but they were unsuccessful. The
motorist who struck the dog contacted the sheriff’s department, which sent
its canine handler, Sgt. Pat Zeider, to the scene. Zeider identified the
dog as Robbie and contacted Klepinger. He called Logansport Police Chief
Randy Rozzi that night to tell him the sad news of Robbie’s death. “We
lost a good dog,” Rozzi said on Friday. “That’s what’s bad.”
Robbie
was paid for by the Federal Byrne Drug Control Grant administered by the
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
The
Logansport Police Department covered the cost of training at the Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind. Investments in Robbie totalled about $10,000.
“Financially they’re expensive, and they’re just an invaluable asset to
the department,” Klepinger said of police K-9s. Robbie was a Belgium malinois,
a dog that resembles a German Shepherd in appearance and size, but has
short hair. The type originated overseas and is bred especially for police
work. Robbie completed more than 200 hours in drug detection, suspect apprehension
and handler protection. Since his certification in early 2006, he assisted
in more than 100 drug cases while serving
Logansport and Cass County, Klepinger
said.
Robbie
was key in drug cases because of his keen sense of smell, Klepinger said,
especially in establishing probable cause for searching vehicles during
traffic stops. “In order to get probable cause to search a vehicle, you
need the sniff of the canine,” Klepinger said. That “sniff” is the canine
indicating the presence of narcotics. In general, police K-9s also keep
officers from certain dangerous situations with their ability to take down
suspects with weapons or search buildings at night. The task force drug
dog, which lived with Klepinger, went to work every time Klepinger did.
It was with Klepinger during several drug busts made earlier this week.
Klepinger said it is too early to say what the task force is going to do,
but he did say Robbie will be missed. “They are a member of your family,”
Klepinger said. “Not only do you get attached to them, but your family
gets attached to them as well.”
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
PSD
K9
RAVEN
October
6, 2008
Handler: Cst. Dave
A. Watson
Ontario
Provincial Police Canine Unit
Call
our 24 hour toll free telephone number
1-888-310-1122
If
the saying is true.... "you are best remembered by how well you did on
your last call " Raven did pretty well on his "last call."
One
week to the day prior to his death he was called to assist our drug enforcement
unit and our E.R.T. guys at a 4000 plant
marihuana
grow where 10 people harvesting and processing the grow were jumped by
our officers, one male that fled into the woods
was
tracked by Raven for 3 hours and over 11.5 kilometers through the bush
and swamps leading to a successful arrest of
the
suspect. One of the 2 longest tracks in his career. So if there ever
was a tracking call that a dog had to pick as his last, Raven
picked a good one! Here are some updated numbers regarding the Ontario
Provincial Police Canine Unit, we have 29 active handlers posted in various
detachments throughout the province, 46 active dogs, and a 3 man training
cadre, all handlers have a general purpose dog with many of them handling
a second specialized dog, explosive, cadaver, urban S.A.R. etc.
Raven
was trained in 2002 and was a member of the Ontario Provincial Police Canine
Unit, handled by myself, Cst. Dave Watson, and
posted to Lanark County detachment. Raven died this past Mon. Oct. 6, 2008
as a result of bloat, every effort was made
to
save his life but unfortunately they were unable to save him. Cst.
D.A. Watson, O.P.P. East Region Canine Unit
MORE
About The Canine Unit
The
O.P.P. Canine Unit was formed in 1965. Three teams were trained to
provide a support service for the O.P.P. and other law enforcement agencies.
Today, 27 teams: each consisting of a dog and a handler, are stationed
at strategic points across the province
and
provide canine support for search and rescue operations, tracking wanted
persons, detecting narcotics,
explosives,
cadaver and physical evidence. The canines develop very heavy coats
to protect them against the cold in the winters.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, DIR. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
RONNY
September
5, 2008
Handler: Officer
Anthony Loteck
Millville
Police Department
18
South High Street
Millville,
New Jersey 08332
Capt.
Romanishin, Thomas
(856)825-7010
Millville
K-9 dies
K-9
Ronny died early today in his partner's arms from cancer, Capt. Thomas
M. Romanishin announced. Ronnie had served the City of Millville Police
Department since August 2001, when he graduated from the Camden County
Police K-9 Academy. Ronny was assigned to the Millville Police Uniform
Patrol Division with his handler, Officer Anthony Loteck. During his eight-year
career, Ronny was responsible for dozens of arrests. As a trained narcotics
detection dog, he assisted police in finding narcotics in countless investigations,
Romanishin said. He performed dozens of canine demonstrations for civic
organizations and displayed his caring nature to hundreds of Millville
school children. He will not only be missed by the entire Loteck family,but
the officers he served with and the community he proudly protected until
his passing, Romanishin said.
MORE:
The
Millville Police Bureau sadly announces the passing of Police K-9 Ronny.
On September 5, 2008 K-9 Ronny died peacefully in his partners arms from
cancer. K-9 Ronnie had served the City of Millville Police Bureau
since August of 2001 when he graduated from the Camden County Police K-9
Academy. Ronny was assigned to the Millville Police Uniform Patrol
Division with his handler Officer Anthony Loteck. As a guardian of the
night, Ronny searched out those who wished to do harm to others. During
his eight year career Ronny was responsible for dozens of arrests of those
who thought the cover of night was there friend. As a trained narcotics
detection dog, he assisted police in finding narcotics in countless investigation.
He performed dozens of canine demonstration for civic organizations and
displayed his caring nature to hundreds of Millville school children. He
will not only be missed by the entire Loteck family, but the officers he
served with and the community he proudly protected until his passing. May
he rest in peace.
SERVICE:
The
Millville Police Bureau sadly announces the passing of Police K-9 Ronny. On September 5, 2008 K-9 Ronny died peacefully in his partners arms from
cancer. K-9 Ronnie had served the City of Millville Police Bureau
since August of 2001 when he graduated from the Camden County Police K-9
Academy.
time
and place:
10
AM Thursday, September 11, 2008
Field
behind the police station where Ronnie trained and exercised.
Millville
Police Dept.
18
South High Street
Millville,
NJ 08332
(856)
825-7010
Ronny was assigned to the Millville Police Uniform Patrol Division with
his handler Officer Anthony Loteck. As a guardian of the night, Ronny searched
out those who wished to do harm to others. During his eight year career
Ronny was responsible for dozens of arrests of those who thought the cover
of night was there friend.
As
a trained narcotics detection dog, he assisted police in finding narcotics
in countless investigation. He performed dozens of canine demonstration
for civic organizations and displayed his caring nature to hundreds of
Millville school children. He will not only be missed by the entire Loteck
family, but the officers he served with and the community he proudly protected
until his passing.
photo
by: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpageMay he rest in
peace.
Capt.
Thomas M. Romanishin
Millville
Police Department
18
S. High St.
Millville,
NJ 08332
(856)
825-7010 ext. 7316
submitted
by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir. and Capt.Thomas Romanishin
update:
MILLVILLE:
Community remembers, honors Ronny the K-9 -By TIM ZATZARINY Jr. •
Staff Writer • Sept. 11, 2008
Buzz
up! MILLVILLE -- Ronny was just as diligent at home as he was
on the job.
"If
my kids didn't get out of bed in the morning, he would jump up on the bed
and bite the covers and pull them off," said the Millville police K-9's
handler, Officer Anthony Loteck. Ronny, an eight-and-a-half-year-old
German Shepherd, was euthanized Sept. 5 after doctors discovered
he had advanced bone cancer. More than 100 people, including police
officers and K-9s from Millvile and surrounding communities gathered Thursday
morning on the baseball field behind the police department on Ware Avenue
to remember Ronny. An honor guard brought in a silver urn containing
Ronny's ashes and placed it on a table in front of a podium where members
of the community shared their memories of the dog.
The
Rev. Gerritt Kenyon, a former Millville police chaplain, asked the audience
to not only honor Ronny, but to remember all those who perished seven years
ago Thursday in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Police
Chief Ed Grennon fondly recalled the police dog who specialized in sniffing
out illegal narcotics.
"I
always said Ronny and Justice were two of our most disciplined employees,"
Grennon said with a laugh, referring to another of the department's K-9s.
"They kind of listened better than some people." Mayor James Quinn
recalled how Loteck approached him shortly after Quinn became mayor 11
year ago with a proposal to add a K-9 unit to the police force. "The
passion Tony had and what he put into that proposal is the reason we have
a K-9 unit now," Quinn said. Ronny joined the force in August 2001,
after graduating with Loteck, 38, from the Camden County Police K-9 Academy.
He
quickly took to sniffing out the bad guys, assisting in dozens of major
arrests, many of them drug-related. Ronny lived with Loteck, and
the officer's wife Tiffany and two sons, Anthony and Tyler.
The first night Loteck brought Ronny home, he put the dog in a kennel in
his back yard. Somehow, Loteck recalled, Ronny was able to jump up and
out of the kennel and came scratching at the back door. That's when
Ronny became an indoor dog, Loteck said as he fought tears. Loteck
said he hopes to eventually find another K-9 who can match Ronny's work
ethic. "Every time my Nextel beeped, he thought it was time to go
to work," Loteck said of his partner.
website
by: Lulu Krause, Cape May, NJ
*************
Candle ceremony sparks tribute to
deceased K-9s
1/29/09 - New Jersey
Millville K-9 Sergeant Michael
Colon (left) and K-9 Patrolman Tony Loteck (right), with new K-9 Nitro,
received memory candles in the name of their fallen K-9s, Justice and
Ronny respectively, Wednesday night at Opti RX in Vineland. Pattyann
Lamcken (second from left) and Trisha Newkirk (second from right) worked
on the candles. Two recently deceased Millville police K-9 dogs
received a glowing tribute Wednesday night. Three area women who own a
business that sells natural foods and soy candles presented specially
made candles to the dogs' handlers during a short ceremony at Opti Rx at
Pietro Plaza on Delsea Drive. The candles have an image of the dogs'
badges and a black band similar to the ones police wear on their uniform
to mourn a fellow officer. The candles also came with an attached
two-sided picture frame with a photo of each dog and its handler, and a
poem for pet lovers, "Beyond the Rainbow." They were presented to
Millville police K-9 officers Tony Loteck and Sgt. Michael Colon. Loteck
said he appreciates the compassion that everyone has shown him after the
death of his K-9 partner, Ronny. "Nothing will replace our first
partners," he said. "There will always be that vacant spot in my life."
Ronny was euthanized in September after doctors discovered he had
advanced bone cancer. (Earlier this month, Loteck and his new partner,
Nitro, graduated from a 16-week K-9 training course.)"For
me, it's knowing other people care," Colon said. "I appreciate that. I'm
still dealing with Justice's loss, but this does help." Justice, Colon's
partner, died Dec. 12 of complications related to a stomach condition.
"When we found out Tony Loteck lost his pet, we came up with the idea of
making a candle, and then a couple months later, Justice had to be put
to sleep, and we made one for him also," said Trish Newkirk, 37, one of
three partners in Jerzey Girl Candles, which makes scented candles,
including candles for pet memorials. The candle business is an offshoot
of Nussentials, the whole foods business Newkirk runs with Diane Castor
and Patty Ann Lamcken.
In
Loving Memory of
K9
REX
July
2008
Handler: Chief
Dennis Riley
Independence Township
Police Department
104 School Road,
Aliquippa, PA 15001
Police
dogs help, but cost K-9 units becoming rarer as dogs die or are being phased
out.
Monday,
August 25, 2008 - By STEPHEN J. NOVAK - The Express-Times
Officer
Rex's six-year career with the Independence Township Police Department
was a productive one.
The
7-year-old German shepherd, alongside township police Chief Dennis Riley,
responded to at least 175 calls and tracked down numerous crime suspects
and missing persons as the department's K-9 team, according to a list of
achievements compiled by Riley. Last month, Riley was forced to make the
tough decision to euthanize Rex because of an intestinal condition, sparing
the dog from a painful intestinal condition. Recently the township presented
a plaque to Riley recognizing Rex's role in local law enforcement. "He
played a pretty good role in our township," Mayor Robert Giordano said,
recalling several times the dog assisted community residents in searches
for missing people. "I know he played a big role in rescues." Although
costly for municipalities increasingly on the hunt for budget cuts, K-9
teams can be the key to ferreting out drugs, bombs and people -- both missing
and wanted. "They serve an important function," Warren County Prosecutor
Thomas S. Ferguson said. "The good thing about these dogs is a lot of times
they are utilized in different areas around the county. There's a little
more utility to them, besides being stuck" in a specific town. The expense
side prompted Greenwich Township officials to scrap their K-9 team earlier
this year, at least temporarily. The township spent about $5,500
to buy Zeus, its dog, and thousands each year to maintain the dog. Officer
Chris Tasiopoulos, Zeus' handler, was reassigned within the department
in June, forcing Zeus out of department after a year of service.
Greenwich Chief Rich Guzzo said in June the department may get a new dog
next year, but Friday he said that looks unlikely. "We're probably going
to hold out for a little while and maybe reconsider later on," Guzzo said,
estimating the cost would be re-evaluated in two or three years. Independence
may also have to wait before acquiring a new canine officer. Giordano,
the township mayor, said officials are looking for grants to help them
support a K-9 unit. Without outside money, he said he is unsure the township
could continue the program. However, officials said such programs are very
useful to investigators. "Some people really enjoy the working relationships
they have with the animal," said Ferguson, the prosecutor. "And they simultaneously
provide a valuable resource to the community. It's kind of a win-win."
Reporter
Stephen J. Novak can be reached at 908-475-2174 or by e-mail at
snovak@express-times.com.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
ROBBY
August
21, 2008
Handler: Officer
Lee Bower
PORTSMOUTH
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Portsmouth Police Department
700
Crawford Street
Portsmouth,
Virginia 23704
757-3938020
ph: 757 393 8268 K9 Unit
Commander:
Lieutenant D. Stokes 757-393-5218
Portsmouth
Police Dog Dies - Virginia
A
K-9 member of the Portsmouth Police Department has died. The chief’s office
says “Robby” passed away on Thursday after a short illness. “Robby” had
been a member of the department since 2002. His current partner was Officer
Lee Bower. “Robby” was a dual-purpose canine, trained in both narcotics
and patrol duties. Acting Chief of Police, David Thoroughman says Robby
"served our community for six years and accounted for the search and apprehension
of numerous felons, and the recovery of drugs and illegal contraband in
the Portsmouth and Scioto County areas."
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
ROCKY
August
6, 2008
--
Handler: Agent
Darren Maurer
LAKEWOOD
POLICE DEPARTMENT
445
S Allison Pkwy
Lakewood,
CO 80226
(303)
987-7111
Hero
Police Dog, Rocky Dies
Lakewood
police dog Rocky died Wednesday night after a battle with prostrate cancer
and nearly six years to the day after he was wounded by an armed burglar
in the line of duty. "It's the worst day of my life," Rocky's partner,
patrol officer Darren Maurer, said Thursday. Maurer had cradled the dog
after a vet gave him the injection that ended the hero dog's life. "He
was uncomfortable and sick, and I wanted him to die with dignity," Maurer
said, with long pauses as he spoke to avoid getting emotional. "He was
a great dog. He deserved to die with dignity."
Rocky
had made national news in August 2002 when he chased down the burglar,
took a bullet and helped capture his 20-year-old assailant. His dogged
persistence may have saved his shooter's life, since Rocky pinned him on
the ground before officers could shoot back. The bullet to his paw never
slowed him down. "He was the same dog after as he was before," Maurer said.
A 9-year-old Dutch shepherd, Rocky was born in Holland. He was bought by
the Lakewood Police Department from a police dog training program, and
Maurer had taken care of him since he was year and a half olda. Rocky served
the Lakewood Police Department six years until retired with fanfare on
Jan. 1, 2007. Since his retirement, Rocky had enjoyed a life of pure leisure
at Maurer's house. "He loved to play ball, any kind of fetch, with sticks,
Frisbees, anything," Maurer said. "He would play all day." Maurer said
the relationship with his dog exceeded pet and owner, even handler and
police dog who worked every shift together. "I'll always look back at the
experiences we had together," said Maurer, who left the K-9 unit when Rocky
retired. "It really strengthens a bond to go through that kind of craziness
together."
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
RANGER
2007
- 2008
==
Handler: Capt.
Roger Means
North
Spartanburg Fire Department
8767
Asheville Highway
Spartanburg,
SC 29316-4609
Business
Phone 864 578-1616 Fax 864 578-3157
EMAIL
Accelerant
dog honored posthumously
Roger
Means and Ranger investigate a fire during their days together.
Capt.
Roger Means works for the North Spartanburg Fire Department, but his services
as a dog trainer are in demand all around the Upstate. Means has owned
and trained obedience dogs for more than 30 years, and some of his charges
have gone on to become valuable accelerant dogs, which are used by fire
and police departments to detect signs of arson at fire-scene investigations.
During the June meeting of the Spartanburg County Fire Investigation Team,
held each month at the Pelham-Batesville Fire Department, Means was presented
a plaque and card honoring him and his accelerant dog Ranger's dedication
to their work.
Phill
Jolley, chief of the Pelham-Batesville Fire Department, knows Means is
a serious animal lover, and when Means' dog died recently, he presented
the plaque because he wanted to do something to honor both master and servant.
"Roger and his department support the entire Upstate with their services,"
Jolley said. "His whole thing in life is about training those dogs. People
don't understand how close these dogs are to their trainers.
The
bond is very close. When he lost Ranger, it was like losing a kid, which
is why we gave him the award." Means said he was surprised and pleased
by the honor for the dog he'd raised from a puppy. "Ranger always did a
good job on the scene," Means said. "We also took him to arson classes
in Greenville and at Pelham-Batesville, where we were called on to do the
canine accelerant portion of the class." He said Ranger was a friendly
dog, and he would often take him to preschools and other classes to teach
children about fire safety. "He was just a humble dog who liked to be petted,"
Means said. "He wasn't aggressive, which is why most accelerant dogs are
(Labrador retrievers)." Means said the dogs are also taken through crowds
that gather during a fire because suspects are known to return to the scene.
The canines will sit at the feet of anyone with gasoline or any other accelerant
on their hands or clothing. The technique has led to several arrests, Means
said. Though his companion is gone, Means knows there will be a need for
his help in the future, so he's already trained Stryker, a 17-month-old
Lab, to replace Ranger, who was scheduled for retirement before he died.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
Lorando
D. Lockhart can be reached at 864.298.3816 or at llockhar@greenvillenews.com.
In
Loving Memory of
K9
RONNIE
July
- 2008
- 
Handler: Officer
Mark Dallas
K9
Unit
Dixon
Police Department
220
South Hennepin Ave.
Dixon,
IL 61021
815-288-4411
or 815-288-4181
Officer
down: Dixon police dog served partner, community
Most
dogs don't spend their lives catching criminals. Ronnie the German shepherd
did. Ronnie, who was euthanized last week due to injury, was a K-9 officer
in the Dixon Police Department. His owner, partner and best friend was
officer Mark Dallas. The two were thicker than molasses, which says a lot,
considering Ronnie barely tolerated other people, including Dallas' wife,
Jennifer.
Ronnie wasn't exactly a charmer.
"In
the first year, we worked at night mostly and dealt with a lot of mean
people, so he became antisocial," Dallas said. "He got a reputation for
being mean, which I liked, because you'd go out .125in the field.375 and
.125suspects.375 would be like, 'OK."' What Ronnie lacked in social graces
he made up for in determination and skill, characteristics honed his first
year in Germany, the land of his birth. He was a full-service K-9, meaning
he could, and did, detect drugs, track missing children and fugitives,
and protect his handler. He was worth his weight in gold, Dallas said.
His mere presence could scare criminals into surrendering. The two were
a team, and always together, at home or at work. During the hard days on
the job, Dallas would talk to Ronnie. "He knew me better than my wife,"
the 40-year-old said. "He amazed me every day." Now the dedicated dog has
taken Dallas' secrets to the grave. Ronnie's slipped disk, a condition
he endured for a year and a half, was getting worse, and he developed lesions
on his body. The vet told Dallas that without major surgery, his partner
wouldn't make it much longer. Dallas' decision wasn't easy. Ronnie now
rests under two trees on a hill at the department's shooting range off
Anchor Road. He's buried with his favorite toys. The Dixon Police Department
has two canine patrol units. Ronnie, a German Shepherd that has been with
our agency since July of 2003. Officer Mark Dallas is Ronnie's handler.
Petland
and Sterling has generously donated dog
food to the police department for the duration of the canines service.
The mission of the K-9 unit is to locate people and/or items at or near
crime scenes, and to provide protection and/or backup for officers when
possible and practical. Generally, a K-9 team will be applied as a sophisticated
tool to enhance the capabilities of Patrol or other units at a crime scene.
The K-9 Unit is supportive to all units in the Department and the Tactical
Response Team. The dogs are also used to assist the officers with the ongoing
"War on Drugs". The dogs are used to locate drugs inside vehicles and buildings.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
ROCKY
July
8, 2008
Handler: Det/Sgt.
Michael Belcher
Abbeville
County Law Enforcement Center
Sheriff
Charles H. Goodwin
chgoodwin@wctel.net
Post
Office Box 9
21
Old Calhoun Falls Rd.
Abbeville,
SC 29620
864
446-6000 - 864 446-6050 fax - 800 322-7716 toll-free
Abbeville
law enforcement honors fallen comrade
Abbeville
County Sheriff’s Office investigator and bloodhound team leader Michael
Belcher works with Rocky.
Twenty-five
people gathered in the courtroom Thursday at Abbeville County Law Enforcement
Center to remember a dedicated member of the law enforcement team: a bloodhound
named Rocky. “Rocky began his service in 1999. He was only 6 months old,
but we could tell by then he was special,” Chief Marion Johnson said during
the memorial service for the 10-year-old canine. “Over the years, the Sheriff’s
Office has had many other bloodhounds on our tracking team, some good,
some not so good, but Rocky will always stand out.”
One
of two dogs in the Bloodhound Tracking Team, Rocky was bitten by a snake
while searching for a missing man near Lowndesville in early June, leaving
him with a serious infection. Despite treatment in Abbeville, Greenwood
and Greenville,
he died July 8. “We did everything within our power to
keep Rocky within our agency,” Sheriff Charles Goodwin said. “Rocky was
known not only to our tracking team but to our other law enforcement officers
and to many in the community.” During the memorial service, Goodwin
presented the surviving members of the Abbeville County Bloodhound Tracking
Team with a posthumous Award of Merit for Rocky before deputizing him.
“He’s gone, but never forgotten,” Goodwin said. Officers also recounted
their experiences and memories, including team leader Detective Sgt. Mike
Belcher. “I remember one time when we were out training, Rocky took off
down a hill. For some reason, he went down the hill at full speed and I
thought I could go full speed,” Belcher said. “I ran into a tree, and while
I was laying there on my back, Rocky came up and licked my face, telling
me to get up and go.” Belcher also spoke about a case where Edgewood Fire
Department had been broken into. “We came out, we started from a broken
window and went out on the scent,” he said. “The dog went across the street,
through the woods, down a driveway and went right to the front door of
a residence. He wouldn’t leave so some officers knocked on the door and
were able to arrest a suspect. “Rocky kept pulling on the leash and went
through the woods behind the house to an old abandoned school bus where
we found fire equipment from the Edgewood Fire Department.”
Over
his 10-year service, Rocky helped capture suspects in drug offenses and
bank robberies, he found missing children and responded to shootings. He
was called to assist teams from Aiken, Anderson, Laurens, McCormick and
the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. “I think just about the only
things he didn’t run was a homicide,” Belcher said. Rocky was known for
tracking in difficult conditions, including a blustery day in January 2006
when he was called out to a meth lab. “The minute I walked out, I said,
'There’s no way we can track in these conditions,’” Detective John Martin
said. “I took Rocky out there, I worked him for 10, 15 minutes to try and
get the track. As soon as we got on the track,15 or 20 minutes later we
caught both subjects.” On another search, Rocky tracked the suspect to
a creek, where he began pacing back and forth. Officers found the suspect
buried in the sand at the creek. “That guy, he said, I thought the dogs
couldn’t track in water.’ He learned the hard way,” Belcher said. Each
tracking team member had something positive to say about the dog. “Rocky
was our eyes when we couldn’t see, he smelled things we could not smell,
when our legs were tired, he pulled us on,” Sgt. Barry Scroggs said. Rocky
even attended the events and training with the National Police Bloodhounds
Association -- twice. “They thought very highly of Rocky,” Belcher said.
“These are instructors, guys that do this for a living, and they were impressed.”
The loss leaves the team with one tracking dog, a 3-year-old bloodhound
mix named Socha. “We’re in the process of trying to get another bloodhound
and we’ll go from there,” Belcher said. “If not, we may have to get a puppy,
start from scratch. Rocky was the best we ever had.”
submitted
by Jim Cortiina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9
RICO
June
17, 2008
Handler: Officer
Jamie Mastriano
Richmond
Police Department
50
N 5th St
Richmond,
IN 47374
(765)983-7247
Richmond
police lose K-9 partner to cancer
Rico
discovered more than 200 pounds of pot in 1 bust 6/30/08
Richmond
Police Officer Jamie Mastriano is shown with his late partner, Rico.
Richmond
Police Department recently lost one of its most important furry employees.
Rico, a six-year-old drug-sniffing K-9 dog, was euthanized June 17 after
an inexplicable lung cancer diagnosis. RPD officer Jamie Mastriano said
he spent four years with the Belgian malinois dog as his partner. His voice
breaking, the officer, who's been with RPD about six years, said he held
the well-trained canine in his arms as a Richmond veterinarian administered
the the final shot. "It was a lot worse than I thought it was going to
be," Mastriano said of the day Rico's heart stopped. Rico was responsible
for numerous drug busts since he entered Richmond Police Department in
2004, including one two years ago in which he located more than 200 pounds
of marijuana in a semi-trailer, Mastriano said. Cancer stole the dog's
appetite and breath, and Mastriano said the Monday before his death he
was breathing "really" uncomfortably. For the officer, Rico's death means
the loss of both a colleague and a close friend. "Not only do you work
with them at least eight hours (a day) but then you take them home and
they're part of the family," he said of Rico. "...Kids will play with him
and let him out to run." RPD's K-9 force is now down to two, but Sgt. Dean
Snapp said it would likely find another dog soon. No dog, though, can replace
Rico -- the dog that would never "hurt a flea if he had to" among RPD staff,
Mastriano said. "You get him out one day and he finds you 200 pounds of
marijuana," Mastriano said. "The next day they're just a normal, goofy
dog."
submitted
by Jim Cortina, CPWDA, Dir.
In
Loving Memory of
K9
RICO
June
18, 2008
Handler: Officer
Jackie Everitt
Conroe Police Department
700
Old Montgomery Rd
Conroe,
Texas 77301
(936)756-5588
Heroic
Dog Laid To Rest
Today
was an emotional day in Midland as a police dog was laid to rest. Rico
was an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, who worked for New Mexico DPS and for
the Border Patrol. His owner was Pecos County Deputy Wesley Evans.
Evans said he was too emotional to appear on camera but his wife shared
a few of Rico's accomplishments. Amanda Evans, Rico's Owner, says, "he
has several thousand pounds of marijuana seizures, several thousand pound
cocaine seizures and 160,000 in money seizures" Rico's headstone will feature
flowers with the epitaph "in god we trust,
with paws we bust".
AND....
Conroe
police say goodbye to K-9 Rico
Conroe
Police K-9 Rico was such a part of Officer Jackie Everitt’s family
that he even had his photo made in a field of bluebonnets like most family’s
children. The Conroe Police Department has one less officer who will
be missed by many, but none more so than his human partner, Officer Jackie
Everitt.
Rico,
a 9-year-old Belgian malinois who became Everitt’s partner in October 2000,
had to be euthanized March 18 following a sudden illness. Rico was a dual-purpose
canine, used for apprehension and narcotics, and was trained and titled
in Holland, Everitt said. Rico not only served Conroe, but assisted many
area agencies over the years, including the Texas Department of Public
Safety, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Shenandoah Police Department,
the Oak Ridge Police Department and others. “We traveled wherever needed,”
Everitt said. The best case he could recall Rico working was when he tracked
a murder suspect in Conroe who shot a man then lost officers in a foot
pursuit. “The suspect was not known and would most likely not have been
identified or located if not for Rico,” Everitt said. Rico tracked suspects
for numerous agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, which
he helped by locating contraband such as a kilogram of cocaine from a vehicle
parked at a residence in Conroe. “When all efforts in finding a suspect
failed, officers could count on us to respond and assist,” Everitt said.
“K-9s can help an officer get into a suspected drug courier's vehicle or
storage unit, a suspected drug dealers home and find drugs hidden on a
street corner by the street-level dealers.” The Conroe Police Department
has had seven K-9 Units, but only one remains. Sgt. Bob Berry said Rico
served the department well and they were all saddened by the loss.
“We
know it’s been a traumatic experience for Jackie,” Berry said. “The grief
must be like losing a family member.” Berry was right. Everitt said
Rico was like one of the family. “He went to work with me each night, and
we were called upon on several occasions to go in and look for suspects,
preventing officers from being put in harm’s way,” Everitt said. “He knew
no fear, never questioned me and gave his all each time.” Rico’s
only reward was Everitt’s praise, he said, along with some dry dog food
when they returned home each morning.“He loved people, and many officers
and civilians had the opportunity to get to know him,” he said. “Several
officers enjoyed throwing his ball and playing fetch with him and every
night we worked, one of them would ask if they could throw Rico his ball.”
Everitt’s wife, children and grandchildren also played with and loved Rico.
“Rico will be missed by all of us, me especially,” he said. In a message
sent throughout CPD on the afternoon of Rico’s death, Sgt. Robert Yetter
said Rico served CPD “for many years and his service and friendship have
been in the finest traditions of the Conroe Police Department.” “He
will be missed,” Yetter said. Berry said no decision was made regarding
whether there would be another K-9 Unit.
submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K-
RONIN
June
6, 2008
Handler: Officer
Dan O’Neil
Auburn
Police Department
1215
Lincoln Way
Auburn,
WA
Non-emergency:(530)823-4237
Ext: 201- Fax:(530)823-4202
Auburn
police will say goodbye to one of their own this afternoon.
Ronin,
one of the department’s two police service dogs, died June 6, succumbing
quickly to a lung infection.
The
5-year-old dog died as Officer Dan O’Neil, Ronin’s partner, was racing
north from Auburn to a veterinary surgeon in Kirkland. Ronin’s lungs had
filled with fluid. O’Neil had his police car lights and the emergency radio
running. He said Ronin died in a place and with the sounds he lived for.
“The thing Ronin loved the most was being in the police car and running
code,” said O’Neil, 30. No one’s sure what caused the infection, but O’Neil
speculates Ronin picked up a thorn of some kind in his chest while tracking.
It might have worked through his fur into the chest cavity, where it eventually
abscessed. Ronin came to work the night before he died but didn’t leave
the police car. By morning he was sick. “It was very sad around here,”
Auburn Assistant police Chief Bob Karnofski said of the atmosphere on June
6. “Part of it was for Dan and knowing what he was going through. Part
of it was because the officers know the dogs.” The German shepherd
came to the department from Germany in November 2004 as a tracker and teamed
up with O’Neil. During their service, O’Neil and Ronin deployed on
298 tracks, Karnofski said. Of those, 103 ended in capturing a suspect
and 51 resulted in recovery of evidence. K9 dogs can be either trackers
or work narcotics. The department has another tracker dog named K9 Myk
and a narcotics dog in training. The dogs live with their handlers and
work together exclusively. The bond that develops between them is deep,
Karnofski said. “It’s not a pet. It’s a working animal but you get to know
it and rely on it to protect you,” he said. O’Neil said the 97-pound dog
lived to work. “He had so much drive. That dog was born to be a police
dog and he was good at it,” he said.He recalled one 90-minute track that
Ronin made in Federal Way that ended with the dog finding a pistol tossed
in some bushes by a serial rapist. Anthony Casper Dias was sentenced last
month to more than 200 years in prison; he still faces trial for rapes
in King County.“Few dogs could have done that,” O’Neil said. The officer
said he hasn’t decided whether he will stay a dog handler. Pet Haven, an
animal cemetery in Kent, provides free cremation, an urn and, if desired,a
headstone for all service dogs who die. Pet Haven handled Ronin’s cremation.Vaughn
McPhail, Pet Haven director, said he’s also planning to create a memorial
for service dogs, but hasn’t come up with a design yet.The Washington State
Police Canine Association has a K9 memorial at the Washington State Criminal
Justice Training Center in Burien. It recognizes police service dogs killed
in the line of duty.There are 10 dogs listed on the memorial, including
three from Pierce County law enforcement departments. Mike Archbold: 253-597-8692
What: A memorial service for police dog Ronin, conducted by an Auburn Police
Department chaplain. Area K9 teams and retired handlers and their dogs
will form a cordon of honor.
Ronin’s
name
When:
4 p.m. today, June 16, 2008
Where:
Auburn
Adventist Church
5010
Auburn Way South
Donations:
May be made in Ronin’s name
To:
Auburn’s K9 Fund at Auburn City Hall
25
W. Main St.
Auburn,
WA 98001
OR:
The
Pet Haven
23646
Military Road
Kent,
WA 98032
The
city fund helps buy new police dogs and equipment for the animals, such
as bullet-resistant vests.
More
- previous news item:
Auburn
police mourn loss of service dog Ronin
The
Auburn Police Department sadly announces the passing of Police Service
Dog Ronin. Ronin succumbed quickly to a chest infection on June 6. Ronin
was 5 years old. Ronin and his handler, Officer Dan O’Neil, have been in
service as a K9 team since March 2005. The team actively worked up until
the day of Ronin’s passing. During their service, Ronin was deployed on
tracks 298 times. Of those tracks, 103 ended in suspect captures and 51
tracks resulted in recovery of evidence. The City fund helps to purchase
new police dogs and equipment such as bullet-resistant vests. The Pet Haven
fund goes to the construction of a memorial for all police K9s.
submitted
by Jim Cortina
In
Loving Memory of
K9
REESE
May
27, 2008
Handler: Officer
Josip Peperni
Norwich
Police Department
70
Thames Street
Norwich,
CT 06360
Routine
calls: (860) 886-5561- Fax: (860) 886-4552
Norwich
police dog Reese dies unexpectedly
The
Norwich Police Department is mourning the death of police canine “Reese,”
Officer Josip Peperni’s K-9 partner. Reese, a German shepherd was 5 when
he died Tuesday while off duty at the Peperni family home, Police Chief
Louis Fusaro said. Reese, one of three dogs the department uses, worked
the midnight shift and was responsible for numerous arrests. He was best
known for demonstrations for the DARE program and area civic events. It
is unclear what caused his death. Peperni has been a member of the department
since 2002 and was selected for training as a canine handler in 2004. The
canine program has been in service since 1984.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
MWD
K9 ROBI A162
October 16, 1996
~ March 13, 2008
-
Belgian Malinois
United States Navy
The
following is a summery of Robi’s Navy Career
Awarded
the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal – 02/16/07
Robi
served as Explosives Detection/Patrol Military Working Dog, Security Department
U.S. Navel Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico & Atlantic Fleet Weapons
Training Facility Vieques Island and U.S. Navel Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba from August 1998 to February 2007. Robi provided security for several
High-Level Events, Including The 2002 Organization of American States Conference
in Barbados and Former President Bill Clinton’s 2002 Visit to Cartegena,
Colombia. While at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba he served at the forefront of the
Global war on terror, clearing areas and routes for enemy combatant detainee
operations,
along
with Military Commissions and Tribunals. Robi Distinguished 9 year Naval
Career came to an end in February 2007, upon his retirement where he spent
his remaining days not as a Military Working Dog, But as a family dog and
a best friend. Until a sudden illness took him away from us all to soon.
He was truly a special dog who touched the lives of a lot of people. WE
ALL LOVE YOU. REST IN PEACE ROBI.
We
had to put MWD ROBI to sleep last Thursday due to a sudden illness. It’s
been a very hard few days for me, as he was a great friend and part of
our family. I
served 4 years in the Navy (USS CORAL SEA CV-43). I did not have the pleasure
of serving with Robi. Actually Matt had received an e-mail from Chief Paul
Bettis from Gitmo Cuba, Robi had retired and the Navy vet wanted to put
him down. Thanks to Chief Bettis (who would not let that happen) we connected
up in Norfolk VA. From the first time I took him out of the crate we bonded
instantly. Then we brought him home (We were a little nervous because we
also have a Pomeranian, but the two of them became instant buddies)
Chief Bettis informed us that Robi was not house broken, but to our amazement
I showed him the door outside once and it was never a problem. He was quite
a special dog and I miss him dearly. When I informed Chief Bettis of Robi’s
passing he was heart broken as was his last handler. I don’t think you
will find many working Dogs that have had 7 handlers.
Rob
Rigg submitted by R. Rigg
In
Loving Memory of
K9
ROCKY
March
9, 2008
Handler: Ofc. Glenn
Daniel
Baker
Police Department
1320
Alabama St
Louisiana
70714 - (225)775-6000
Parish:
East Baton Rouge,Louisiana
- E-Mail:
bakerpd@bpd.brcoxmail.com
Baker
Police Belgian Malinois escapes 3/9/08
A
Belgian Malinois trained to find explosives is on the lam from his Baker
Police Department duties after chewing his way through a metal chain-link
fence surrounding his kennel, likely to keep company with a female dog,
police said Saturday. Rocky, who does not have name tags around his collar,
escaped from his single-barrier kennel in the Wakefield area of West Feliciana
Parish, Baker Police Chief Mike Knaps said. The dog chewed his way through
the fence, and Knaps said he suspects it was because of the nearby dog
in heat.
Rocky,
who cost the department about $12,500 because of his specialized skills,
is one of only a few explosives-trained dogs in the state, Knaps said.During
a recent bomb threat at Baker High School, the dog was able to clear the
school in about 45 minutes, the police chief said. Knaps said the reason
Rocky does not have tags around his neck is to keep him from getting tangled
up in areas where he searches for explosives. Anyone with information on
Rocky’s whereabouts is asked to call the Baker Police Department at (225)
775-6000. “The importance of getting this dog back to us cannot be understated,”
Knaps said. “We sure do need him back.”
Bomb-sniffing
dog killed in traffic
The
Baker Police Department’s bomb-sniffing dog, which had escaped from its
kennel last week, was found dead along a West Feliciana Parish road. The
Belgian Malinois, named Rocky, had escaped from his kennel in the Wakefield
area of West Feliciana Parish. Police believe he was struck by a vehicle
and killed some time over the weekend. Rocky, who cost about $12,500 and
was obtained with a federal Department of Homeland Security grant,
was one of the few dogs in the state trained to find explosives, Police
Chief Mike Knaps said Monday. Knaps said the department will seek donations
to raise money for a replacement for Rocky.
submitted
by Jim Cortina
In
Loving Memory of
K9
ROSCOE
Tattoo#:3C-66
February,
2008
Handler: Rebecca
Kamperman
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Airport
Powder Springs,
GA
Roscoe
started his career in 02/1997. He was stationed at the Atlanta
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport,
Atlanta,Georgia. He retired in September 2002 and died 02/2008. Roscoe was
a Yellow Lab Retriever/Shepard mix and was two when he became a custom's
K9 in 1997. Ports assigned previously are unknown. The largest
and most notable seizure was just weeks after completing his training.
While conducting a sweep of an airplane, Roscoe alerted to one of the seats.
After reviewing the passenger manifest, and searching the woman who had
previously occupied the seat, officers discovered that she had swallowed
1 lb. of cocaine. YOU CAN HELP OTHERS LIKE ROSCOE, STOP DRUG SMUGGLING
AND REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES BY CALLING: 1 800-BEALERT.
submitted
by: Jan Everett
In
Loving Memory of
K9 REME
January 1, 1996 - February 6, 2008
Handler: Detective
Sergeant Katy Tougas
Mashantucket Pequot
Tribal Nation
Foxwoods
Casino
submitted
by Jim Cortina
In
Loving Memory of
K9
RECON
January
19,2008
Handler:
Sgt. Henry Fusik
Pittsfeld
Township Police Dept.
6227
W. Michigan Ave
Pittsfield
Township, MI 48108
TEL
(734) 944-4911
Pittsfield
Township's first police dog dies
The
first K-9 officer with the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety
died over the weekend, officials said. Recon, a 12-year-old German Shepherd
that retired in 2006, died at the home of his former partner and handler
Sgt. Henry Fusik, according to a written statement issued by the department
Monday. The award-winning dog was born in the Czech Republic and joined
the department in 1999. Specially trained in narcotic detection and tracking,
Recon and Fusik are recognized for 37 criminal tracks and building searches
that led to arrests, the department said. They worked on cases that led
to the forfeiture of $116,387. The duo was named Washtenaw 100 Officer
of the Year in 2004.
MORE:
The
canine unit was initiated at the Pittsfield Police Department in 1999.
"Recon" is a pure bred German Shepherd and was a full service police dog,
trained in narcotics detection, tracking, and handler protection. Recon
was used in conjunction with daily police activities, including the protection
of life and property. Recon, handled by Henry Fusik, trained constantly
to help make one of the most productive K9 Units in Washtenaw County. The
teaming of Recon and Henry Fusik created a long standing bond of friendship
and partnership that continues today. Recon retired from police duty on
September 1, 2006. Henry Fusik continues to serve with the police department
as a Sergeant. Over their 7-year K9 career, Recon and Sergeant Fusik were
responsible for the forfeiture of $116,387 in drug money. They also conducted
37 criminal tracks that led to apprehension, including building searches.
Sergeant Fusik and Recon received the following awards for their efforts;
Washtenaw 100 Officer of the Year 2004, Optimist Club Award 2004, 3 Departmental
Citations, 1
Departmental Achievement Award, nominated twice for the Golden Paw award,
and the AMW Hometown
Hero Recognition.
submitted by Jim Cortina
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s