In Loving Memory of
K9 JOHNNI
2010
looking for Photo and date...
Handler: Officer Bill Franklin
Logan Twp. Police Dept.
PA
K-9 Johnni has forever left his mark on the history of the Logan Twp. Police Department. The Department's first Police Dog,
Johnni faithfully served his partner Bill Franklin and together they helped keep the residents of Logan Twp. safe.
Thank you for your service Johnni and thank you to the Franklin family for taking such good care of him
during throughout his faithful service.
Guardians Of The Night
Author - Unknown
Trust in me my friend for I am your comrade. I will protect you
with my last breath When all others have left you And the
loneliness of the night closes in, I will be at your side.
Together we will conquer all obstacles, And search out
those who might wish harm to others. All I ask of you is
compassion, The caring touch of your hands. It is for you that I
will unselfishly give my life And spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together May be marked by the passing
of the seasons Know that each day at your side is my reward.
My days are measured by The coming and going of your
footsteps. I anticipate them at every opening of the door. You
are the voice of caring when I am ill. The voice of authority
when I've done wrong.
Do not chastise me unduly For I am your right arm, The sword
at your side. I attempt to do only what you bid of me. I seek
only to please you and remain in your favor.
Together you and I shall experience A bond only others
like us will understand When outsiders see us together Their
envy will be measured by their disdain.
I will quietly listen to you and pass no judgment, Nor will your
spoken words be repeated I will remain ever silent, Ever vigilant,
ever loyal. And when our time together is done And you move
on in the world Remember me with kind thoughts and tales,
For a time we were unbeatable, Nothing passed among us
undetected.
If we should meet again on another street I will gladly take
up your fight, I am a Police Working Dog and together.
We are guardians of the night.
In Loving Memory of
K9 JUSTICE
December 28, 2010
Handler: Charles "Tony" Howard
Springfield Police Department
130 Pearl
Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Non-emergency matters:
413.787.6302
The Springfield Police
Department is mourning the
loss of two of the force's
K-9 dogs. Sergeant John
Delaney told 22News that one
of the dogs, Nitro, died
December 22 from an
infection in the lungs.
Nitro was partnered with
Officer Barry Delamarter and
spent 9 and a half years
with Officer Delamarter.
Both worked with the "Street
Crime Unit." The other dog,
Justice, died on December 28
after being diagnosed with
malignant tumors. Justice
was partnered with Sergeant
Charles "Tony" Howard. They
were also assigned to the
"Street Crime Unit." Both of
the dogs helped police find
lost children and the
elderly. They also
tracked-down suspected
criminals. Sergeant Delaney
said that both dogs were an
important part of the
Springfield Police
Department. Delaney said the
last time the police
department lost a K-9, the
public offered donations to
replace the dog. K-9 dogs
are expensive and are
specifically trained for
police work.
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JOHNNY
December 11, 2010
Handler: Officer
Brian Zebron
La Salle Police Department
add? 745 Second
St.
LaSalle, IL 61301
1 815.223.3755
WEBSITE -
http://lasalle-il.gov/content/police-department-2102010103718am.aspx
La
Salle police remember beloved
K-9
La Salle police officer Brian
Zebron said goodbye to a former
partner and longtime pet this
week. As old age and leg
problems set in, former La Salle
police dog Johnny was put to
sleep Monday night. "I still
remember his first arrest like
it was yesterday. It was a
couple pot pipes and two grams
of weed, it was real small but
you remember it,” Zebron said.
Over the course of eight years
with the department, Johnny, a
mixed breed of German shepherd
and Belgian Malinois descent,
would go on to find much more
than just a couple grams of
marijuana.
Within his first few weeks on
the job, Johnny was being
honored by the city council for
his part in responding to 23
drug-related calls, resulting in
nine arrests and the discovery
and seizure of 2½ pounds of
marijuana, 17 drug pipes, and
$530, the News Tribune reported
at the time. During his career
Johnny assisted with a number of
large drug busts on local
interstates, Zebron noted.
“Having a dog is a very
appreciated asset,” said La
Salle police detective Mike
Smudzinski. Some of Johnny’s
days on the force were during a
period when there were few local
K-9 units, which meant he and
Zebron were busy working all
around the area, assisting on
searches from west of Princeton
to east of Marseilles.
“Now we have about 14 K-9
between La Salle and Bureau
County and there were times when
we were down to three or four,”
Zebron said. Smudzinski joined
the La Salle department at the
same time as Zebron in 1997.
Over the years, he’s gained a
lot of respect for Zebron and
his K-9 partners. “(Zebron’s)
one of the most dedicated,
hardworking K-9 officers I’ve
ever seen, who puts a lot of
effort into making his dogs work
exceptionally well,” Smudzinski
said. Johnny joined the
department in 2000, taking over
duties for former K-9 Cash, a
black Labrador that focused on
drug busts.
“When we got Johnny, drug work
was a huge part of what he did,
but he also did multi-purpose,”
Zebron said. The other purposes
included building searches,
protecting his handler and other
officers — “Which came in handy,
especially with bar fights
downtown,” Zebron said — and
tracking. Zebron can remember
Johnny using his powerful nose
to uncover a loaded handgun
thrown by a suspect during a
foot chase at night as well as
chasing down suspects that ran
away from human police officers.
“He didn’t have the speed
lately, but in his prime it
didn’t take him long to catch up
to the suspect,” Zebron said.
Despite all the exciting action,
Zebron said his favorite
memories with Johnny were the
days they’d visit school
children to put on
demonstrations. After retiring
in 2008, Johnny went home with
Zebron where he became the
family pet and was joined not
long after by Zebron’s current
K-9 partner Justis. “I look at
Johnny, he had eight years of
non-stop fun every time he went
out,” Zebron said. “I know in my
mind he had the best life he
could have.”
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JEECHO
October 1, 2010
Handler: Officer Stafford Brister
Wilmington Police Department
615 Bess Street
Wilmington, NC 28402
Police dog that excelled at tracking
suspects dies
Jeecho, a German
shepherd, was a canine cop with the
Wilmington Police Department. He
died peacefully Friday.
He was one of the furrier members of
Wilmington's police force, a
four-legged crime-fighting machine
with a powerful set of jaws and a
keen sense of smell to boot. His
name was Jeecho, and he was a German
shepherd. More than three years
after his retirement as a canine cop
with the Wilmington Police
Department, Jeecho peacefully passed
away surrounded by friends and
family last Friday. He was 12 years
old. His handler, Officer Stafford
Brister, remembers Jeecho as
steadfast in the line of fire, a dog
who was always willing to take a
real bite out of crime. We had a
very unique bond,” Brister said
Thursday. “I had all the confidence
in him, and he had all the
confidence in me. I guess that's
what makes it really hard. ... He
wasn't just a dog; he was my
partner.” Jeecho arrived at the
police department in 2003. At the
age of 3, Jeecho quickly learned the
ins and outs of canine police work
and was out in the field in about
three months, Brister said. He was
certified as a patrol, narcotic and
tracking dog numerous times through
the U.S. Police Canine Association.
He was one of the furrier members of
Wilmington's police force, a
four-legged crime-fighting machine
with a powerful set of jaws and a
keen sense of smell to boot. His
name was Jeecho, and he was a German
shepherd. More than three years
after his retirement as a canine cop
with the Wilmington Police
Department, Jeecho peacefully passed
away surrounded by friends and
family last Friday. He was 12 years
old. His handler, Officer Stafford
Brister, remembers Jeecho as
steadfast in the line of fire, a dog
who was always willing to take a
real bite out of crime. He was one
of the furrier members of
Wilmington's police force, a
four-legged crime-fighting machine
with a powerful set of jaws and a
keen sense of smell to boot. His
name was Jeecho, and he was a German
shepherd. More than three years
after his retirement as a canine cop
with the Wilmington Police
Department, Jeecho peacefully passed
away surrounded by friends and
family last Friday. He was 12 years
old. His handler, Officer Stafford
Brister, remembers Jeecho as
steadfast in the line of fire, a dog
who was always willing to take a
real bite out of crime. "We had a
very unique bond,” Brister said
Thursday. “I had all the confidence
in him, and he had all the
confidence in me. I guess that's
what makes it really hard. ... He
wasn't just a dog; he was my
partner.” Jeecho arrived at the
police department in 2003. At the
age of 3, Jeecho quickly learned the
ins and outs of canine police work
and was out in the field in about
three months, Brister said. He was
certified as a patrol, narcotic and
tracking dog numerous times through
the U.S. Police Canine Association.
During his tenure, Jeecho was
responsible for the seizure of
several hundred pounds of narcotics
and approximately $200,000 in drug
money. He was best, however, at
tracking suspects, and he wasn't
afraid to sink his teeth into a
criminal trying to evade arrest.
Jeecho won a slew of awards in both
regional and national competitions.
Between 2003 and 2005, he was
recognized by the USPCA for three
separate incidents where he helped
apprehend suspects wanted on serious
felony charges, including one where
he tracked down the occupants and
driver who ran away from a vehicular
homicide, Brister said. But
arthritis in his later years finally
forced Jeecho into medical
retirement in 2007. He served his
remaining years comfortably at home
with Brister. “He was my best friend
and my partner at work,” Brister
said. “We fought some hard criminals
together. He was always there for me
and I always there for him.” Jeecho
now holds a place on his handler's
mantel, his ashes resting in a
wooden urn.
“We had a very unique bond,”
Brister said Thursday. “I had all
the confidence in him, and he had
all the confidence in me. I guess
that's what makes it really hard.
... He wasn't just a dog; he was my
partner.” Jeecho arrived at the
police department in 2003. At the
age of 3, Jeecho quickly learned the
ins and outs of canine police work
and was out in the field in about
three months, Brister said. He was
certified as a patrol, narcotic and
tracking dog numerous times through
the U.S. Police Canine Association."
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JAKE
Oct. 2010
Sgt. Scott Lindsley #191
Melbourne Police Department
Day watch "A" Shift Supervisor
I just wanted to drop you a line and
let you know my K9 partner of 7 years
had to be put down last week after he
suffered a severe compressed disk in his
spine which caused him to lose all use
of his rear legs. Due to him being a
large framed dog (135lbs) and over 10
years old, the chances of successful
rehab were less than 50/50. I retired K9
Jake from active service in 2007 when I
was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. he
lived with the family as a pet until he
collapsed suddenly in severe pain. After
several days of tests, it was determined
his spine was deteriorating which caused
his disk to compress. If you don't
remember, Jake replaced my last K9
partner Marco. Marco was the one who
escaped from the kennel back in 2003
here in Melbourne Florida and was found
after being struck by a car. I just
wanted you to know I lost k9 Jake last
week and if possible, I will send you a
photo for your web site. let me know if
you need a small bio on him and I will
provide it.
More from
Scott:
K9 Jake was certified as a Police dog
for the Melbourne Police Dept. in June
of 2003. He was the replacement for
Officer Scott Lindsley's Police dog who
escaped from a local kennel in April
2003 and was struck and killed by a
vehicle. Jake entered service as a 3
year old patrol/narcotic detection dog
and served the citizens of Melbourne for
four years prior to his handler being
promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Jake
was retired in September of 2007 and he
lived at home with Sgt. Lindsley and his
family until September 26 2010 when he
suddenly collapsed in severe pain. After
several days of tests, it was determined
that Jake had several compressed disks
in his spine, one of which was so severe
it caused him to lose all use of his
rear legs. Due to his age and his large
frame and the fact his spine was
degenerating and would only get worse
over time, the chances of a successful
surgery and rehab where slim. Because
Jake's quality of life was severely
diminished, it was determined that
Jake's condition would only get worse so
the decision to end his suffering was
decided. Sgt. Lindsley said it was the
hardest decision he has had to make.
Even though it was for the best, the
decision to end Jake's suffering was
still very difficult. Jake will be
missed for not only his exceptional
skills in detecting hidden drugs and
locating and apprehending criminals but
for his great personality. He was one of
the most requested K9's for
demonstrations for young school aged
children. He loved to play when not
working and he was even known for
helping weed the yard by grabbing and
removing whatever weeds were pointed out
to him. Jake was one special partner and
will be missed. Rest in Peace.
submitted by Sgt.
Scott Lindsley
In Loving Memory of
K9 JET
September 24, 2010
Handler: Deputy Tommy Willcox
Alachua County Sheriff's Office
2621 SE Hawthorne Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32641
Police dog Jet dies
The Alachua County Sheriff's
Office is mourning the cancer death
of one of its K9s. Jet, the canine
partner of Deputy Tommy Willcox,
died Friday at Willcox's home. "He
expired peacefully with his handler
at his side," said sheriff's
spokesman Art Forgey. The 8-year-old
German shepherd's career with the
Sheriff's Office began in September
2003. He was a dual-purpose dog
certified in patrol work and bomb
detection. His assignments included:
working with the University Of
Florida Police Department to search
the Ben Hill Griffin Football
Stadium before every home football
game since 2004; assisting the
Volusia County Sheriff's Office with
bomb searches at the Daytona
Speedway for the past three years;
and performed demonstrations at most
of the county's elementary schools.
Forgey said Jet's medical problems
became apparent on Aug. 31 during a
training exercise with Willcox. The
deputy noticed Jet was struggling to
breathe, so he took Jet to a
veterinarian. According to Forgey,
X-rays taken at two veterinary
clinics "confirmed that Jet had a
rapidly spreading case of lung
cancer but he did not retire. He
continued to work up until his
death." Forgey said the attributes
that will likely be most remembered
about Jet was that he enjoyed being
around children and that when he was
on duty, he "was ready to apprehend
a suspect at a moment's notice."
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir.
CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JOYCEE
September 6, 2010
Handler: Sgt. Narcotics Investigator
Danny Dawson
81st Judicial District Attorney's Narcotics
Div.
1327 3rd. Street
Floresville, Texas 78114
(830) 393-2200
On Monday 9/6/2010 I lost my second K-9
Joycee. The vet believes that Joycee was
poisoned. His body was taken to Texas A&M Animal Lab for testing.
If you get this e-mail I will let you know
what the test results are.
RESULTS:
I have been waiting for the final report on
Joycee. I am glad to report that he was not
poisoned. I am Sad to report that his death
could have possible been avoided. Please
inform all Officers with a K-9 that even if
their K-9 is on Heart Guard they still need
to be tested for heart worms every year. I
was told by my vet that even if the K-9 the
K-9 can still get heart worms. Joycee had
kidney problems and brain problems but heart
worms is what killed him. He was tested in
2006 and has been on hear guard ever since
but still got heart worms and I did not know
until it was to late. Joycee made many
narcotics seizures but could have made many
more. In his short life he seized more than
2000 pounds of marijuana, over 10 pounds of
methamphetamines and cocaine and over
$500,000.00 in US Currency. Joycee was on
the fast track to making a great career for
himself.
Please let other Officers know to have their
K-9 tested every year no matter if they are
on heart guard and no matter what, the vet
says.
In Loving Memory of
K9 JOHNNY
September 13, 2010
Handler: Officer
Brian Zebron
La Salle Police Department
745-2nd St.
La Salle, IL 61301
815.223.2131
WEBSITE
-
http://lasalle-il.gov/content/police-department-2102010103718am.aspx
La
Salle police remember beloved K-9
La
Salle
police officer Brian Zebron said goodbye
to a former partner and longtime pet
this week. As old age and leg problems
set in, former La Salle police dog
Johnny was put to sleep Monday night." I
still remember his first arrest like it
was yesterday. It was a couple pot pipes
and two grams of weed, it was real small
but you remember it,” Zebron said. Over
the course of eight years with the
department, Johnny, a mixed breed of
German shepherd and Belgian Malinois
descent, would go on to find much more
than just a couple grams of marijuana.
Within his first few weeks on the job,
Johnny was being honored by the city
council for his part in responding to 23
drug-related calls, resulting in nine
arrests and the discovery and seizure of
2½ pounds of marijuana, 17 drug pipes,
and $530, the News Tribune reported at
the time. During his career Johnny
assisted with a number of large drug
busts on local interstates, Zebron
noted. “Having a dog is a very
appreciated asset,” said La Salle police
detective Mike Smudzinski. Some of
Johnny’s days on the force were during a
period when there were few local K-9
units, which meant he and Zebron were
busy working all around the area,
assisting on searches from west of
Princeton to east of Marseilles.
“Now we have about 14 K-9 between La
Salle and Bureau County and there were
times when we were down to three or
four,” Zebron said. Smudzinski joined
the La Salle department at the same time
as Zebron in 1997. Over the years, he’s
gained a lot of respect for Zebron and
his K-9 partners. “(Zebron’s) one of
the most dedicated, hardworking K-9
officers I’ve ever seen, who puts a lot
of effort into making his dogs work
exceptionally well,” Smudzinski said.
Johnny joined the department in 2000,
taking over duties for former K-9 Cash,
a black Labrador that focused on drug
busts.
“When we got Johnny, drug work was a
huge part of what he did, but he also
did multi-purpose,” Zebron said. The
other purposes included building
searches, protecting his handler and
other officers — “Which came in handy,
especially with bar fights downtown,”
Zebron said — and tracking. Zebron can
remember Johnny using his powerful nose
to uncover a loaded handgun thrown by a
suspect during a foot chase at night as
well as chasing down suspects that ran
away from human police officers. “He
didn’t have the speed lately, but in his
prime it didn’t take him long to catch
up to the suspect,” Zebron said.
Despite all the exciting action, Zebron
said his favorite memories with Johnny
were the days they’d visit school
children to put on demonstrations. After
retiring in 2008, Johnny went home with
Zebron where he became the family pet
and was joined not long after by
Zebron’s current K-9 partner Justis. “I
look at Johnny, he had eight years of
non-stop fun every time he went out,”
Zebron said. “I know in my mind he had
the best life he could have.”
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JUNO
August 2010
Handler: Officer Brian Trotta
Cincinnati Police Department
310 Ezzard Charles Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45214
(513)352-3536
fax:(513)352.2949
In Loving Memory of
K9 JACK
July 19, 2010
Handler: Officer Matt Piatt
Cushing Police Department
100 Judy Adams Blvd
Cushing,
Oklahoma 74023
(918)225-1212
K9
Cop Dead
“Officer down” was the call Monday that numbed
members of the Cushing Police Department. And
again left the department without a canine
division. Jack, a 2-year-old German shepherd
that joined CPD in January, on Monday was found
dead, Police Chief Terry Brannon confirmed. The
cause of his death is under investigation. “The
loss for us is pretty big,” Brannon said. “Jack
played a pretty big role in our department. “He
just finished up training last weekend in
Stillwater. He had a really good training
session, which made him an even more vital part
of our department.”
Cushing Police Officer Matt Piatt discovered
Jack inside his kennel, which is at Piatt’s
residence. Brannon, Maj. Tully Folden and Animal
Control Officer Martin Griesel went to Piatt’s
home to assist. Brannon contacted Brian McNeal,
veterinarian for the CPD, and later took Jack to
Oklahoma State University Veterinary Sciences
for a full autopsy. Doctors at OSU determined
the death to have been caused by an internal
issue. After putting together the pieces,
Brannon said, it turns out a reward given
Jack
led to his demise.
“In March, we determined, he was given a chew
toy as a reward for good work finding some
drugs,” Brannon said. “He chewed it up and
apparently some of it lodged inside his
intestines. “We took him to Dr. McNeal that day.
“Sadly, that is what Jack succumbed to.” Brannon
before Tuesday afternoon’s report said results
of the autopsy would determine the next steps
taken by Cushing police. Brannon met Monday with
City Manager Steve Spears to discuss the
situation. Had it been determined Jack died from
a pre-existing condition unknown to CPD at the
time of his purchase, he would be
replaced by
the seller, Brannon said.
Jack was purchased in January from Worldwide
Canine of Spring Branch, Texas, one of the
world’s leading providers of police patrol and
drug dogs. He took the place of Nando, who had
been the CPD K-9 officer since July 2008. Nando
went back to Worldwide Canine, Folden said, and
is again for sale after he and Piatt “didn’t hit
it off.” “That’s pretty common,” Folden said.
“Shepherds usually do not work very well with a
second handler.” Folden was the human part of
the CPD’s K-9 division until his promotion in
December to deputy chief. His partnership with
Nando ended a period of 18 months CPD went
without a dog.
“Having never suffered the loss of a partner, I
can only imagine the grief Officer Piatt must be
sensing,” Brannon said. “It’s a huge loss for us
but it’s an even bigger loss to Matt. “It’s like
having a human partner in his car with him all
the time.” Brannon said standard procedure
dictates police dogs stay at the residence of
their partners. The police department provides a
kennel complete with a sprinkler system, food
and anything else required for maintaining the
dog. Because Jack died of something contracted
during his time with CPD, Brannon said, the
department would be out the cost of replacing
him.
Brannon estimated the purchase price of a K-9
officer at between $8,500 and $9,500. “And
that’s being very conservative,” he said. “So
much goes into a dog: where you buy one, how he
has been handled. You don’t just show up at a
kennel and say ‘we’re going to buy this dog.’
“When we got Jack, people from all over country
were there buying dogs.”
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JACK
July 1, 2010
Handler: Officer Christopher Galluppo
Jacksonville Police Department
1412 West Main Street
Jacksonville, AR 72076-4397
(501) 982-3191
Police dog dies after snake bite
The Jacksonville Police Department lost one of its
canines July 1. Jeff, a 3-year-old German shepherd,
died from anaphylactic shock as a result of a snake
bite. According to a press release, Jeff began his
career with the department July 13, 2008. He was a
certified dual purpose — patrol and narcotic —
canine and was assigned to officer Christopher
Galluppo. He contributed to numerous drug arrests
and was responsible for the seizures of numerous
grams of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine. The
department is looking into replacing Jeff; however,
police dogs cost between $8,000 and $10,000 fully
trained. Then, the officer who is assigned the
canine has to train to become certified with the
canine. Anyone who would like to help fund canine
Jeff’s replacement may call April Kiser at 982-3191.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9 JEFF
July 16, 2010
Handler: Officer Christopher Galluppo
Jacksonville Police Department
1412
West Main Street
Jacksonville, AR 72076-4397
(501) 982-3191
Police dog dies after snake bite
- By Patriot Staff
The Jacksonville Police Department
lost one of its canines July 1. Jeff, a 3-year-old
German shepherd, died from anaphylactic shock as a
result of a snake bite.
According to a press release, Jeff began his career with
the department July 13, 2008. He was a certified dual
purpose — patrol and narcotic — canine and was assigned
to officer Christopher Galluppo. He contributed to
numerous drug arrests and was responsible for the
seizures of numerous grams of cocaine, marijuana and
methamphetamine.
The department is looking into replacing Jeff; however,
police dogs cost between $8,000 and $10,000 fully
trained. Then, the officer who is assigned the canine
has to train to become certified with the canine. Anyone
who would like to help fund canine Jeff’s replacement
may call April Kiser at 982-3191.
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving Memory of
K9 JADA
May 8, 2010
 
Handler:
John
Chamberlin
Foxboro Police Department
40 South St.
Foxboro, Massachusetts 02035
(508)543-4343
Officers, family mourn loss of Jada
By Bill Stedman and Frank
Mortimer
Jada, the Foxboro Police department's drug-sniffing
dog, made lots of friends in town and around the
area during her two years on duty.
And many mourned when the 30-pound, black
Labrador-beagle mix
died last weekend as a result of swallowing a hard
plastic spoon during a recent drug search at an area
school.
Jada, who would have turned four years old this
July, was cremated Tuesday at Angel View Pet
Cemetery in Middleboro with "full police honors,"
attended by two dozen police officers from area
canine units, according to Foxboro Police officer
John Chamberlin, Jada's handler.
"My kids were really impressed how many people
showed up for Jada," he said. "She lived with our
family. She was part of our family the whole time.
It's been devastating, but the support I and my
family received from the citizens of Foxboro has
been great."
Chamberlin said Jada, who was rescued as a pup
from the streets of Brockton, died "doing what she
loved doing, and I'm sure she passed a happy,
satisfied dog." Chamberlin brought Jada to the
department in 2008 to use in various search
operations.
He began to train with the dog in July, 2008, and
they first hit the streets together that October,
continuing a Foxboro tradition started in 1974 by
the late officer Pete Taggart. The members of Girl
Scout Troop 80971 adopted Jada as a project, and
raised money for items needed to protect the dog in
the line of work. "She made a lot of friends in town
and was a valuable asset to the department," police
chief Edward O'Leary said. She was credited with a
number of drug arrests, he said.
During the dog's short career she located hundreds
of grams of cocaine and heroin, sniffed out a total
of 20 pounds of marijuana, and became the only dog
to ever find drugs in a cell in the Norfolk House of
Corrections, Chamberlin said.
The man and dog team also gave demonstrations for
school and civic groups. With Jada the
attention-getting prop, Chamberlin would tell kids
of the dangers of drug abuse.
"She was a true public servant, making the streets
of Foxboro safer for the citizens who live here," he
said Wednesday.
Jade collapsed last Thursday in training in
Braintree, and was taken to Foxboro Animal Hospital,
where she underwent surgery and later died of
complications. The spoon she swallowed had become
lodged in the animal's intestines, Chamberlin said.
Chamberlin said Dr. Richard Moschella had donated
all of Jada's veterinary services throughout the
animal's police career.
Chamberlin said he hopes Foxboro's canine program
will continue. But, for now, the family is missing a
friend whose stay was too short.
"She was like the clown at home, and at work she was
all about finding the drugs," Chamberlin said. "She
was like a Jeckyll and Hyde -- she went from all
business at work to all play at home."
The Chamberlin family keeps Jada's ashes in a wooden
urn on the fireplace mantel, along with the dog's
working color, a green loop decorated with
shamrocks. "She'll be with us forever now," he
said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
MORE:
Drug-sniffing dog who died last weekend gets burial
with full police honors
FOXBORO - Jada, the Foxboro Police department's
drug-sniffing dog, made lots of friends in town and
around the area during her two years on duty.
And many mourned when the 30-pound, black
Labrador-beagle mix died last weekend as a result of
swallowing a hard plastic spoon during a recent drug
search at an area school. Jada, who would have
turned 4 years old in July, was cremated Tuesday at
Angel View Pet Cemetery in Middleboro with "full
police honors," attended by two-dozen police
officers from area canine units, according to
Foxboro police Officer John Chamberlin, Jada's
handler. "My kids were really impressed how many
people showed up for Jada," he said. "She lived with
our family. She was part of our family the whole
time. It's been devastating, but the support I and
my family received from the citizens of Foxboro has
been great." Chamberlin said Jada, who was
rescued as a pup from the streets of Brockton, died
"doing what she loved doing, and I'm sure she passed
a happy, satisfied dog." Chamberlin brought Jada to
the department in 2008 to use in various search
operations. He began to train with the dog in July
2008, and they first hit the streets together that
October, continuing a Foxboro tradition started in
1974 by the late Officer Pete Taggart. The
members of Girl Scout Troop 80971 adopted Jada as a
project, and raised money for items needed to
protect the dog in the line of work. "She made
a lot of friends in town and was a valuable asset to
the department," Police Chief Edward O'Leary said.
She was credited with a number of drug arrests, he
said.
During the dog's short career, she located hundreds
of grams of cocaine and heroin, sniffed out a total
of 20 pounds of marijuana and became the only dog to
ever find drugs in a cell in the Norfolk House of
Corrections, Chamberlin said. The man and dog team
also gave demonstrations for school and civic
groups. With Jada the attention-getting prop,
Chamberlin would tell kids of the dangers of drug
abuse. "She was a true public servant, making
the streets of Foxboro safer for the citizens who
live here," he said.
Jeda collapsed last Thursday in training in
Braintree, and was taken to Foxboro Animal Hospital,
where she underwent surgery and later died of
complications. The spoon she swallowed had
become lodged in her intestines, Chamberlin said.
Chamberlin said Dr. Richard Moschella had donated
all of Jada's veterinary services throughout the
animal's police career. Chamberlin said he hopes
Foxboro's canine program will continue. But,
for now, the family is missing a friend whose stay
was too short. "She was like the clown at home, and
at work she was all about finding the drugs,"
Chamberlin said. "She was like a Jeckyll and Hyde -
she went from all business at work to all play at
home." The Chamberlin family keeps Jada's
ashes in a wooden urn on the fireplace mantel, along
with the dog's working collar, a green loop
decorated with shamrocks. "She'll be with us
forever now," he said.
In
Loving Memory of
K9 JASOU
February 2010
Handler: Officer Michael Sawyer
Scarborough Police Department
246
Route 1
Scarborough, ME 04074
Phone 883-6361
Rallying around the memory of a trusted friend
Friends and colleagues mourn the loss of Jasou, a
Scarborough police dog, and quickly raise funds to
pay
for his successor.
3/27/10 Maine
After more than seven years with the Scarborough
Police Department, the German shepherd succumbed
last month to a lung condition called sudden
pneumothorax. As one of the department's two dogs
that were cross-trained in patrol and narcotics
work, Jasou left a large hole in the police force
and the lives of those who worked with him.
Unsolicited donations started coming to the
department soon after the death of Jasou (pronounced
Hey-zu). Businesses, the Scarborough Public
Dispatchers Association and the Westbrook Police
Association were among the contributors for a new
K-9.
In all, the department received $6,900, which should
cover most or all of the price of an appropriate but
untrained dog. Officer James Farrenkopf, president
of the Westbrook Police Association, said his
department's K-9 program works closely with its
counterparts in Scarborough and other nearby
communities. "They needed some help. We couldn't
think of a better way to help them," Farrenkopf
said. "We know how expensive a K-9 program can be."
Eric Berry, Scarborough's lead dispatcher, said
members of his union knew Jasou. He wasn't surprised
that business people who didn't know the dog also
wanted to contribute. "As big as Scarborough seems
to be, there's still a lot of town orientation," he
said. While missing his partner terribly, Officer
Michael Sawyer has been working to find a new K-9.
Sawyer said the new dog will work with him but won't
be considered a replacement for Jasou.
Sawyer and Jasou had been together since the dog
was 15 months old. They lived together and worked
together to find lost people, track down suspects,
locate hidden drugs and do community outreach. "It's
so much of what I do. It's at home and it's at work.
It's my job," Sawyer said. "That's the toughest part
for me. Not only did I lose a great friend and
partner, I wasn't able to continue to do what I do."
Jasou – he came with the name from the Belgian
vendor – was notable for his gentle behavior and
intense work ethic, Sawyer said. The police dog
played so nicely that Sawyer had no worries about
bringing his newborn daughter home.
Jasou was driven when it came to tracking,
showing more interest in the work than the toy
reward. The new police dog won't necessarily be a
German shepherd, although Sawyer said that breed
trains well and is well-suited to Maine's cold
winters. Scent detection is a necessary trait, as
are a social temperament and the ability to work in
various environments without getting spooked. A
dog's patrol work includes protecting its handler, a
role that can involve biting. Police Chief Robert
Moulton said some of the business donors wished to
remain anonymous. All of the donors will eventually
be invited to meet the new dog in the Town Council
chambers, and those who don't prefer anonymity will
be recognized.
(Died
-pneumothorax-A
collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, is the collection
of air in the space around the lungs.
This buildup
of air puts pressure on the lung, so it cannot
expand as much as it normally does when you take a
breath)
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JESSI
March 14, 2010
Handler: Sgt. Trent Kempster
Tuscaloosa Sheriff's
Office
714 1/2 Greensboro Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 354001
PH: 205 752.0616
Well-known Tuscaloosa police dog dies
During her law enforcement career, Jessi worked security
for former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
patrolled Bryant-Denny Stadium at every University of
Alabama football game and visited hundreds of school
kids through the years. The German shepherd suffered a
stroke Sunday afternoon and died later that day. Her
handler, Sgt. Trent Kempster, said she was 15 or 16
years old. Kempster trained with Jessi in September 2000
after the department bought her from Holland.
After becoming certified, the dog was one of the few
police dogs in Alabama trained in explosives detection.
She was also trained to track people. Jessi and Kempster
traveled across the state after the terrorist attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001, performing explosives sweeps at Auburn
home football games and other events. She was also
popular with the students she visited at schools in
Tuscaloosa. “She was probably the best dog I've ever
had,” Kempster said. “She was very friendly and would
let the kids pet her and play with her.
She was just a great, great dog for police work.”
Kempster worked with Jessi for five years before she
retired in 2005. He said he occasionally runs into
people who ask about Jessi and remember her from the
community events she attended. For the last five years
of her life, she lived at his home on 3 acres with his
two other dogs. Kempster noticed a lump on Jessi's
stomach a few years ago that turned out to be cancerous.
The dog recovered fully after an operation and
maintained a frisky, puppy-like personality until her
health began to fail about a month ago. After suffering
the stroke on Sunday, she was unable to stand, Kempster
said, and he made the decision to have her put to sleep.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 JARNO
February 24, 2010
Handler:
Sgt. Bob Cooley
Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office
911 Chambers Drive
Conyers GA 30012
Phone - (770) 278-8000 - Fax - (770) 483-4543
info@rockdalesheriff.com
The Sheriff's Office will hold a memorial
service in honor of Jarno on Friday, March
12 at 2 p.m. at the Rockdale County
Sheriff's Office Courtyard Area.
Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will hold a memorial service
for one of its K-9 deputies next week. Jarno, an 11-year-old
Belgium Malinois, died unexpectedly Feb. 24, according to a RCSO
press release. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. March 12 in the
RCSO courtyard area. Jarno was cremated and leaves behind three
other RCSO canine members of the K-9 Unit, according to Rockdale
County Sheriff Jeff Wigington. Two of the remaining RCSO canines
are dual-purpose dogs, like Jarno. Dual purpose police dogs are
trained in handler protection, tracking and locating narcotics,
article recovery and criminal apprehension. The third is a black
lab trained in drug detection.
“Of course, he will never be replaced, but we do intend on
purchasing another dog,” Wigington said. The late Conyers
resident and retired DeKalb Police Lt. Mac McGlamery trained
Jarno and owned him until his death in 2007. Jarno joined the
RCSO force in February of that year, with Sgt. Bob Cooley as his
handler. Cooley was responsible for caring for the dog around
the clock, taking him into his home to do so, explained
Wigington in Monday’s RCSO press release. “The position of a K-9
deputy places the officer in the highest risk category of the
policing world, yet they do it because they love the job,”
Wigington said in the press release. According to the press
release, Jarno helped in the seizure of so many drugs and cash
during his three-year career that Sgt. Cooley could not even
speculate the exact amount. “He has been a great asset to the
department. We all saw him as more of a co-worker or a
four-legged officer rather than just an animal,” Wigington said
in the press release.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA & photo by Taye Pierce.
MORE ABOUT THE K9 UNIT:
The Rockdale
County Sheriff’s Office has three full time K-9’s and three
trained, certified K-9 deputies. The teams are trained in
narcotic detection, tracking, apprehension and article/building
searches. One of the primarily responsibilities of each K-9 is
the interdiction of all types of illegal narcotics. The K-9
deputies also respond to requests from other divisions for
assistance, as well as other agencies.
In Loving Memory of
K9 JAKE
January 8, 2010
Handler: Deputy Allen Barger
SLO Sheriff's Department
(San Luis Obispo)
1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
website:
http://www.slosheriff.org/index.aspx
Sheriff's
Department's drug-detecting dog, Jake, dies of cancer
San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department is mourning the death of Jake,
a longtime police dog that deputies say is responsible for hundreds
of drug-related arrests. Jake, a 12-year-old Labrador, died this
morning from cancer, officials said in a statement. He was assigned
to Deputy Allen Barger for the past eight years. Officials said the
four-legged deputy was responsible for more than
2,000 searches,
900 arrests and the detection of 381,599 grams of marijuana, 10,054
grams of cocaine, 14,515 grams of methamphetamine, 208 grams of
heroin and 47 firearms in his career, according to Rob Bryn,
Sheriff's Department spokesman. “Jake
was a member of the Sheriff’s Department who gave his all every day
to keep narcotics off the streets of our county,” Sheriff Pat Hedges
said in the statement. Barger is training a new dog, Jack, to
replace Jake.
submitted by
Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
|
Memorials
to Fallen K-9s