The Burlington Police Department lost a key member Dec. 23 when K-9 Alex was euthanized after being diagnosed with stage-five lymphoma. According to his partner and handler, Officer Joe Papsedero, Alex had not been feeling well for a couple of weeks. “He had been seen by his vet and was undergoing treatment for an upper respiratory infection. We had gone through some very cold water while assisting in an arrest at the beginning of the month and I thought he just had caught a cold from that,” said Papsedero.

“Alex did not appear to be in any great pain, but it was hard to tell. He was a tough dog who never took a day off or let me down.” Although advanced chemotherapy treatment would have prolonged Alex’s life for several months, Papsedero said it wasn’t an acceptable option. “I couldn’t do that to my loyal, faithful partner. I couldn't put him through that, so I had to say goodbye and he went very peacefully in my arms at the Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn Wednesday, Dec. 23.” Alex was a member of the department from Dec. 5, 2005 to Dec. 21, 2009.

Burlington Police Chief Fran Hart called the diagnosis “heartbreaking.” “Alex was not just a dog. He was a part of our police family. To lose Alex in his prime was a tremendous tragedy for all of us at the police department,” said Hart. “He and Joe accomplished so much and were regarded as one of the finest – if not the finest – K-9 teams in all of Massachusetts. The response from the entire community was overwhelming and a fitting tribute.” According to Papsedero, Alex was born in Koplotovce, Slovakia in 2004 and was brought to the United States in August 2005.

“We met and became partners on Aug. 22, 2005 and were inseparable after that,” he said. Together, the pair attended the Boston Police Department’s K-9 Academy in 2005 and narcotics training in Boston as well in 2006. “Alex was a dual purpose K-9. He was certified by Boston Police Department, the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) and the International Police Work Dog Association as patrol and narcotics detection K-9,” said Papsedero. “Alex also competed in several USPCA K-9 competitions and did well, taking home several trophies.”

Not only were department members saddened by Alex’s death, but according to Papsedero, his family was saddened to lose Alex. “I can tell you that my family and I are devastated. At work Alex always pulled his weight and then some,” said Papsedero. “He lived to work and loved every minute of it. I know a lot of the officers enjoyed having him around and appreciated the job he did.” Although Alex did not have an official rank, Papsedero considered him to be his partner and a fellow patrol officer.

Alex was cremated on Dec. 23 and his ashes returned to Papsedero, who said Alex received an outstanding tribute from the members of the Burlington Police and Fire departments, Town Hall employees and 10 K-9 units from surrounding towns. “It was an extremely emotional day, but I will never forget what they did for my partner,” he said. But despite the loss, the work continues. Until a new K-9 partner is trained and certified, the department will rely on K-9 units from nearby communities.

“I have already been given the green light by Chief Hart to find a new K-9 partner and the search is on,” said Papsedero. “I will find a new partner and continue doing what I love so much. It will never be the same for me as there will never be another Alex. It will just be different. Alex set the bar pretty high, so my new partner and I will have our work cut out for us.” Papsedero recalled tracking a suspect who was hiding in the rear axle of a 40-foot box trailer. “The suspect was seen running beyond the trailer, but when I tried to get Alex to track past the trailer, he kept turning back to it.

I started to get frustrated, then remembered what we had been taught: ‘Trust your dog.’ I trusted Alex and let him go under the trailer.” The suspect, when faced with Alex, gave up quickly, said Papsedero. “I miss him terribly and will never forget him,” he said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

Ligonier Police Dog Laid To Rest

More than 200 mourn loss of Ando, Ligonier Township's former K-9 Officer Eric Eslary (foreground, with back to camera) of the Ligonier Township Police Department greets a long line of guests offering condolences after the funeral of Ando, Eslary's K-9 partner, who died of cancer. "I don't know if all dogs go to heaven," the Rev. Dr. James B. Simons said in a speech celebrating Ando's life, "But I know that this one did." The funeral took place in the Diamond in Ligonier on Sunday.
A German shepherd named Lord was there, sitting silently next to his trainer/partner, Officer Frank Marks of the Bethel Park Police department. He was joined in Ligonier Sunday by McKeesport's Diesel, Fox Chapel's Havoc, and Forest Hills' Loki — all Belgian Malinois breeds — and fellow German shepherd Wando of Jeannette to pay tribute to Ando, their fallen comrade and former Ligonier Township K-9 officer. "All of these dogs trained together with Ando every Wednesday," said McKeesport Police Sgt. Tim Bliss, who conducts the weekly sessions.
Ando, a German shepherd who joined the township department 2002, was diagnosed July 16 with hemangiosarcoma, a highly malignant canine cancer that attacks the blood vessels. The disease forced him to end a highly regarded crime-fighting career when he retired on July 25. Ando was euthanized Tuesday after a roughly one-month battle with the disease. "I told them the story before we came, and they listened," said Unity resident Mary Louise Biz of her own German shepherds, Jazz and Monte. Roughly 200 of Ando's family,
friends and fellow canines gathered under an overcast sky yesterday at the Diamond in Ligonier
to pay their last respects.
"I'm reminded of the movie 'All Dogs Go to Heaven.' Well, I don't know if all dogs go to heaven, but I know this one did," said the Rev. Dr. James B. Simons, officiate of the 30-minute service held at the Diamond gazebo, as the sun broke through the clouds. At the start of the service, the crowd's murmur faded under the wail of bagpipes as Greensburg's A.G. Lee performed "When The Battle is Over" in leading a memorial procession west on East Main Street toward the Diamond. "Ando was the first K-9 officer in eastern Westmoreland County, and he definitely made an impact on the citizens as seen by their attendance today," said Dan Stevens, spokesman for the county's Department of Public Safety. "He was not just a good dog, he was a good police officer."
Ligonier Township Police Officer Eric Eslary, Ando's former trainer, partner and owner, clutched a charcoal-colored urn containing Ando's ashes. It was ornamented with the dog's metal department badge that was officially retired yesterday by Ligonier Township Supervisor Keith Whipkey. "It's just overwhelming, it really is. I really am speechless," said Eslary of the masses of mourners there to pay their respects to Ando. Latrobe Police Officer Robert Rummell, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Westmoreland Lodge 23, noted that among Ando's 457 K-9 calls were 254 narcotics finds, 57 criminal apprehensions and 91 community demonstrations.
"Some may ask, 'Why such a funeral service for a dog?'" said Rummell, who presented Eslary with an American flag and a flag of the local F.O.P. post in Ando's honor. "Ando would have given his life for his partner. He entered buildings we would be afraid to enter, and he protected his community from crime." After the service, Eslary introduced Blek, a 9-month-old German shepherd and the township's new K-9 officer-in-training, to the community. "I'll be taking Blek to train with the other dogs next Wednesday," Eslary said.

A memorial walk is being planned for September to help pay medical bills and to train a new dog..

submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory off
K9 ANNABELLE
January 21, 2009

Handler: Patrolman John Harring
Billerica Police Departmentt
6 Good St.
Billerica, MA 01821-1807
(978) 671-0900

1/20/09 - Our trusty Bloodhound Annabelle passed away due to gastrointestinal illness. We appreciate all the work she did not only for our department but the many others who she served. Thanks to Officer John Harring who put in countless hours of training in order to make Annabelle the great tracker that she was. Chief Dan Rosa.
Annabell was donated by 832's Deputy Dogs of Adel, Georgia. Please visit their site and learn about the wonderful service they
provide to law enforcement agencies all over the country. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 ABBE
May 1, 2009

Handler: Officer Randy Williamson
New Philadelphia Police Department
122 Second St. S.E.
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
ph: 330.343-4488
nppd@tusco.net <nppd@tusco.net>

New Philadelphia, OH police are mourning the death of the department’s retired K-9 officer, Abbe, a 10-year-old German shepherd.
Officer Randy Williamson, Abbe’s handler and partner during his career, said Abbe died Monday of medical complications.
Williamson noted that Abbe started with the department in 2001. The dog was in Germany and was trained and registered with the
German police.
Abbe was trained as a multi-purpose dog, with a specialty of locating illegal drugs. He was responsible for many drug seizures during his career with New Philadelphia police and also assisted Williamson in many of his everyday tasks. Williamson and Abbe – until his retirement in December 2007 – also participated in the annual Strut Your Mutt day at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds, and they were well-known for giving demonstrations at area schools and for local organizations. “All the children and the elderly loved him,” Williamson added.
He said Abbe was a special part of the Williamson family and will be greatly missed by both his family and the police department. Cremation was performed by the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory of New Philadelphia. Williamson’s current drug enforcement partner is "Ruger," a Belgian Malinois.

In Loving Memory of
K9 ANDY
February 13, 2009

Handler: Officer Jeff Gottstein
Woodbury Police Department
2100 Radio Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125

Woodbury’s first ‘K9’ police dog laid to rest
Woodbury’s first police dog “Andy” is shown in better days while still on active duty with the police department.The Woodbury Public Safety Department’s first police canine was laid to rest last week. For six years “Andy” served the city of Woodbury along with his partner police officer Jeff Gottstein. In addition to serving the community with a patrol presence, the duo made several appearances to residents during events like National Night Out and Woodbury Days, where Andy and Gottstein would demonstrate some of the police skills Andy had learned during training.
But Andy’s career was cut short in 2007, when it was discovered he had early signs of a degenerative spinal condition. The German Shepherd spent his retirement in the Gottstein home, but complications from his condition led Gottstein to make the difficult decision to put Andy to sleep Friday, Feb. 20. “It’s a tough loss, because when you’re a K9 officer, you spend more time with your dog than anyone else, even your family,” Gottstein said. “He was a great partner.” Andy’s career with Gottstein included achievements like apprehending a car thief and tracking a missing child for nearly two miles before finding the little boy.
Gottstein and fellow canine officer Jason Posel and his first canine Shadow, spent many hours in training with their dogs, where the dogs earned many certifications such as narcotics and criminal apprehension. But during his tenure serving the public safety department, Andy never got into a physical confrontation, proof of the psychological deterrent police canines have on suspects, Gottstein said. Gottstein said Andy had been suffering from Degenerative Myelopathy since 2007, a disease that more commonly affects German Shepherds than other breeds.
“We noticed that at first he was having some trouble with his back paws,” Gottstein said. “But it got worse.” Gottstein took Andy to see veterinarians at the University of Minnesota, where he received his diagnosis. Andy’s condition worsened over the last two years, but he was able to continue to maneuver his body around the Gottstein home even after he lost the use of his hind legs, with the help of a doggie wheel chair. “He did real well in the wheel chair, it kept him moving for quite some time,” Gottstein said.
Gottstein said Andy had such a strong drive to perform as a police dog that, even in retirement, he would watch the TV show COPS, and bark at the suspects until they were apprehended. “I know that after each episode of COPS, he was thinking ‘I still got it!,’” Gottstein kidded. After Andy’s retirement, Gottstein received a new canine partner, Levi, who learned a lot from his predecessor, Gottstein said. “You could tell that when the two were in the backyard, Levi was watching Andy,” he said. “Even when Andy wasn’t able to move well, he might hear something and perk up his ears.
Levi watched how he responded to the noise and did the same thing.” Posel’s canine partner, Shadow, also retired in 2007. Posel’s new animal partner, Niko, is a Belgian Malinois. Posel and Gottstein’s experience with the public safety department’s first-generation police canines has proven the unit an essential service to residents, said director Lee Vague. “There’s so many things they do while on patrol, that the K9 unit has become an integral part of our service,” Vague said. “Andy was our first police canine, and it’s a big loss for Jeff, and a big loss for the department, because he blazed a trail for us.” Gottstein said he plans to create a police K9 memorial, in Andy’s name, to display in the lobby of the Woodbury Public Safety Department. For nearly 6 years the doggie duo of Andy & Shadow served the city as police dogs for the Woodbury Public Safety Department. In 2007, 2 new canine cadets, Levi & Niko filled their rolls.

Facts about K9 Andy:
Born Sept. 9, 1999
He worked for the Woodbury PD Canine Unit from 2001 to 2007 with partner Officer Jeff Gottstein
His favorite toy - a tennis ball
He pursued his police interest in watching COPS on TV.
****************************************
Andy was the first police canine to join the Woodbury police force, arriving in May 2001. Now that Andy is retired, one of his favorite pastimes is watching television. Owner and previous handler officer Jeff Gottstein said Andy enjoys the show “Cops.” “He barks at the suspects on television who are tracked down or apprehended,” Gottstein said. “It’s his version of a video game.” Andy worked with Gottstein for six years before retiring in the summer of 2007. Gottstein said in all his time on duty with Andy, they never got into a physical confrontation with a suspect. “The dogs on the canine unit are a key to psychological deterrence,” he said. This means that suspects often are more compliant when the dog is present. “People will fight a police officer, but they won’t usually fight a dog,” Gottstein said. Andy's career with Gottstein included apprehending a car thief and tracking a missing child for nearly 2 miles before finding the little boy. Andy was trained to be obedient, track criminals, locate missing persons, search buildings, apprehend fleeing suspects, provide crowd control, locate lost articles or hidden evidence and protect his partner. He also was a public personality for the City of Woodbury. Andy is very personable and loves to play with kids. When Andy is retired, he had plenty of time to play. “He has turned to the family life” Gottstein said. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 AKILA
January 4, 2009

Handler: Officer Daniel Hartung

Pittsburgh Police Department

1203 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-323-7800
*E.O.W. - end of watch

WEBSITE - http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/police/index.html
Retired K-9 used in drug busts dies
A retired Pittsburgh Police K-9 died of natural causes Sunday. Akila, a Belgian Malinois, served for nine years with the Pittsburgh police department and had been retired for about four years, Sgt. James Vogel said. Akila was involved in several narcotics investigations and busts that took drugs and drug dealers off the streets, Vogel said. A key arrest about seven or eight years ago involved the arrest of five drug dealers, he said. The dog also made school appearances. The dog, who was handled during his time on the force by Officer Daniel Hartung, was 14 years old. "He was probably the finest police dog I have ever served with," Vogel said. "He had as much sense about him as many officers." submitted by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir. also; Chris.Micknowski@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

DON'T GRIEVE FOR ME
Don't grieve for me, I serve you well
I love you more that you could ever tell
I am now an angel in blue
I laid my life on the line for you
I wore my badge with honor every day
to keep citizens safe and out of harms way
So when you see a badge worn with pride
Remember their comrades and friends that have died
(author unknown)

"Big" Ben lends a hand

“Big” Ben Roethlisberger went back to school Wednesday April 30th. Ben and his father stopped in at the Pittsburgh Police K-9 School. Ben got to meet and greet a couple of the police dogs that his foundation has paid for.
Ben’s Give Back Foundation gives monies to local Police Departments to purchase and training police dogs. Ben’s efforts gave the City of Pittsburgh the opportunity to recently purchase two dogs. Ben and his father became acquainted with Torro & Atos the two German Shepherds the City purchased. Ben took this opportunity to confirm his commitment to local Law Enforcement.
The Foundation has presented grant money to several Municipalities throughout the local area. Ben plans on giving money to every City Police Department that he plays in the National Football League.

In Loving Memory of

K9 ADO
January 18, 2009

Handler: Deputy Anthony Jenkins

Sacramento Sheriff's Department
711 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

WEBSITE - http://www.sacsheriff.com/
Contact Us

John McGinness, Sheriff

874-7146

E-mail

Sac County K-9 Killed In The Line Of Duty
VIDEO - http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=45983@kovr.dayport.com

A police chase in Sacramento ended with a K-9 killed in the line of duty, according to the Sacramento Sheriff's Department. Authorities responded to reports of a carjacking at an apartment on Lewiston Way at about 7:00 p.m. Sunday. A Sheriff's K-9 unit spotted the stolen white Ford Explorer near 47th Avenue and 54th Street and followed it until the two suspects bailed out and fled. The 5-year-old German Shepherd K-9, Ado, gave chase to one of the suspects, who ran through an apartment complex and across 47th Avenue. Ado followed and was struck and killed by a car. Deputies and Sacramento officers searched for the two suspects, but did not find them. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.

Memorial for police dog killed in line of duty 1/23/09
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department officials have planned a brief memorial service for Ado, the K-9 killed in the line of duty Sunday night while chasing a carjacking suspect. The public is invited to attend the service, which will start at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Sheriff's Memorial Rose Garden, 1000 River Walk Way, Carmichael. Ado, a 5-year-old German shepherd, and his handler, Deputy Anthony Jenkins, had been partners since 2005. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir CPWDA
******** more ********* January 28, 2009 About 200 attend services for K9 unit's dog From Kim Minugh: Even the dogs sounded sad. Nearly 200 people gathered this morning at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department's Memorial Garden in Carmichael to bid farewell to Ado, the canine who was killed in the line of duty Jan. 18. The crowd included K9 teams from across Northern California. Some handlers wore black mourning bands across their badges. As speakers eulogized the 5-year-old German shepherd (photo left), whimpering and barking filled the cold morning air. Ado's four-legged colleagues on the sheriff's K9 unit, perched atop a hill behind the Memorial Garden with their solemn handlers, shifted restlessly. Deputy Rick Kemp, a sheriff's K9 handler, described Ado as a "kind soul" who could go from gently licking children's faces to catching a criminal. He said the dog loved to work and raced his handler, Deputy Anthony Jenkins, to their patrol car. "Ado touched many lives," Kemp said.
Jenkins and Ado were a team for three years before the dog's death. The deputy said the loss has been difficult. "It's hard when I wake up in the morning to go to work," Jenkins said. "Seeing his kennel empty, not hearing his bark or his heavy tail wagging is rough." His son, 16-year-old JaMar, said he shares his father's sadness. "It's kind of like part of the family is missing," he said. On the night Ado was killed, Jenkins was working as a patrol deputy on overtime. He got permission to bring along Ado because the dog had been home all day, said sheriff's K9 Sgt. Donna Goncalves. The team responded to a reported carjacking of an elderly man. Jenkins spotted the stolen vehicle, which stopped in the parking lot of an apartment complex near 47th Avenue and 54th Street. The suspects fled the vehicle, and Jenkins and Ado gave chase. Ado was struck and killed by a passing motorist as he sprinted after one of the suspects across 47th Avenue. Detectives later identified the suspects and arrested them after they again tried to flee, Curran said. Phillip Worsham, 18, was booked on charges of robbery, carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon because the elderly man had been beaten during the carjacking, Curran said. A 16-year-old male juvenile was booked on charges of robbery, carjacking, resisting arrest and elderly abuse. The driver who struck Ado is not facing charges, Curran said. During his three-year career as a sheriff's K9, Ado assisted in the apprehension of more than 200 suspects, Goncalves said. That includes suspects who surrendered at the threat of Ado's bite, and those who Ado caught himself.
"He was a good dog," Jenkins said.

In Loving Memory of
K9 AXEL
June 6, 2009

Handler: Officer Annette Harrington
Little Rock Police Department
700 W. Markham St.
Little Rock, AR
401.371.4605

I joined the Little Rock Police Department in September of 1995. I worked as a Patrol Officer for a year before being selected to the Special Operations Mobile Unit where I worked for six years. In June of 2002 I was selected to the K-9 Unit where I was partnered with "Axel" who, at the time, was a four year old German Shepherd. We had great success working together for six years, making numerous apprehensions of dangerous felons. In May of 2008 K-9 Axel retired after six years of service. At first, he didn’t adapt to retirement very well but he eventually adjusted. Unfortunately K-9 Axel was laid to rest on June 6th of 2009. I received a new partner, “Ascar” shortly after Axel retired. After seeing Ascar, the other handlers said that he looked like Chewbacca (from the Star Wars movies) so we now call him “Chewy”! K-9 Chewy has made many arrests and is off to a good start with Little Rock Police Department K-9 Unit. In the summer of 2008, K-9 Chewy alerted on a vehicle where over $100,000 in cash was located. K-9 Chewy has continued to do a great job locating numerous felons. K-9 Chewy has excelled in locating narcotics. He has located over 250lbs of marijuana already this year.
Awards: K9 Axel third place narcotics in the state 2007.

Ligonier Police Dog Laid To Rest

A memorial walk is being planned for September to help pay medical bills and to train a new dog..

Sac County K-9 Killed In The Line Of Duty VIDEO - http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=45983@kovr.dayport.com

Sac County K-9 Killed In The Line Of Duty
VIDEO - http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=45983@kovr.dayport.com