In Loving Memory of
K9 RONI
2010
Handlers: Cpl. Douglas Mills - K-9 Roni for his first four
years of service
and Cpl. Todd Fleenor - for his last three years of service.
St. Mary’s County
Sheriff’s Office
23150 Leonard Hall Drive
Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
(301)475-4200
Retired K-9 Roni Passes
K-9 Roni was a patrol K-9 that served the citizens of St.
Mary’s County from April 2000 to April 2007. Cpl. Douglas
Mills handled K-9 Roni for his first four years of service
and Cpl. Todd Fleenor for his last three years of service.
K-9 Roni was responsible for over 30 patrol apprehensions.
Notable deployments were the apprehension of a carjacking
suspect who led police on a high-speed chase in March of
2005, and the tracking and apprehension of a suspect
involved in the armed robberies of the Arby’s and Burger
King restaurants in
February of 2006.
The Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit would like to thank the
following individuals for their continued support of the St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit: Dr. Pilkerton and
the staff at Three Notch Veterinary Hospital in Hollywood,
Md. who cared for Roni as well as the other K-9s assigned to
the unit. Ms. Margit Miller, who continuously donates
funding to purchase much needed K-9 equipment; Ms. Jeannie
Ealsy, who donated monies to purchase a K-9 bullet/stab
resistant vest; and Ms. Emily Howe, who raised money through
the Vet-A-Dog program to donate four (4) K-9 bullet/stab
resistant vests. The donations from and assistance of these
individuals greatly enhance the capabilities and proficiency
of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, which aids the unit’s
ability to keep the citizens of St. Mary’s County, Maryland
safe.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ROM
June 22, 2009
Handler: Officer Jason Boersma
The Coon Rapids Police Department
11155 Robinson Dr NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433-3761
(763) 767-6481
CRPD
mourns the passing of police dog Rom
The Coon Rapids Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its
police dogs. Rom had to be put to sleep June 22 because he was
suffering from cancer. According to Officer Jason Boersma, Rom’s
handler, the dog became ill a little over two months ago and the
diagnosis was cancer, probably of the intestines because his abdomen
was inflamed. Rom was only 5 1/2 at the time of his death, a very
young age, Boersma said. The German Shepherd had been with the
department since September 2005 after being purchased from a breeder
of military and police dogs in the Czech Republic.
“Rom was an incredible dog and was doing really well in his work
with the police department,” Boersma said. “He was a great partner,
tough when he had to be, but really good around kids.” “Rom was
extremely friendly with kids and he always liked to be petted by
them.” “He loved people and people loved him.” Except for the bad
guys, that is. Rom had a very successful career in the three-plus
years he was with the police department, Boersma said. However,
Boersma and Rom did not just respond to calls in Coon Rapids, but
from all over Anoka County as well as Hennepin and Ramsey counties
for article, suspect and narcotics searches.
According to Boersma, his records show that he and Rom were called
out 160 times for searches and in that time, he made 48
apprehensions. He also put on 42 public demonstrations in his career
with the Coon Rapids Police Department. “Rom was an exceptional
dog,” Boersma said. One highlight came early in his career when
Boersma and Rom were called to Columbia Heights to track a suspect
in the robbery of a Subway store, he said. Rom found the suspect
hiding in a dumpster.
On another occasion, the pair responded to a Ramsey Police
Department request for a canine unit.
Ramsey Police were searching for a residential burglary suspect and
Rom found him hiding in a culvert under road, Boersma said. The
culvert was full of water, with only the man’s head showing, he
said. “Rom kept going from one side of the road to the other until
he could see the suspect in the culvert,” Boersma said. Rom’s death
is not only a professional loss for Boersma, it is also a personal
loss. Rom lived with Boersma, his wife, Gina, and children, Laura,
5, and Alex, 3, as the family pet. Rom got on fine with the
children, Boersma said.
The children know Rom is no longer with the family, but they are
doing quite well because they are too young to understand that he
has died, he said. Rom was Boersma’s second police dog. His first,
Baron, was his partner for three years before he had to be medically
retired in 2005. Now Boersma has returned to patrol officer duty.
It’s different, but he enjoys it, Boersma said. According to Deputy
Police Chief Tim Snell, there are no plans to replace Rom because of
the cost. “We are trying to pare back our budget,” Snell said.
The police department received a $5,000 donation from the Coon
Rapids Crime Prevention Association to purchase Rom. There is not
only the cost of acquiring a police dog, but also the maintenance
and veterinarian costs as well, Snell said. “Rom did a good job for
us,” Snell said. “He was a good addition to the police department
and he will be missed.” The Coon Rapids Police Department has had a
canine unit since 1966. With the loss of Rom, the canine unit has
been reduced to one: Officer Mark McDonough and Logan.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ROLF
May 14, 2009
Handler: Inspector Koos Du
Plessis
Bronkhorstspruit Dog Unit
SOUTH AFRICA
Rolf, the cop dog, shot dead
A
police dog was shot dead outside Pretoria early yesterday while
tackling a suspected housebreaker. Rolf, a four-year-old German
Shepherd stationed at the Bronkhorstspruit Dog Unit as an explosives
and patrol dog, was on patrol with his handler of two years,
Inspector Koos Du Plessis, when a warning was issued about three
suspected housebreakers on the loose. Together with Inspector
Christo Prinsloo and his dog, Oro, the policemen set up an ambush on
a golf course in Bronkhorstspruit.
The golf course, according to police sources, is used as an escape
route by criminals. Oro was left in the vehicle as he and Rolf often
fought.
Du Plessis and Prinsloo, who was using night vision goggles to
search for the suspects, and Rolf, lay in wait for the men, who had
earlier in the evening attacked a number of homes in the Erasmus
area. When the three suspects were spotted, the policemen ordered
them to stop. Instead, the men continued fleeing with Rolf giving
chase.
As Rolf tackled one of the suspects believed to have been seriously
mauled by the dog, one suspect shot him in his left side before
continuing with his escape. Du Plessis and Prinsloo called for
backup that saw members of the Pretoria Dog Unit and Pretoria Police
Air Wing rushing to the scene to continue the search. Rolf, who had
recently been involved in the recovery of over R1 million worth of
stolen vehicles in Enkangala, was rushed to Roodeplaat Dog School
for treatment by a veterinary doctor, but was declared dead on
arrival.
A policeman from the unit said the impact of the death of one's dog
was exactly the same as the loss of a human partner. "These dogs are
our partners. They protect us and we protect them. "We are
devastated and battling to overcome what has happened," he said,
adding that they would go out of their way to catch Rolf's killers.
Inspector Sanet Lourens, Bronkhorstspruit police station
spokeswoman, confirmed the death and said all three suspects,
including the killer, had escaped.
She said the death was a big loss for the police and the community
as Rolf had played a major role in combating crime and in the arrest
of numerous criminals. "Everyone at the unit is devastated by what
has happened. Rolf was an excellent police member," she said. She
said a case of malicious damage to property had been opened for the
death of Rolf. No arrests have been made and anyone with information
on the suspects' whereabouts or their identities can contact their
local police stations or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
This article was originally published on page 1
of
The Pretoria News on May 15, 2009
MORE: Police Dog Shot
A police dog was shot and killed while chasing
suspected criminals in Bronkhorstspruit on
Thursday morning, Gauteng police said. Police
received three reports of attempted house
break-ins in the area and sent their dog unit to
a local golf course to wait for the suspected
criminals, who often used it as a thoroughfare,
said Inspector Sanet Lourens. Around 4.30am the
dog unit spotted people crossing the course and
ordered them to stop, but they ran away. Police
released their dog and it gave chase. It was
believed the dog tackled one of the suspected
criminals. Its handlers heard a shot and the dog
yelping. They found the dog had been shot and
wounded and rushed it to the Roodeplaat dog
school. It died before they arrived. "It was a
very good dog," said Lourens. Sapa
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA and webmaster@citizen.co.za
In Loving Memory of
K9 ROY & K9 ROZA
2009 & 1999
emailed for .jpgs 6/17/09 & 7/01/09
Handler: Roger Humphrey
Grant County Sheriff
101 N Main St, Williamstown, KY
Phone: (859) 824-3333
http://www.grantcountysheriff.com/
Hello, Yes I lost my K9 Partner & the Best friend I ever
had this year, his name was Roy, he & I had been working together daily
for just a little over 12 years. K9 Roy was my second working K9,
he replaced K9 Roza
who passed away after a spay surgery where her liver had been nicked and
not noticed during the closing of her incision, she bleed out internally
during recovery. K9
Roza was the first ever K9 for our entire county and K9 Roy was her
successor, both were amazing.
Roy was an
imported Belgian Malinois, over the years it was Roy; not me that was
responsible for well over $400,000.00 in cash seizures / forfeitures &
over one million dollars worth of illegal narcotics & numerous
successful tracking down of suspects. We were a true K9 Unit but my part
was no more than driving him to locations and hanging on to the end of
the lead letting him take me where the action was, he loved to work and
he loved to please.
In 1999
K9 Roy
won the prestigious award TOP DOG in the narcotics
category from the national K9 organization, "Dogs Against Drugs / Dogs
Against Crime (DAD / DAC);
www.daddac.com" for his achievements during that early part of his
career.
Roy amazed me
during his career; he once found a hidden room in a residence that was
being used as an indoor grow room for marijuana, he located drugs hidden
in a landscape retaining wall and with further manual searching we
located several items of child pornography also hidden in the landscape
wall which finally put this guy away for many many years, he located
$159,000.00 cash in a spare tire of a vehicle and another $40,000.00
cash in a safe at a residence the same day…
I could go on
& on; the day I had to decide to let him rest in peace and suffer no
more was the hardest day of my 27 + year career; I miss him every day…….
His urn with his cremains, photo, badge & paw print sits on my mantel
at my home; I touch it daily to give me the strength to continue what I
do…But it is just not the same without him…..
-----Original Message-----
From: loulou Krause
[mailto:loulou5858@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009
12:36 PM
To:
bigdogs@fuse.net
Subject: re: K9 Roger
In Loving Memory of
K9 ROY
April 11, 2009
Handler/Partner: Officer Paul Accornero
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd. N.
Petaluma, CA 94952
phone:707.778.4370 - fax:707.778.4502
Published: Wednesday, April
15, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday,
April 15, 2009 at 3:45 p.m.
Petaluma’s acclaimed police dog, Roy, died last
weekend, leaving a legacy of city service and a
reputation as an award-winning
law enforcement
canine.
***********
The 14-year-old Belgian Malinois “retired” from
service in January 2007 after eight years and
continued living with his handler, Officer Paul
Accornero. The death has been a blow to
officers, said Sgt. Mark Hunter, who supervises
the department’s two dog teams." It's a part of your family and it’s a
co-worker,” Hunter said. “It’s a great loss for
us all.” The police department bought Roy in spring
1999 and Accornero trained him for narcotics
work, patrol duty and countless good-will
sessions at schools and community gatherings.
Roy was a friendly police ambassador but also
a serious tracker of lost people, hiding
suspects and stashed narcotics. Officers
appreciated the extra protection he offered. Hunter said Roy helped arrest more than 120
suspects and seize more than $313,000 in illegal
drugs and $155,000 in drug money. Roy also built an impressive reputation in
police dog competitions. He earned 103 awards
over the years, including several “Top Dog”
awards at California competitions. He and
Accornero won gold medals in the 2001 World
Police and Fire Games in Indiana, the 2001
California Police Summer Games and the 2004
California Police Summer Games, Hunter said. In his final year working for the department,
Roy won the “Top Dog” award in the narcotics
division in the 2006 trial season competition
for the Western States Police Canine
Association." He was not just known on a local level. He
was very well known throughout the (law
enforcement) canine community,” Hunter said.
Petaluma currently has two police dogs, Rico
and Kilo. They are two of about 20 police dogs
working in Sonoma County.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 RICK
September 9, 1999-April 7, 2009
Handler: David Spaw
Anchorage International Airport Police Department
P.O. Box 190629
Anchorage AK 99519-0629
K-9 “Rick” was whelped on 9/1/99 and arrived in ANC with
his first handler on 5/23/02. Rick finally got a handler
that was up to his enthusiasm in Ofc Dave Spaw. After
Rick got Dave trained they returned to ANC on 5/21/04.
Rick continued to show his well known enthusiasm and a
willingness do to what he had been trained to do, right
up to the end. Rick succumbed to Hemangiosarcoma, a form
of cancer. Although he had grown slower in his
searching, he still had a tail wag and his fight to keep
the kong had not diminished.
Officer Spaw was a great partner to ’Rick’ and they were
a devoted team. Officer Spaw’s unique way of getting the
kong away from ’Rick’ will not be forgotten and will
always bring a smile to my face when I think about it.
We will greatly miss our ’Mr. Rick’.
Dave--you and Melody did good by that dog. He loved you
both.
submitted by Scott Trent
herman.trent@alaska.gov
& Officer Julie Hellrung
& Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving
Memory of
K9 RONY
March 30, 2009
Handler: Deputy
Jim Hughes
Saline County Sheriff's Office
251 No. 10th St.
Saline, KS 67401-2149
(785) 826-6500 Fax: (785) 827.1050
http://www.salinesheriff.org/
Saline
County K-9 Rony dies
The Saline County Sheriff's Office lost one of its
own Tuesday when Rony, who had worked as a police dog since July
2004, died at the Kansas State University veterinary clinic in
Manhattan after a three-week battle with pneumonia. "It's just
like losing an officer," Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said. "He was
a valuable tool -- an extremely valuable asset." Deputy Jim
Hughes, who was Rony's handler, said he was sad to lose his
partner. "He was one of the better dogs around, if not the
best," Hughes said.
Hughes said he misses Rony, who lived with him and went to work
with him every day. "I lost my buddy," he said. Rony had seemed
to improve after his initial treatment for pneumonia. However,
K-State veterinarians told Hughes that the dog also suffered
from a hereditary disease that enlarged his esophagus and caused
neurological disorders. The disease progressed to his hind legs
and left the dog unable to walk shortly before his death. The
money to buy Rony came from a one-day community fund drive that
brought in everything from $1,000 checks to "piggy" banks from
kids, Hughes said.
Kochanowski said the sheriff's office hopes to replace Rony
soon. However, he didn't budget this year for the $9,000 to
$10,000 needed to buy a new dog, transport it and pay for six
weeks of training with its new handler. Typically, Kochanowski
said, law enforcement dogs are expected to work for about eight
years. "We're going to replace this dog," he said. "We'll just
have to find the money to do it." He said a Saline County K-9
Fund has been established at UMB Bank, and anyone wishing to
make a contribution will be recognized.
Rony, a German shepherd, was active as a law
enforcement officer. He was directly involved in the seizure of
more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 100 pounds of cocaine and
seven pounds of methamphetamine, Hughes said. He won numerous
competition awards and performed countless demonstrations for
scouts, senior citizens and community groups, he said. "If
somebody wanted to know something about police dogs, we went,"
Hughes said. Hughes also took Rony to surrounding counties that
needed a trained dog to assist in searches for narcotics,
evidence or people.
Although a trained dog requires a sizable investment, the
animals are capable of doing the work of several human officers,
Hughes said. They can find hidden suspects and evidence that a
human officer would walk right by, he said. Rony, like most
police dogs, was imported from Europe, where there are
long-standing bloodlines and training techniques. Rivera Police
Canine in Junction City imported the dog and worked with Hughes
when he first became Rony's handler. Rony replaced Carmen, who
had to retire early after being injured while chasing a suspect.
Carmen still lives with Hughes.
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA - Thanks for the email, Jim.
In Loving
Memory of
K9 REX
March 26, 2009
Handler: Officer Jason Foote
Yankton Police Department
410 Walnut St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 668-5210
WEBSITE - http://yanktonsd.org/public safety/police/index.php
Police Dept. Bids Farewell To K-9 Officer Rex Had 7-Year Career With Force
Before Falling To Illness
After seven years with the Yankton Police Department, K-9 Officer Rex Foote
passed away as the result of an illness Thursday.
The beloved drug dog was scheduled to retire later this year. K-9 Officer
Rex Foote’s accomplishments were many.
During a seven-year career with the Yankton Police Department, the Belgian
Malinois drug dog sniffed out 239 pieces of drug paraphernalia, 1,500 grams
of marijuana and 92 grams of methamphetamines. Rex also helped take
$165,000 in drug money off the street. After Rex came down with arthritis
last summer, the department began making plans for his retirement later this
year. Unfortunately, he didn’t live to
enjoy the life of leisure many
thought he had earned.
Rex died Thursday morning at the Yankton Veterinary Clinic after battling
immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, which causes the immune system to destroy platelets in the blood and thus interferes with
normal blood-clotting functions. Officer Jason Foote, Rex’s handler and partner, during his seven years on the force, was there
to say good-bye to his friend. “He was fighting hard,”
Foote said Thursday afternoon. “It was almost like he waited until my wife
and I got there. I put his head in my hand, and he
was breathing pretty hard at the time.
As soon as he put his head down in my hand, he started breathing deep, slow
breaths. He started to go. Dr. (Janet) Messner saw
there was nothing more we could do. She didn’t want him to be in any more
pain and euthanized him.” Rex was more than a partner,
Foote said — he was a part of the family. The dog lived with Foote and
enjoyed playing with his two children.
“For the first four years, we kept him in the house,” Foote recalled. “Then
he got a little too comfortable and didn’t want to
come to work anymore.” Rex will be missed by the entire department, Chief
Duane Heeney said.
“He was one of our good officers,” he said. “We had Rex for quite a while,
and he did a good job. It’s always sad.
These dogs become part of the family. It’s hard to let go.” The department
will hold a funeral service for Rex today (Friday).
Rex, who was between eight and nine years old, was born in Holland and
joined the Yankton Police Department in 2002
when it brought the canine in from Arizona. Foote said he was an ideal
partner.
“All he did was what he was asked to do and never griped about it,” Foote
said. “He worked hard.”
Rex apprehended six suspects during his career, and three of those incidents
occurred as a result of him protecting Foote.
His most memorable arrest took place after a man broke into an office and
was reportedly armed with a knife. When Foote
found the suspect, he attempted to flee. “Rex took him down. Fortunately,
the guy didn’t have a knife,” Foote said.
“The suspect had minimal injuries — just a few scratches from Rex taking
him down. No officers were hurt, and the guy was in custody.” Foote said he knew early on that Rex was a talented K-9
officer.
“The first time I ever used him, an officer had stopped a car,” he said.
“(Rex) hit on the outside of the vehicle and on the
glove box inside. The officer found a pack of Zig-Zag rolling papers
behind the glove box with one little speck of marijuana on it.
It looked like it had been there a couple years. It was amazing to me that
Rex found that. He had a good nose.”
The police department hopes to find a new K-9 officer, but Rex will never
really be replaced, Foote said.
“He was a good dog. He loved doing the D.A.R.E. graduations. He was excited
to see the kids,
and the kids were excited to see him,” he said. “He was a great asset for
the city.”
DIED - 3/26/09 ( mediated thrombocytopenia ) submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving
Memory of
K9 RAVEN
March 10, 2009
Handler: Officer John
Zavalick
East Hartford Police Department
31 School Street
East Hartford, CT 06108
Ph: (860) 528-440131
WEBSITE -
http://www.ci.east-hartford.ct.us/Public_Documents/EastHartfordCT_Police/index
http://www.ci.east-hartford.ct.us/Public_Documents/EastHartfordCT_Police/operations/k-9
I am very sad
to report that K9 Raven passed away on the evening of 03/10/09. K9 Raven
worked for EHPD from 08/98 until 03/06. He had a
distinguished K9 career with more then 130 finds, including 2 kids and an
Alzheimer's patient. He did hundreds of K9 Demonstrations and along
the way, made thousands of kids and adults smile. He went to New York on
09/12/01 to assist at "Ground Zero" and he won 3 K9 Olympic
Championships.
He was surrounded by his family, he did not suffer and died peacefully in my
arms. Right up to the end, he gave us a big smile
and a final sigh. He was 14. Thank you to all those who supported us
throughout our career.
To all my fellow K9 Handlers, only you can truly understand how close we
as K9 handlers get to our K9 partners. Thank you all very much for all
your help and support over the many years of K9 training. Officer John
Zavalick - submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
Update:
EH Officer Zavalick says
goodbye to retired canine Raven
4/4/09 - Connecticut
When a life is devoted to keeping a town and its
residents safe that life never will be forgotten. For the East
Hartford Police Department and Officer John Zavalick that will be
forever true about recently deceased canine partner, Raven. Zavalick
and Raven were partners for more than 10 years, with an extensive
list of accomplishments. In his career, Raven completed 129 finds,
including saving a teen with special needs and time searching
through the remains of the World Trade Center after Sept. 11.
The town’s Police Department purchased the male German shepherd in
August 1998 and Zavalick said he knew right away this dog was
special.
“It was love at first sight,” Zavalick said.
“I had a thing for him, he had a thing for me. We bonded right
away." The new partners completed four and a half months of
extensive canine training, from September to December 1998, he
said. Raven graduated from the state police’s 83rd Canine
Training Troop in Meriden with awards for “best in tracking” and
“best in building search.”
With noses that are 100 times more sensitive than a human’s,
canines are valuable to a police force, Zavalick said. Raven was
one of three dogs working for East Hartford police, and he did
not disappoint when it came to working. Raven caught what
officers call high-risk felony warrants, including criminals
involved in shootings and robberies. During a search in
Hartford, Raven was able to find a suspect hiding in the dark,
lodged between a fence and tree.
Hartford officers had looked in that exact
spot multiple times, Zavalick said, while Raven was able to
sniff out the man on the first try. Zavalick credits the
canine’s best find to a case where a robber was found inside a
drop ceiling. The man had assaulted a woman and stole her purse,
then proceeded into a four-story building. Officers surrounded
and searched the area, unable to locate the suspect. Raven
jumped onto a desk inside a room on the first floor and barked
at the ceiling until officers were able to locate the hiding
man.
Dogs can smell a person’s sweat, explained Zavalick,
calling it a “scared scent.” They also can outrun most men. But
finds do not always end with locking up a bad guy behind bars —
Raven also saved some good guys. A Glastonbury teen with special
needs lost his way in a state forest in 2002. Raven returned him
home safely. And when a woman with Alzheimer’s disease walked
off into the woods without her husband watching and fell into
mud and skunk cabbage, Raven saved her life by locating her.
Other accomplishments include 52 hours searching the rubble at
Ground Zero days after 9/11, three first place overall awards in
the Connecticut State Police Canine Olympics, and countless
demonstrations for children and nursing homes across the state, Zavalick said, “He had a fan club.”
And after an eight-and-a-half-year run with the East Hartford
police, Raven retired on March 28, 2006, with 129 finds and 17
bites under his collar. “He was a wonderful partner, a wonderful
dog,” Zavalick said.
And even though the dog was all business, he
transformed from working canine to “a house pet like no other.”
“He was my other family,” Zavalick said. “He was with me 24/7.”
Raven was at his side at work, at home, awake, asleep, and
everything in between. And retirement proved to be a treat for
Raven. He waited daily for the postman and school bus that
brought Zavalick’s children home — he received biscuits from
both. He also enjoyed car rides and spending time at home with
Zavalick’s wife, Carmela.
But when the dog’s intestines began to shut down due to
mesenteric torsion, twisting of the organ that cuts off blood
supply, the Zavalick family said their goodbyes to the
14-year-old canine on March 10. “He was such a well-rounded
dog,” Zavalick said. “He never gave up. He was always there for
me. Raven came to my rescue. He’s just a great dog.” Now
Zavalick has the opportunity to continue his excellence with
canine partner, Axel, his second German shepherd. Bought in
2006, Axel resembles Raven in breed and Slovakian birthplace,
but not in personality. And as for Raven, “I miss him terribly,”
Zavalick said, adding he will be forever remembered as an
incredible partner and pal to Zavalick, East Hartford police,
staff at Bolton Veterinary Hospital, and countless others across
the state.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving
Memory of
K9 RUDY
February 22, 2009
Handler: Cpl. Gary Williams
West Brandywine Township Police Department
198 Lafayette Road
Coatesville, PA 19320
Police: 610-384-0438
wbpolice@wbrandywine.org
West Brandywine Township is sad to
announce the passing of K9 "Rudy" on February 22, 2009. Rudy has served with
West Brandywine Township Police Department for the past 9 years
alongside his handler Corporal Gary Williams. Rudy was diagnosed with cancer
in October 2008 and worked diligently until his passing. The community, West
Brandywine Police and staff will sorely miss Rudy.
A memorial service will be announced
at a later date.
The Board of Supervisors, Corporal
Gary Williams and West Brandywine Police Department would like to thank the
community for their
financial and moral support for Rudy over the last
several months.
Police Department's K-9 Unit was
established in 2000 after obtaining a federal government grant. Corporal
Gary Williams was teamed with K-9 "Rudy" who was born in 1999. Rudy was a
German shepherd and was certified with the North American Police Work Dog
Association. Rudy was trained in obedience, area search, agility, tracking
and criminal apprehension. Rudy was also certified in narcotics detection.
Rudy was an active sworn member of the police department. Corporal Williams
and Rudy also assisted other departments with drug detection.
Champion K-9 Rudy Von Gerhart held the
title as top dog in Pennsylvania for two consecutive years in 2005 after
competing in the statewide K-9 trials. These events challenge the dogs’
skills, especially their obedience and agility. submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 RINGO
February 23, 2009
Handler: Deputy Sheriff Rick Coley
Anderson County Sheriff's Department
101 South Main Street Suite 400
Clinton, Tennessee 37716
856-957-2414
It is with much regret to inform you that K-9 Ringo has
passed away after losing his battle with a kidney disorder. Ringo had
problems with this disease for some time. It was hoped that Ringo would
serve the citizens of Anderson County for many more years but his disease
progressed much quicker than expected. Ringo will be sadly missed by all.
K-9 Ringo served with
honor for the last eight years with his partner Deputy Sheriff Rick Coley,
first with the Clinton Police Department and, for the last four months, with
the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. Ringo was no ordinary police dog.
He was friendly, gentle, and especially liked being around children. Over
the years, Ringo won the hearts of many and soon was a popular member of law
enforcement. But when called to action, Ringo was all police dog. Winning
many awards and competitions, Ringo was second to none in his abilities to
find illegal drugs or seek out a wanted felon. Without question, Ringo was
one of the finest police dogs in the country.
There will be a memorial service for K-9 Ringo at 2:00pm on Friday, March 6,
at the Clinton Community Center. Ringo will be honored by his fellow law
enforcement officers for his many years of service. The public is invited to
join us for this tribute to Ringo.
Sheriff Paul White
Update:
Memorial service set for K9 officer Ringo 'There will never be another one like him'
Police dog Ringo, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, lost his battle with a
kidney disorder and died last week. However, he worked almost until his
death — tracking a suspected criminal in the mountainous Walden Ridge just
several days before he died.
He was the longtime partner of Deputy Rick Coley. The two had been with the
Anderson County Sheriff's Department for the past five months, but were
partners at the Clinton Police Department for the eight previous years. "Ringo
was no ordinary police dog," said Sheriff Paul White in a press release. "He
was friendly, gentle, and especially liked being around children. Over the
years, Ringo won the hearts of many and soon was a popular member of law
enforcement."
Ringo and
Coley began their service together in 2001, and could be seen about anywhere
in the county at a public event. Coley said Ringo was the only canine the
Clinton department had at the time. He said the two of them were called out
sometimes two and three times in a night. Winning many awards and
competitions, Ringo was second to none in his abilities to find illegal
drugs or seek out a wanted felon, White said in the press release. "Without
question, Ringo was one of the finest police dogs in the country," the
sheriff said.
Coley choked back tears Monday when he said his wife found some stories
about Ringo on The Oak Ridger Web site. "He was my shadow," the deputy said.
"For eight years, I've not been able to close the bathroom door. He would
lay there and wait on me to take a shower." But Coley said the best part of
their job was going to schools. He said the children all loved Ringo. "We
enjoyed getting the bad guys … but the best was going into the schools and
watching the kids' eyes light up when he came in," he said. "He was like a
movie star with the kids. They loved him so much. "There will never be
another one like him," he said. A police memorial service will be held at 2
p.m. March 6 at the Clinton Community Center to honor the police dog. The
public is invited.
Anderson County Sheriff's Department
It is with much regret to inform you that K-9
Ringo has passed away after losing his battle
with a kidney disorder. Ringo had problems with
this disease for some time. It was hoped that
Ringo would serve the citizens of Anderson
County for many more years but his disease
progressed much quicker than expected. Ringo
will be sadly missed by all. K-9 Ringo served
with honor for the last eight years with his
partner Deputy Sheriff Rick Coley, first with
the Clinton Police Department and, for the last
four months, with the Anderson County Sheriffs
Department. Ringo was no ordinary police dog. He
was friendly, gentle, and especially liked being
around children. Over the years, Ringo won the
hearts of many and soon was a popular member of
law enforcement. But when called to action,
Ringo was all police dog. Winning many awards
and competitions, Ringo was second to none in
his abilities to find illegal drugs or seek out
a wanted felon. Without question, Ringo was one
of the finest police dogs in the country. There
will be a memorial service for K-9 Ringo at 2:00
pm on Friday, March 6, at the Clinton Community
Center. Ringo will be honored by his fellow law
enforcement officers for his many years of
service. The public is invited to join us for
this tribute to Ringo. Sheriff Paul White.
He was loved,
and Friday he was honored.
Ringo, the beloved partner
of Sheriff's Deputy Rick Coley, died in February
from a kidney disorder. On Friday, the Anderson
County Sheriff's Department held a memorial
service in Clinton to say good-bye to their
fellow officer, and to give support to Coley and
his "human family."
Clinton Mayor Wimp Shoopman pointed to Ringo's
awards and stated, "that's a bunch of hardware.
But more important, he won the hearts of the
young people of this community."
A video of the 10-year-old Belgian Malinois'
life was shown to those who attended the
30-minute service. Many of those in attendance
shed tears as pictures of the police dog faded
on and off the screen as words to the song, "I
Believe," by Diamond Rio, played in the
background.
A lone bugler played Taps to make the final
tribute to the fallen officer.
*************
update:
He was willing
to take a bullet for me everyday,"
said Anderson County Sheriff's
Department Deputy Rick Coley. If
love was measured by pictures,
Deputy Coley had a big heart for his
partner--K-9 officer Ringo. "I don't
have children," said the Deputy. "He
was my kid. This makes it tough. I
feel like I've lost my son." Colored
prints are all that's left now. The
frames show 8 years of good times.
Ringo met dignitaries, played police
dog and was a K-9 officer Anderson
County grew to love.
"Being able to go into the
schools and see the kids eyes light
up when he went into a room--the
kids loved him," said Coley. That
love was captured by 10 News this
January. Anderson County High School
students raised more than $1,000 for
Ringo. The money helped Ringo
transfer with Deputy Coley from the
Clinton Police Department where they
worked for 8 years to the Anderson
County Sheriff's Department. Those
moments are now priceless. Ringo got
sick on a police call one month
later.
"For this dog
to lay down and look at me. I knew
something was wrong. Because, he
wasn't a quitter. He had a big
heart," said Deputy Coley. Officer
Ringo died from kidney failure. His
achievements will always be
remembered. Ringo won many trophies
and metals. He also received 36
certifications in law enforcement.
"He made a lot of drug arrest.
a lot
of criminal apprehensions," said the
deputy. That is why the pictures
hanging in Deputy Coley's office are
worth far more than a thousand
words. "Their will never be another
one like him. I know that there will
never be that. But, I got to let him
go," said Coley. You can view a
moving video tribute to Ringo by
clicking
here.
Deputy Coley is working with a new
K-9 officer, Justus.
submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 RJ
January 15, 2009
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s
