memorial2001

Two fallen Kanawha County Sheriff's Department police dogs will be memorialized
at the American Police Hall of Fame in Florida.

Riley, a police dog assigned to Deputy Chris Lyons; and Nitro, assigned to Deputy Mitch Morgan, both recently died while serving with the sheriff's department canine unit. The dogs and their handlers were inducted into the American Police Hall of Fame at a regular meeting of the Kanawha County Commission on Thursday.

Jack Rinchich, a former Charleston police officer, chief of police for the University of Charleston and president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, honored the dogs and their handlers on Thursday. The National Association of Chiefs of Police oversees the Police Hall of Fame, which memorializes both fallen police officers and fallen canine officers. "You have to realize that these dogs would die for you, and you don't even have to ask them to," said Ronald Mathis, who trained both Riley and Nitro. "It's what they're trained to do, but they want to do it." Rinchich said there is a unique bond between police officers and their canine partners. The honor came during an unusually brief 30-minute county commission meeting in which Commissioners Kent Carper, Dave Hardy and Hoppy Shores approved only a few routine business items. Carper, president of the commission, led the meeting by telephone because he is on vacation.
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Decorated Mentor police K-9 dies

Mentor Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own. K-9 officer Niko died during the night between May 3 and May 4, according to city officials. The German shepherd was at the home of his handler, Patrolman Joe Primiano. The cause of death appeared to be gastric bloating, Police Chief Dan Llewellyn said. "At the end of the day he was fine and, in the morning, he was found deceased," Llewellyn said." This is a terrible tragedy and he was a vital part of our police department, and I'd like to acknowledge the commitment that Patrolman Primiano made to this K-9 program with his partner Niko."

The chief said the patrolman and his family are devastated. Officers were ordered to wear black mourning bands for three days, and support has flowed in from well-wishers at other departments and the public. Niko was 2 years old when he was acquired in 2007, using donations from residents. Community members came together to raise money for a new police dog after K-9 Bronco was hit by a car and killed in November 2006. More than $8,900 was raised and covered the cost of the dog and some of his equipment.

Niko was trained in areas including narcotics, apprehension, building and area search, article search, tracking and aggression. He received multiple awards from the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, including Rookie of the Year in 2008, the 2008 Hero Dog Award for Public Service, and he was recognized by the Club in 2009 for excellence in tracking. Niko also was part of the department's ACE Team, which monitors interstate traffic for drug activity, and was involved in an arrest in which 25 pounds of marijuana was confiscated.

In addition, he helped apprehend a suspect who was on the International Terrorist Watch List in 2008. Niko was the department's 11th K-9 officer and, as of a few months ago, the only one. The department's other K-9 was Deuce, handled by Officer Ron Gunton, who bought him after leaving the department on disability following an injury, Llewellyn said. Mentor has the longest-standing K-9 program in Lake County, the chief has said. "It is our goal to keep the program alive," he said. "We will be making decisions how to proceed in that in the near future." The program is supported by donations. Anyone wishing to donate may call the chief's office at 440-974-5760. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA