Memorials
to Fallen K-9s MWD K9 GRIEF
October 24, 2010
Jackson, NJ
Injured Marine Canine Handler
who lost his K9 receives welcome
home
Marine Lance Cpl. Al Brenner
greets a Marine color guard
during a welcome-home
celebration Sunday at Fire
Station 55 in Jackson. His his
dog "Grief" was killed in
action.
The explosion came from inside a building, just moments after Marine Lance Cpl. Al Brenner and his explosives detection dog, Grief, had finished sweeping for devices near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Brenner, 22, of Jackson and his K-9 Grief were out in front of the convoy of Marines on Oct. 24, searching for explosive devices on roads and in buildings. They had just completed their second sweep of the building. From all indications, Brenner said, the road and the buildings appeared clear. He believes the device that exploded was set off remotely in the wall of a building.
"I got knocked out by the force of the blast. It was a little like dying. I saw a light, then after I regained consciousness, I realized I was alive but my dog was hurt badly," Brenner said. Brenner was rushed to Kandahar Hospital, then to a hospital at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan. He was finally sent to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where he underwent numerous surgeries and skin grafts. He suffered severe flesh wounds to his arms and legs, a fractured right arm and he lost the pinky finger on his left hand.
His dog, Grief, died from wounds suffered in the explosion. On Sunday, Brenner was the guest of honor at a welcome-home party at Fire Station 55. More than 300 people turned out. Brenner, who gave a speech about his experience, said he was humbled by the standing-room-only crowd at the firehouse. "It was freezing cold, and there were people standing outside the door listening to my speech," he said. "It was incredible." Jackson Mayor Michael Reina said the party had been months in the planning.
"We can't do enough for our soldiers," said Reina. "The welcome homes are all organized by volunteers. I wish we had the money to fund it, but we don't. So many businesses in the community are gracious enough to send donations for the welcome home. "Our community is behind the soldiers. We want them to know we are there for them and we can't do enough for them. This is who we are. This is Jackson," Reina said. Brenner joined the Marines even though no one in his family had been in the service. "It was a surprise to us. I asked him why he did it, and he said, "Because I can,' " said his father, Al Brenner.
"He was always a very determined person." Brenner enlisted after graduation from St. Rose High School in Belmar. He is attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Headquarters Group, Military Police, K-9 Platoon. "I was a high school senior, and I didn't know what I wanted to do," he said. "So I went to the recruiters and I picked the Marines because they were the first door on the right." Brenner said he enlisted for the college benefit. The Marines sent him first to Camp Pendleton, Calif., for boot camp.
After that, Brenner went to military police school in Missouri and, later, was selected for K-9 training in San Antonio. "So I haven't been to college yet," he said. Brenner said he volunteered to work with the K-9 unit. "It's a selection process. Of the people who volunteer, only 5 or 10 percent ever go on to become canine handlers," he said. His dog, Grief, a German shepherd, was assigned to him. Brenner said he wasn't certain Grief would work out as a Patrol Explosives Detection dog. "He wasn't attentive and he wasn't listening to commands at first," Brenner said. "Then he started to come around."
Brenner deployed in June 2010.After the explosion, he called his wife, Megan, 20. She was at dinner with Brenner's parents, Al and Tracey. "That was my first call, to my wife to let her know," he said. "It worked out well in timing because she was with my parents." Brenner continues to undergo therapy as an outpatient at the hospital in Bethesda. He said more surgeries are scheduled for February and March. His brother, Sean, 20, also recently enlisted in the Army and is in boot camp now. Brenner said his brother also enlisted for the college benefits and to follow in his brother's footsteps.
Brenner, who is living in New Egypt with his wife, plans to travel back to California to Camp Pendleton after his surgeries. Brenner said he won't return to the same explosive detection duty. "I'm not going back out searching for bombs," he said. "But I can go back and help others learn how to do it more safely, look out for more things and not have happen to them what happened to me." Brenner credited his wife with helping his recovery. "For a while, she had to do everything for me when I came back because I couldn't do anything," he said. "And she's so young.
She's
just 20. She's one of those
people that is able to do so
much. I can never thank God
enough for giving me such an
amazing wife." Brenner said the
explosion and his injuries have
also given him a more focused
outlook on life. "I remember
laying on the ground and I
realized they were taking off my
boots, so I realized that I
still had my feet," Brenner
said. "You realize you're alive.
And I believe that everything
happens for a reason. There's
nothing I regret."
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving
Memory of
K9 GERTIE
December 2, 2010
Handler:
Keith Wilke
Harris County Sheriff's Dept.
Harris, TX
Harris County K-9 "GERTIE" passes away at 13 years of age on June 15, 2010. "GERTIE" was a great pet, friend, and loving K-9. She was used in schools for drug education and responsible for seizure of thousands of dollars and large quantities of illegal narcotics. "GERTIE" left Houston, Texas Task Force at the age of 8, and was enjoying her family until her passing. "GERTIE" will be missed by the S.O. and always remembered by Keith and the Wilke family.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 GRIFF
August 4, 2010
Handler: Deputy Brian Miller
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office
1225 County Road 630
Stafford, VA 22554-7108
(540) 658-4400
WEBSITE -
http://www.staffordsheriff.com/
(cannot find any data on K9 Griff)
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 GINO
August 10,2010
Handler: Officer Dominic Perella
Cuyahoga Falls Police Department
2310 2nd Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221-2583
(330) 928-2181
Cuyahoga Falls -- A police officer is
mourning the loss of a partner with whom he
shared his home for nine years, even after
his partner retired.
Falls Police Officer Dominic Perella was the
handler of a police canine named Gino that
had to be put to sleep in August due to
serious health problems. Gino was a big
German Shepherd, Perella said, weighing
between 95 and 100 pounds in his prime.
Because he was a tall dog, he said, Gino
looked leaner than what he really was. Along
with his size, Gino had an intimidating
bark. "It's part of the function of a police
dog," Perella said. "It's a deterrent."
Police dogs, however, are not trained to be mean to scare people, Perella added. "In that breed [the German Shepherd] is a lot of confidence and a strong drive to please the master, a desire to have a purpose," he said. Many people have the misconception that a police dog is mean and vicious because it was mistreated. "In fact, it's the exact opposite," Perella said. "That's a dog that is proud to be doing what it's doing, because it wants to, and it loves what it's doing."
Perella said canines are very protective of the police car. If anyone besides the handler, other officers included, gets close to the vehicle, Perella said the dog will "go absolutely crazy," barking and stamping its feet, causing the car to shake from side to side. At home, Gino was a normal dog that craved affection, Perella said. Gino often curled up next to guests in the Perella home and wanted to be petted.
"They couldn't believe he was the same dog," he said. "Most of the guys I work with who only saw Gino at work, absolutely could not fathom that he could be the dog he was at home, which was pretty much a regular dog," Perella said. "There are a lot of guys who probably had a heart attack when they got anywhere near my cruiser when Gino was inside."
Trained to find things:
Perella said Gino was trained for
article search. Gino could find things that
were once handled by a person, as long as it
wasn't outside in the elements long enough
for the lingering scent of a human to
dissipate. Once Gino found an article with a
human scent, he could indicate to Perella
where it was. Several years ago,
Perella and Gino were called to assist
officers in searching for a loaded gun they
suspected a man threw away while he had been
fleeing from police on a bike. Perella said
it wasn't long before Gino found the weapon.
Unlike what is often seen in movies and on
television, Perella said, a trained canine
does not sniff something belonging to the
suspect before they begin an article search.
The dog is trained to locate anything with a
human scent. In another incident, Gino was
able to find the knife used in a stabbing
several hours after the suspect got rid of
it. "It was down deep underneath the blades
of grass ... I stooped down close to the
grass, and there it was. There was a knife
with blood on it."
Hard to say goodbye
Perella worked with Gino from 2001 until
2006 when Gino retired. Six months after his
retirement, Gino started to limp. The
veterinarian determined Gino had an advanced
case of osteoarthritis, which had been
progressing for the last 18 months, as well
as a spinal disease. For about a year, Gino
had been working despite pain and
inflammation in his joints, never letting on
because of his desire to perform and please
his handler. "A regular dog would have
shut down and not gotten off the floor ...
but with the strong drive he had, he wanted
to do things," Perella said. "He did not
want to just be a lay-on-the-floor type of
dog." Although Perella gave him daily
doses of medication, Gino's arthritis got
worse. One night when Perella told Gino it
was time for bed, Gino jumped to his feet
and fell down. Each time he tried to stand,
his legs shook and he flopped back down on
the floor. Perella carried the dog upstairs
to bed and gave him an extra dose of
medicine, hoping he'd be better in the
morning.The next morning, Gino still
couldn't stand on his own. After talking it
over, Perella and Gino's trainer, Sgt. Perry
Tabak, decided that because he was in pain
and only getting worse, euthanasia was the
only answer. Gino, who had turned 12 in
April, was put to sleep on Aug. 10.
"That was one of the toughest things I've
ever been through in my life," Perella said,
"and something I'll never, ever forget."
"He was in a lot of discomfort," said Tabak,
who raised Gino from a puppy. "It would have
been selfish to keep him around any longer."
Perella noted that he was not good with dogs
before he met Gino, and Gino was patient
with him as Tabak trained them to work as a
team. Perella said he gets emotional when he
thinks about his nine years with Gino, and
having to say goodbye to such a loyal
friend. "Whatever I would have asked
him to do, he would have done," Perella
said. "And he would have protected me from
any threat. All he wanted in return was to
be loved and be with me. He didn't have to
accept me as his master, but he did." E-mail:
swiandt@recordpub.com
In Loving Memory of
K9 GOTTO
July 13, 2010
Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office
305 BUTTE STREET
*******************************
MORE about K9 Gotto
Gotto is a three-year-old Belgian Malinois from Czechoslovakia. He has been working for the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department since June of 2002. Gotto is cross trained in patrol work, narcotic searches, tracking, and handler protection. Deputy Tharsing and Gotto patrol the northern area of Siskiyou County. Together they routinely conduct building searches, area searches, vehicle stops, and the service of arrest and search warrants. When Gotto is not working, he lives at home with Deputy Tharsing and enjoys playing with his two best friends, Blaze and Arson, who are Dalmatians. Deputy Tharsing and Gotto both attended the Mar-Ken International Police K-9 School in Santa Cruz.
PERSONAL MESSAGE
"Gotto
would like to thank all the citizens
of Siskiyou County who donated their
time, effort, and money to support
the K-9 Team. With such generous
support we will continue to be one
of the strongest K-9 Teams in
Northern California.submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Memory of
K9 GAGE
July 13, 2010
Handler: Constable Bruce Lamb
Christchurch, New Zealand
Canterbury District
Police dog 23rd killed while on duty
A police dog lies dead following a
confrontation with a gunman in Christchurch
- Source: NZPA
A six-year-old police dog shot dead in
Christ Church today was the 23rd dog to die
in the line of duty.
Two police officers were also shot during a
routine check at a Buccleugh St. house in
suburban Phillipstown this morning.
Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, a 51-year-old
senior constable dog handler with 32 years
of experience in the police force, was shot
in the jaw and is in a serious, but stable
condition. Also; Constable Mitchel Alatalo,
a 39-year-old constable, who has three years
experience in the police, was shot in the
leg and is also in a serious but stable
condition.
The dog, a German shepherd named Gage, died
at the scene and was left in the middle of
the road until the incident was over.
Six other police dogs have been shot dead on
the job.
The New Zealand Police dog section was set
up in 1956 and played and integral part in
everyday policing, the NZ police website
said. "Over the years the Dog Training
Centre (in Porirua) has developed an
enviable record for its expertise. The
quality of the training provided is
recognised internationally."
The last police dog to die in the line of
duty was three-year-old Enzo, which was
drowned during a manhunt in the lower Kaimai
Ranges in August 2007.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
Dir.
update - more
“A senior constable was shot in the face, another police officer shot in the leg and a police dog killed when a routine operation became a shooting drama in Christchurch today. Canterbury District Commander Inspector Dave Cliff said the two officers who had been shot were senior constable Bruce Lamb, 51, a dog handler, the second was Constable Mitchel Alatalo, 39.Lamb was undergoing surgery after being shot through the jaw, which was shattered in four places. Alatalo was shot in the thigh left but the bullet has passed though the leg. “The bullet has come very close to the femoral artery if that had hit that the results could have been tragic,” said Cliff.Six-year-old German shepherd police dog, Gage, was also shot and died at the scene.Police stormed the house on Buccleugh St and took a man – handcuffed with his face covered in blood and his shirt and trousers torn – away in a police car. A second man has also been arrested. Police say a 34-year-old man is being questioned…”
Police dog Gage farewelled
Published: 5:15PM Friday July 16, 2010 - Source: NZPA
Police dog Gage - Source: ONE News
The police dog shot dead in Christ Church this week was farewelled this afternoon. Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, his family and other police said goodbye to Gage in a private ceremony. The dog was killed when Lamb and colleague, Constable Mitchel Alatalo, were shot after entering a dwelling in suburban Phillipstown. Both men, taken to hospital, were discharged yesterday and have made good recoveries. A police statement said the short service was a chance for Lamb to say a final goodbye and words to his "courageous good mate who has worked alongside him for the last six years".The farewell was also attended by handlers from Customs, Corrections and Aviation Security Service who have strong ties with police dog sections throughout New Zealand.Gage, pedigree name Trentham Gage, was the 23rd police dog killed on duty. "Gage was a dog with character who was strong and keen to work," said Sergeant Alastair Sim, acting head of the Christchurch police dog section. Sim said Lamb and colleagues appreciated the many messages they had received. "We know that people would have liked to attend the ceremony but this had to be a quiet moment for Bruce, his family and for those of us who worked alongside Gage." Gage's body, wrapped in a New Zealand police flag for the service, will be cremated.
update - more
Police Remembrance Day falls on September 29, the feast day of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Police.Search and rescue dogs which helped search for trapped people in rubble after the Christchurch earthquake will be among the canine heroes recognised at this weekend's national dog show. All New Zealand dogs that have behaved in an outstanding way will be celebrated as part of the 125th New Zealand Kennel Club National Dog Show at Manfeild from April 29 to May 1. The dogs being celebrated include police dog Gage, killed in the line of duty in Christchurch last year, and the urban search and rescue dogs. Kennel Club's director and secretary Richard Brown said having the USAR dogs that performed so dutifully after the earthquake would be extra special. "It seems the opportune moment to celebrate and focus on the urban search and rescue dogs, when we also present a Canine Heroes certificate for Gage." This year 2500 dogs are set to take the stage at the show for the judged events including breed, agility and obedience competitions. The overall winner of the main show goes to the world's premier dog show in England. Manfeild chief executive Heather Verry said the show had become one of the big events at the facility. "This is our third year as the show host and we've seen it grow from strength to strength." The weekend's programme also included the Dancing with Dogs Saturday night public show. "There's a lot for the public to see and with this show being held during the school holidays, I'd imagine that we'll see more people coming along," Mr Brown said. "Dancing with Dogs was very successful for us last year. "If you're interested in dogs and you want to see what's out there then you want to come during the day. It all gets pretty serious on the Sunday with judging for the overall winner." The Young Kennel Club junior dog handlers event will also be held at the Feilding stadium on April 28. "Thursday is probably when you'll see the biggest mix of dogs. Again, it's very busy but also a great chance to see a lot of action." This is the third year the show has been held at Manfeild stadium. The shows are traditionally staged in October but this year's event was moved forward to April to avoid a clash with the Rugby World Cup.
UPDATE:
In Loving Memory of
K9 GRIEF
June 21,2010
Handler: Cpl.Anthony Scelsi
New Castle Delaware Police Department
3601 N. Dupont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 197200
K9 Greif had advanced stage of cancer and
the humane thing to do was put him down and
out of pain.
He was only 8 years old, needless to say his
handler Anthony is very distraught. More
information will be
posted.
submitted by Dawn Lanham
(Previous information about Greif)
Corporal Anthony Scelsi and his canine
partner "Greif" successfully tracked and
located a victim who was in serious danger
after he walked away from his Mannette
Heights home early Sunday (2/15) morning.
The victim's wife called 911 after she awoke
in the morning and found her husband
missing. At 5:23 a.m., several county police
officers responded to the area of Ethel
Circle for a report of a male subject (who
suffers from dementia) who walked away from
his home wearing only his pajamas. Corporal
Scelsi and his partner Greif responded to
the home to provide canine support as
officers began searching the area. Canine
Greif "scented" items that belonged to the
victim and then immediately began tracking
from the driveway area of the home toward
Limestone Road. After several hundred yards,
Grief took a sharp right turn and crossed
over both of the north and south bound lanes
of Limestone Road. On the other side of the
highway, Greif found the victim's slippers
and cane in the driveway of a home in the
1900 block of Limestone Road. At
approximately 5:53 a.m., the canine and his
partner located the victim near the front
door of a residence. He was suffering from
injuries to his hands and effects of
exposure to the cold, but otherwise appeared
to be in good condition. He was transported
to the Christiana Hospital for treatment.
More to come regarding service
In Loving Memory of
K9 GASTON
September 7, 1998 - April 15, 2010
Handler: John Mahon
Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Lane
Southington, CT 06489-1763
Ph: (860) 378-1600
WEBSITE - http://www.southingtonpolice.org/Start.html
First Southington police K9 passes away
The police department announced
Wednesday the death of the town's first
police dog Gaston after nine years of
service.
The police department announced today
the passing of the town's first K9
officer, Gaston. At 12 years old, Gaston
retired earlier this year after serving
nine years in the department netting
more than 100 arrests. Gaston passed
away at the home of his partner/trainer
Officer John Mahon. He was awarded
several commendations in his time of
service with the PD. Gaston was born in
the Czech Republic, got trained in 2001
and then earned certified by the North
American Police Work Dog Association and
the Connecticut Police Work Dog
Association. Gaston specialized the
detection of narcotics, criminal
apprehension, tracking, evidence
recovery and building searches. Gaston
had participated in numerous school and
public demonstrations and was a member
of the Central Region Emergency Response
Team. Over the past couple of months
Gaston had been adjusting to life as a
pet in Mahon's home. Mahon said in the
past that along with his wife and three
chidlren, Gaston was a big part of the
family.
submitted
by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
MORE:
Gaston was born in the Czech Republic on 9-7-98. He was trained in January of 2001, and then certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association. Gaston specialized the detection of narcotics, criminal apprehension, tracking, evidence recovery and building searches. Gaston assisted with the apprehension of many felony and misdemeanor suspects and located several missing persons. Gaston had participated in numerous school and public demonstrations. Gaston was also a member of the Central Region Emergency Response Team. Our condolences also go out to Officer Mahon and his family on the loss of their loyal family member.
In Loving Memory of
K9 Sgt. GORDO
April 7, 2010
Handlers:
Officer Jeremy Legan & Officer
Ryan Albaugh
Decherd Police Department
201 South Diagonal Street
Decherd, TN 37324-3183
(931) 962-1675
Officers Investigated After K-9 Found Dead - 1 Officer Has Resigned
Two police officers in Franklin County are under investigation in the death of a police dog.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is
investigating the death of a K-9 officer.
According to Decherd Police Chief Ross
Peterson, Sheriff Tim Fuller has been asked
to assign an investigator to handle the
death of the Decherd Police Department’s K-9
officer.
The K-9 was found dead on April 7 at around
4:07 p.m. "I ordered that the K-9 be
immediately be sent to the veterinary office
for investigative purposes," Decherd Police
Chief Ross Peterson stated. Chief Peterson
stated that the Decherd Police officers and
city officials are very saddened with the
situation.
"The sheriff’s department investigators will
have the complete support and cooperation of
all Decherd Police Officers in this
investigation," the chief stated. He stated
that he realizes the investigation will take
time.
Two Decherd Police Officers have been
suspended from their duties without pay
pending the completion of the sheriff’s
department’s investigation.
Two mid-state police officers have resigned following the death of a police dog. Decherd officers Ryan Albaugh and Jeremy Legan stepped down after being placed on unpaid suspension Thursday. Franklin County's sheriff said the K-9 officer was found dead in a crate in the back of a police pick-up truck Wednesday afternoon. The dog was sent for an autopsy, but preliminary results indicate it died of dehydration. Investigators think the animal may have been left in the crate for at least 24 hours.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA