In Loving Memory
of
K9 NOVA - MWD
2009 - Australia
An Australian Army dog
has been killed in Afghanistan. Nova, the bomb detecting dog,
died in a car crash that was part of a training operation. A
statement from the Department of Defence said medics tried to
save Nova but she was put down by the regimental medical
officer. Heartbroken soldiers farewelled Nova as her coffin was
loaded on board an RAAF cargo plane for the flight back to
Australia. Commanding officer Peter Connolly said the loss of
Nova had been keenly felt. ‘‘Explosive detection dogs are a
critical asset in our fight against improvised explosive
devices. The dogs save countless lives,’’ Lieutenant Colonel
Connolly said in a statement. Nova will be cremated.
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Nova and her handler, Sapper (SPR) Rueben Griggs, enjoy a break
while on patrol.
Photo:
Department of Defence
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Explosive Detection Dog Nova. The two year old was killed in an
accident at Camp Holland in Afghanistan.
Photo:
Department of Defence
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Explosive Detection Dog, Nova, with her hearing protection on
and handler in tow, on patrol in Afghanistan.
Photo:
Department of Defence
Explosive Detection
Dog, Nova, with her hearing protection on and handler in tow, on
patrol in Afghanistan.
Photo:
Department of Defence
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Australian soldiers conduct a farewell ceremony for Explosive
Detection Dog Nova, who was killed in an accident at Camp
Holland.
Photo:
Department of Defence
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Warrant Officer Darren Murch comforts Nova's Handler, Sapper
Rueben Griggs, as the soldiers farewell Explosives Detection Dog
Nova.
Photo:
Department of Defence
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory
of
K9 NIKO
July 23, 2009
Handler:
Officer
Judy Lieberman
Lathrop Police Department
15597 7th St
Lathrop, CA 95330-8779
(209) 858-5551
U.S Marshall Bit By K9, Shoots And Kills
Police Dog
A U.S
Marshall has shot and killed a Lathrop K9 after being bit by the dog
during an incident involving a criminal investigation, according to
authorities. The K9, which belonged to a Lathrop police officer, was
shot while local and federal authorities were investigating a wanted
criminal in the Lathrop area. It is unknown at this time why the K9
bite the U.S Marshall or why the shot was fired. Authorities are
conducting two separate investigations to find out more.
The K9 was a six-year-old Dutch Sheppard. Authorities say that there
was
a pit bull present in the home when the incident occurred, but it is unknown whether the dog was a factor or not.
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Niko, shown above during a
demonstration, served five years protecting the people of
Lathrop and San Joaquin County and helped apprehend over 50
suspects and assisted in over 400 arrests.
A Lathrop Police Department K-9 officer was shot and
killed Thursday afternoon during an incident involving a
Multi Agency Task Force
serving a fugitive arrest warrant in the 1200 block of Louise Avenue near
Cambridge Drive. According to Deputy Les Garcia, a public
information officer for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s
Department, the police dog identified as Niko was struck by
“friendly fire.”
The 3 p.m. incident also included a pit bull terrier, with
a U.S. Marshall accidentally striking the 6-year-old Dutch
shepherd.
“The dog expired,” said Garcia, who noted that Niko had died
some 90 minutes later. The police dog received medical
treatment for the gunshot wound at a local veterinarian.
Niko was a five year veteran credited with apprehending over
50 suspects and assisting in
more than 400 arrests. Niko’s partner is Judy Lieberman.
The pit bull escaped serious injuries and was locked up in
one of the rooms of the duplex as the Multi Agency Task
Force – included are
the Lathrop Police Department / San Joaquin County sheriff deputies, the
state Department of Corrections and U.S Marshalls,
to name a few – arrested 42-year-old Glen Franklin Hughes on
the felony warrant.
Hughes had been arrested on Wednesday evening when a Delta
Auto Theft Task Force officer noticed he was driving a 2001
Chevrolet Silverado stolen out of Tracy. The earlier
incident included a high-speed 100 mph pursuit that began on
Airport Way and Yosemite
Avenue, continuing along south Manteca and into rural Ripon. That chase
ended in the arrest of another suspect. Dillion Gardner,
30, was arrested on auto theft charges after
being treed Wednesday in a Ripon orchard by Manteca Police
K-9 officer Gage.
Officers indicated at the time they never would have found
Gardner – a Redding resident wanted in his hometown on
multiple felony
charges – if it hadn’t been for the dog. Sheriff’s deputies, meanwhile,
are conducting an investigation of the dog bite while
U.S. Marshalls will look into the shooting, Garcia said. An initial report
from dispatch indicated that ambulance had declined
service for the K-9 Unit. Dana Solomon, chief executive
officer for Manteca District Ambulance, told the Bulletin
that
the ambulance board policy does include transporting a police dog. But
that’s if one is available.
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Services pending for Lathrop Police K-9 Niko
Niko was the K-9 partner of Deputy Ryan Biederman.
Rather than wait for an ambulance, the San Joaquin
County sheriff of the Lathrop Police Department
acted quickly when his canine partner was critically
injured from a gunshot wound by a federal marshal
that was part of a multiagency task force serving a
fugitive warrant last Thursday. Biederman rushed
Niko to San Joaquin General where the emergency
staff had been informed of the injured police dog.
Meanwhile, Medic 51 and Lathrop Manteca Fire
Department were dispatched to the duplex in the 1200
block of Louise Avenue.
“When they arrived the K-9 unit had been taken from
the scene by the officer (Biederman),” said Leonard
Larsen, manager of the Manteca District Ambulance
Service. That’s contrary to an earlier report by the
Bulletin that indicated that service for the police
dog had been declined. “On MDA’s part, ambulance
response was never declined,” Leonard added. “The
crew was advised and they were responding to an
officer involved shooting with a K-9 unit down.”
The ambulance did transport the canine from the
hospital to a local veterinarian, where Niko died
about 90 minutes after the
shooting incident.
The 6-year-old Dutch shepherd reportedly attacked
the deputy marshal, causing what Sheriff spokesman
Les Garcia called “friendly fire.” He noted that the
Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation on
the dog biting incident while the U.S. Marshals
Service is looking into the shooting. Garcia said
Friday that services for Niko are pending. The
multiagency task force arrested parolee Glen Hughes,
42, who was a suspect in several crimes including
auto theft. A day earlier, he eluded police in a
high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle that took place
in south Manteca and rural Ripon. submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA and Roger Bull, LA
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LATHROP - In his first two months on
duty, Niko was twice hit by cars,
once when chasing a felon across a
Lathrop street and the second time
by a carjacker who was fleeing the
dog and his handler, county
sheriff's Deputy Ryan Biedermann.
"He literally hit the ground
running," said Sgt. Steve Walker,
one of Niko's trainers. Those close
calls came in late 2004. On July 23,
the 61/2-year-old Dutch shepherd was
shot and killed by a federal marshal
he had bitten during a struggle with
a wanted man.
Niko's badge number, 21, was retired
Wednesday at a memorial ceremony in
front of the Sheriff's Office,
attended by dozens of people, some
of them police dog handlers who had
traveled from as far as Salinas and
West Covina. Over the course of his
career, Niko collected 57 street
apprehensions and helped with more
than 400 felony arrests. Walker said
Niko was so well known that the
Lathrop restaurant Mikasa named a
sushi roll after him - the Spicy
Niko Roll. In 2007, Biedermann and
Niko were named officers of the year
by the Italian-Athletic Club. When
he took the podium Wednesday
afternoon, Biedermann said he had
never really been a man of many
words, then paused for a long time
before continuing. "I just wanted to
say thank you," he said. "He was
always there. He saved me several
times. He was always fearless and
dependable." The Sheriff's
Office is investigating the
circumstances that led to the
confusion in which Niko bit the
wrong person, a federal marshal
working alongside the Sheriff's
Office to catch fugitive Glen
Hughes. The U.S. Marshals Service is
investigating the shooting itself.
The marshal did not know Niko was a
Sheriff's Office dog when he fired,
a spokeswoman has said. Sheriff
Steve Moore said Wednesday that the
U.S. Marshals Service will help
acquire a new dog to replace Niko.
Moore also said the Sheriff's Office
will build a memorial to fallen
service dogs.
Contact
reporter Christian Burkin at (209)
546-8279 or
cburkin@recordnet.com.
In Loving
Memory of
K9 NERO
June 17, 2009
photo to come....Handler: Sgt. Dan
Smith
Martinsville Police Department
55 W. Church St.,
Martinsville, VA 24114
(currently with Sheriff of
Patrick County - VA)
We had a retired K-9 (Nero) that had to be
put down due to age and
health reasons. I was
Nero’s handler for seven years.
Nero, age 13 ½, passed away on June 17 of this year. Nero was in
service from 1997 until 2006. He was retired and lived with me for the
remainder of his life. He was a tried and true partner and his love and
dedication was unconditional. He had numerous apprehensions and drug
finds throughout his career. Not only was he a member of the law
enforcement family, he was a member of my family. He was great with my
two sons and my wife and he never left our side. I laid him to rest on
my property behind his kennel. I have a photograph of him that I am
going to email to you. He was the best. Thank you for your
interest,
Dan Smith, Sheriff-
Patrick County, Virginia
(Former K9 handler and patrol sergeant w/ the Martinsville Police
Department)
submitted by: Tim Porter
TPORTER@ci.martinsville.va.us
and Sgt. Dan Smith
- dmsmithpcso@kimbanet.com
In Loving Memory
of
K9 NITRO
July 10, 2009
Handler: Sgt. Charlie Walker
Winfield Police Department
200 Cleveland St
Winfield, TX 75493
(903) 524-2020
Winfield drug dog Nitro is killed in line of duty
Winfield
Police officers, along with all area officers, are mourning the death of
Nitro, the Winfield drug dog and partner of Sgt. Charlie Walker, who was
killed in the line of duty as he worked Interstate Highway 30 Friday
morning. "We're just still in shock right now," said Winfield Chief J.R.
Reyes. Nitro, a black Labrador Retriever, was working along Interstate
Highway 30 at the 154 eastbound mile marker with Walker at approximately
2:20 a.m., when he separated from Walker and, in an apparently youthful
burst of enthusiasm, began running along the Interstate.
"He was only 2 and ½ and, really, that's still young for a Lab," said
Reyes. It was the wrong time for Nitro to want to run. Charlie was
calling him back when Nitro was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler,"
said Reyes. According to Reyes, Nitro died instantly when he was struck.
"It's just devastating for Charlie and for all of us," said Reyes.
"Nitro didn't normally do things like that. I mean, yes, he was
sometimes hyperactive like most Labs, but he normally didn't behave that
way when he was working," Reyes said. Nitro was 2 and ½ years old and
had been working with Walker for more than a year.
He and Walker not only worked drug interdiction on the Interstate as
part of their duties with the Winfield Police Department, they also
assisted the Mount Pleasant Police Department and the Titus County
Sheriff's Office when those agencies served search warrants or searched
vehicles during traffic stops.
"I don't know for sure how much dope and money was seized or how many
people were arrested on felony charges because of Nitro, but I do know
he was responsible for a lot of drugs being taken off the streets,"
Reyes said. A memorial service is being planned for
Nitro at this time.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 NELLIE-
SAR
Born: February 15, 2005
- Died: July 7, 2009
Patti & Allen Means
Red Rose K-9 Search & Rescue
Lancaster County, PA
Search Dog Dies
A Lancaster County couple devotes their own time and money to help the
community. Patti and Allen Means are the founders of Red Rose K-9 Search and
Rescue. With their certified trained Bloodhounds, they help police find
missing people and criminals. Back in 1999, their dogs were credited for
taking escaped prisoner Norman Johnston into custody. Nellie was one of the
top dogs the couple had ever worked with or owned. Among other things, she
helped find missing hikers, was instrumental in providing evidence in the
shooting of Lititz Police Officer Jevon Miller, and helped obtain a
confession for the Pennsylvania State Police for a DUI hit and run accident
involving an Amish buggy in Lancaster County. Recently, the 4 year old
Bloodhound died unexpectedly. Not only do they now have $8,000 in vet bills,
they also have to buy and train a new Bloodhound to continue volunteering at
the level they have for the past 21 years.
They are hoping the public they have served so unselfishly for two decades
will help them be able to do that.
A fund is set up at Sovereign Bank under "Nellie Fund." Cash or checks
are acceptable and any donation is tax deductible.
NELLIE – “Knock Knock
Heather It's Nellie”
Nellie was born in Canada at the home of Heather & Peter Whitcomb. Her
mother was Ch. Quietcrk Triumph for Heather and her father, Ch. Heathers
Knock on Wood (“Knotty”). Nellie’s partner and handler is Patti. Nellie
started her training at 10 weeks of age and worked her first criminal case
at the age of 8 months, involving the shooting of a police officer. Nellie
is one of the youngest Bloodhounds in the country to have achieved the
Mantrailer Excellent Certification through the American Bloodhound Club at
the age of 16 months. Her favorite pastime is swimming with her family and
taking good care of her little sister, Heather.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory
of
K9 NIK
Aka; "BOY"
June 15, 2009
Handler: Detective Michael Colby
Conneaut Police Department
294 Main St
Conneaut, OH 44030
(440) 593-7440
Conneaut K-9 partner succumbs
to illness
A
veteran member of the Conneaut Police Department, canine officer Nik,
succumbed to cancer Monday morning, said Safety Director Jon Arcaro.
Nik, the partner of Detective Michael Colby, died en route to the
veterinarian’s office, Arcaro said. The dog became ill earlier this
year, he said. The 8-year-old German shepherd had been a member of the
police department since 2003, Arcaro said. “He was the second dog in the
program since it was revived in 2002,” he said.
Nik was an active police department
member; thus, a memorial to Nik will be cremated and displayed in the
City Hall lobby, Arcaro said. There are no immediate plans to replace
Nik, Arcaro said. The department recently added a new dog, and the
canine fund is depleted, he said. The new dog, Ghost, is the partner of
Patrolman Tim Rose. “Our canine program is supported solely through
donations,”
Arcaro said. The department has one other dog, Wladk, who works with
Sgt. Curtis Distel.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s