In Loving Memory of
K9 RIKKI
December 14, 2011

Handlers: Paul Price & Rany Kromeer
Bethlehem, PA
Luzerne County

Rikki, a narcotic and patrol canine which served for 10 years, died Wednesday at the age of 15 years, Police Chief Al Walker said. Rikki began service in 1999 and retired in July 2009. Many law enforcement agencies took advantage of Rikki being utilized in numerous drug sweeps across Luzerne County and the commonwealth. Rikki was involved in at least 400 narcotic searches during its service.
Rikki's last narcotics search on July 3, 2009, which resulted in the discovery of more than 4 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of a man from a Boland Avenue, Hanover Township, apartment building. Narcotic officers raided the second floor apartment as Rikki indicated drugs hidden in a closet. That led officers to recover the marijuana, digital scales and packaging materials, according to arrest records. The man arrested after the search was sentenced to state prison for one to two years, court records say. Rikki received a second place award at the 2008 Lackawanna County Chiefs of Police canine competition that involved 19 other canines.
Rikki was trained by Paul Price, Northeast Police K-9 in Wilkes-Barre Township and the late Randy Kromer, Kromerhaus Kennels in Bethlehem.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Police-canine-Rikki-dies-.html#ixzz1gdkOaQpR
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 RINKEE
December 6, 2011

Handler: Officer Maheswar Mallick

Kandhamal Police
Berhampur India

Police dog dies in Kandhamal

The police dog that served Kandhamal police for the last five years died on Tuesday morning. The canine, Rinkee, was battling illness for the last three days. "The dog about 10 years old died due to old-age," a police officer said. SP (Kandhamal) J N Pankaj said Rinkee was an asset for police. The dog detected three murder cases, several dacoities, robberies and theft cases after it joined the district police in 2006. It was also engaged in several critical cases in neighbouring Boudh, Gajapati and Ganjam districts. She also got many awards, including four this year, said her handler, Maheswar Mallick. "I will feel very lonely now," he said. He had been handling the animal since 2006. Rinkee was trained in Cuttack for two years and worked in Bhubaneswar for three years before being shifted to Kandhamal. The dog was born on April 26, 2001, said its handler. After Rinkee's death, the Maoist-hit Kandhamal district is left with Sher, the police dog generally engaged in bomb and explosive detection. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 ROCKY
December 4, 2011

Handler: Deputy Craig Beiter

Niagara County Sheriff's Office

5526 Niagara Street Ext.

P.O. Box 496

Lockport, New York 14095-0496

* (716) 438-3393 * Fax (716) 438-3302

WEBSITE - http://www.niagarasheriff.com/

Niagara County K-9 killed in fall LODD (Line of duty death)

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office says one of its K9 units died in a fall in the City of Niagara Falls Sunday. Sheriff's deputies say Rocky, a two and a half year old German Shepherd was searching for burglary suspects with his handler Deputy Craig Beiter when he fell from a rooftop. The sheriff's office expects to release more information Monday.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
______

K9 Rocky remembered

12/13/11 - New York

Niagara County Sheriff Deputy K-9 handler Craig Beiter dabs a tear after Niagara County Sheriff Sgt. James Hildreth gave a eulogy to Rocky the K-9 during a memorial ceremony Monday for Rocky at Starpoint High School. Rocky fell to his death while hunting for burglary suspects in a Niagara Falls building.

Loyalty. Respect. Love. “Rocky” was as fierce a defender, and as faithful a companion, as a dog could be. The 2 1/2 -year-old German shepherd police dog, who fell to his death Dec. 4 while searching an abandoned building in Niagara Falls, was remembered fondly Monday in a memorial tribute at Starpoint High School. Nearly 500 people, about half law enforcement officers from points as distant as Syracuse and Toronto, attended. The hour-long service included remarks by county law enforcement leaders and a short video collage showing Rocky and his handler/partner, Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Beiter, at work and play.

Throughout, 25 K-9s and their handlers flanked the audience, the canines’ random barks and squeals punctuating — and occasionally drowning out — the human speakers. “Rocky was an amazing crime fighter,” Sheriff James Voutour said of the dog that graduated top of his K9 training class in spring 2009. “Rocky did what he always did best: He put himself in harm’s way” to protect his handler, Niagara Falls Police Chief John Chella said. The K9 leaped over a three-foot retaining wall and went off the roof of a six-story vacant nursing home on Sixth Street, while searching for suspected burglars. Falls police had asked for sheriff’s K9 assistance in the search, and got help instantly from two teams: Beiter and Rocky, and Sgt. James Hildreth with his service dog Sarge.

The department lost a valued member, and Beiter lost his partner and dear friend, when Rocky fell, Hildreth said. “It’s difficult to explain. If you’re an animal handler, you understand the bond” between man and dog. Add in the law enforcement partnership and the bond is multiplied, he said. The sadness is amplified by the fact Rocky was doing what a K9 naturally does when he fell, according to Voutour. Pursuing the bad guy “was a game for Rocky. He was back on his playing field ... just looking for his toy,” he said. There’s been an outpouring of sympathy for the Beiter family’s loss, according to Craig Beiter’s wife Jennifer. “Mountains” of cards, many from school children who encountered Rocky on happy terms, remind them that the dog they sheltered, fed and counted as a member of the family on Christmas cards was loved and appreciated by the community at large too. That’s a comfort, Mrs. Beiter said.

Rocky’s history as a Niagara County Sheriff’s K-9 was relatively brief, but distinguished. Voutour credits him for the seizure of more than $120,000 in cash and drugs. On his and Beiter’s first day of duty together, they busted a wanted fugitive in Lockport. This year, Rocky located key evidence in the investigation of a fatal stabbing at the Walmart Supercenter in Albion and earlier helped track a suspect in the murder of an Albion girl.
credit of photos - etc..

nfischer@buffnews.com

In Loving Memory of
K9 RUSH

November 11, 2011
(11/11/11)

Handler: Det. Const. Jim Stephenson

Durham Police Department

605 Rossland Rd. E,

Box 911

Whitby, Ontario, Canada; L1N 0B8

WEBSITE - http://www.drps.ca/internet_explorer/index.asp

Durham police mourn the loss of Rush the K-9

Rush, a Durham Regional Police dog, is shown with his handler Det. Const. Jim Stephenson.
Rush died of natural causes on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011.

Durham Regional Police are mourning the loss of one of their own on Tuesday – a German Shepherd named Rush. The 13-year-old retired K-9 died of natural causes last Friday in the company of his handler Det. Const. Jim Stephenson. Rush, who was born in the Czech Republic, was partnered with Stephenson for his entire career as a police dog. Rush served the Durham Regional Police force for eight years and was primarily responsible for general response and firearm detection. Before he retired in August 2008, Rush was instrumental in 80 arrests. The faithful canine also helped in locating missing persons, evidence detection, locating and apprehending criminal subjects, protecting the public and police officers, and firearm and drug detection.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 RED
November 27, 2011

Handler: Deputy John Lavinder
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
70 East Court St. Suite 101
Virgil H. Goode Building
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
540-483-3000

Franklin County police dog hit, killed by car

Red, a rookie in law enforcement, did his job to the end. The 18-month-old bloodhound became what's believed to be the first police dog in Franklin County Sheriff's Office service killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a car Sunday after getting away from his handler while tracking a scent. Deputy John Lavinder with Red and other deputies were investigating a breaking-and-entering call at a business on U.S. 220 north about 10:30p.m., Lavinder said. The deputies and Red went through a field where there was some excavating and grading being done. About halfway through, Lavinder and another deputy sank to their knees in mud, he said. Lavinder held on to Red's lead and got free, but took another few steps and sank again. That time, he dropped the lead, he said.

"He was moving away; all I needed was one more step to get him," Lavinder said. "He kept on following the scent, and we were calling him, but with the bloodhounds, they lock on the scent trail and they're on it." It took four or five minutes for the deputies to get out of the mud, and by that time another deputy had found Red, who was already dead, he said. Lavinder does not blame the driver. "It wasn't their fault," he said. Red "probably just followed the scent right into the road, and there wasn't anything they could do." Red was the first Franklin County police dog killed in the line of duty that Lavinder is aware of, he said. The department has five other dogs, including another bloodhound named Dellie, who also works with Lavinder.

Red was training to take Dellie's place, because that dog is nearing retirement age, Lavinder said. Red was born in May 2010, and began his training with Lavinder in September. He began working in the department in May, Lavinder said. Red has already been buried privately, but deputies may hold a memorial service later, Lavinder said. A memorial at the Virginia Law Enforcement K-9 Memorial sits outside the Virginia-Maryland Regional School of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and names the police dogs killed in the line of duty in the state. Before it was unveiled in 2008, it had been a longtime dream of John Hoover, a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and a master trainer with the Virginia Police Work Dog Association. According to the memorial's Facebook page, the memorial was last updated in August, when three dogs' names were added.
M O R E :

Deputy John Lavinder and Bloodhound Red make up the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Bloodhound search team. Red is an AKC registered Bloodhound. John has been handling man trailing Bloodhounds since 1992. He is a member and instructor for the National Police Bloodhound Association, the Virginia Bloodhound Search and Rescue Association, and International K- 9 Academy, and has attended and instructed at many seminars throughout the years for these associations. He is listed as a resource for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. At present, he has handled five Bloodhounds. The Bloodhound is used for locating missing persons, and suspects who have left a crime scene.

submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 ROCKY

October 8, 2011

Handler: Cpl. Cassidy Perry

Pinellas Park Police

WEBSITE - http://www.pinellas-park.com/departments/police/

Rocky, a former Pinellas Park police dog, dies with 206 apprehensions under his belt

Police Cpl. Cassidy Perry remembers the car Pinellas Park narcotics officers suspected of carrying drugs. The officers called in Perry's partner, Rocky, for help. The German shepherd sniffed at the vehicle and then jumped onto the trunk and sat there. Officers opened the trunk and found $999,000 in cash stuffed into two duffel bags. Rocky had smelled drug residue on the cash. The arrests that day added to the list of 206 apprehensions attributed to Rocky during his six years with the Pinellas Park Police Department. Rocky, who retired from the department in 2009, died Saturday in his sleep. He was 9.
"He was an old man," Perry said. "He was just shy of his 10th birthday." Rocky came into Perry's life in 2003 when he was 15 months old. The Pinellas Park department imported him from Hungary. The two spent most of their early days together training and getting Rocky dual certified so he could do both patrol and narcotics work. Perry said Rocky excelled in all his duties, but he was especially good at tracking/smelling drugs and biting. His bite was so powerful that even trainers wearing protective gear dreaded being bitten.
"He had a reputation of being a pretty aggressive police dog," Perry said. "He had a bunch of great catches." But that changed at home and around children, who could pet him without fear of harm. At those times, "he was very social," Perry said. "He was laid back. He was a family member at home." As Rocky grew older, the Florida heat became too much for him and he retired at the end of 2009. Perry took him home where he could just be a dog. But Rocky had other ideas. "He wasn't happy with his retirement," Perry said. Rocky would dig big holes in the back yard. And he kept his powerful jaws in shape. "He would chew rocks."
About 10 months ago, a vet removed some of Rocky's intestines where tumors had been found. The vet told Perry there were no guarantees, but Rocky perked up after the surgery. Until Saturday, that is." He just passed in the middle of the night," Perry said. Although Perry has a new canine partner, he said he misses Rocky. "He was a normal dog just like everybody else's dog. He just did some pretty cool tricks during the day."
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 ROLF

September 29, 2011

Handler: Officer Richard Stutte

Darien Police Department

1710 Plainfield Road

Darien, IL 60561

Fax: 630-971-4326

‘The Greatest Partner I Could Have Asked For’: Remembering K-9 Officer Rolf

Rolf, the dog credited with the largest drug cash seizure in Darien history, died Thursday at age 10.

Darien Police Officer Richard Stutte and his K-9 partner, Rolf. Rolf died Thursday after a brief illness.

German shepherds can be intimidating dogs—no less when they’ve been trained to track and apprehend criminals.

Darien Police K-9 Officer Rolf displayed that toughness when he needed to, aiding in drug busts and other arrests throughout DuPage County. But there was more to Rolf than that steely attitude. Just as quickly as he snapped to attention on the job, he could slip back into his normal, easygoing demeanor. Every holiday season, he’d visit sick children as part of the DuPage County Police Association’s Hospital Toy Run—and he was just as comfortable cuddling with the kids as he was chasing a suspect. “Seeing the kids smile and laugh was one of the most incredible things I ever did with Rolf,” said Darien Police Officer Richard Stutte, Rolf’s human partner of nearly eight years. Stutte said goodbye to his partner Thursday when Rolf was put down after a brief illness. He was 10 years old. Rolf came to the Darien Police Department in late 2003 after Stutte and Officer Steve Liss crafted a proposal to start a K-9 unit. Though the initial proposal included just one dog, Sgt. Gerry Piccoli, who supervises the K-9 unit, said the Darien Chamber of Commerce thought it was such a great idea that it donated the money to purchase a second dog. Stutte and Liss went through six weeks of rigorous training at Landheim Kennels in Indiana—crawling through mud, running through the woods and even getting bit by the dogs. “We had to be the ones to get bit because you couldn’t pay someone to do it,” Stutte said. During the first week, the kennel owners watched the human-dog interactions to determine the pairings. Stutte and Rolf hit it off from the start. “He was very easygoing and very playful,” Stutte said. “Some police dogs are a little aggressive, but he was just a big baby.” Piccoli said the department started the K-9 unit with the aim of being the best in DuPage County. No matter where, no matter when, it was there to answer calls for help. “The reputation they developed was that they could be counted on, and if you need us we will help any way we can,” he said. Rolf cemented his legacy with his involvement in the largest drug cash seizure in Darien history—a vehicle search that netted about $119,000 in drug money, Stutte said. "Our K-9 teams were designed to get drugs off the street, catch bad guys, locate lost people and articles, play nice with nice people, and in certain situations go into harms’ way for any police officer. If they got us money, that was a bonus," Piccoli said. "Rolf did all of these things." It was Rolf’s ability to connect with people that Stutte said he would remember most. Rolf was a frequent presence at the Darien Citizens Police Academy, showcasing the role of the K-9 unit. He was also a fixture at community events, such as last month’s Sept. 11 memorial dedication at the Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District. Stutte said one of his most cherished memories is seeing Rolf that day surrounded by all of the miniature American flags. Stutte and Rolf shared a remarkable bond, spending almost every single moment by each other’s side. They not only worked together, they lived together—Rolf cruising in the back seat of Stutte's squad car by day and sleeping at his bedside by night. "I think I had the greatest partner I ever could have asked for," Stutte said. It was after a post-night-shift nap Thursday that Stutte noticed something wasn’t right. Rolf’s body language was off. When Stutte let him out in the rain, he didn’t prance quickly in and out as usual. He just lay in the grass. Stutte took him to the vet, who found a growth on Rolf’s heart. And so, surrounded by other Darien police officers, including Piccoli and Deputy Chief David Skala, Stutte said goodbye to Rolf. In the days since, Stutte said he’s received a monumental outpouring of community support. By Friday morning, his inbox was overflowing with more than 180 condolence emails. New Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown called to offer his sympathy, even though he never met Rolf and has yet to meet Stutte. It’s a level of support Stutte said defined Rolf’s tenure with the department. “We were very fortunate to have had a very supportive city and department that allowed us a lot of training others could only hope for,” he said. “We weren’t lacking in anything.” But without even knowing how fortunate he was, Rolf was there to return the favor, supporting and protecting the people of Darien. “Most K-9s know they would lay down their life for their partner,” Stutte said. “They don’t even understand why. They just know it’s their job.”
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 REED
&
Deputy Brian Gross

July 28, 200
(ck this one later)

Trooper Fred Guthrie, 46, drowned on 8/1/11 while on duty in the area of Route 118 and Route 111 in Holt County Missouri. Trooper Guthrie was on river flood patrol duty at the time. He was last seen having lunch with other troopers at 1:00p.m. on 8/1/11. At 3:00 p.m. his work vehicle was found with the engine running with the drivers door open and with boat still attached to a trailer and Trooper Guthrie could not be located. His K9 partner “Reed”, a German Shepherd and five year veteran of the patrol was found dead in the water on 8/2/11 at 6:25 p.m. The K9 was recovered about 100 yards away from where Trooper Guthrie’s vehicle was found. No one saw Trooper Guthrie enter the water so it is not known why he entered the water. Trooper Guthrie had been in law enforcement for seventeen years. On August 27, 2008, Officer Guthrie was presented with The Medal of Valor by Gov. Matt Blunt. Trooper Guthrie was presented the award for saving a woman on June 22, 2007 from drowning in Smithville Lake. The award is presented to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life. This act is deemed to be above and beyond the call of duty. He is survived by his wife and three children ages 14 to 20 years old. Donations can be made in care of the Guthrie Family Fund, Bank of Weston, P.O. Box 8, Weston, Missouri, 64098.

submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 RINA
July 12, 2011

Handlers: Officer Al Chavez & Lt. Aaron Wright

California State Park

State Parks loses police dog - California
California State Parks announced the loss of a police dog that died from a recent emergency surgery for a medical condition. Known as Rina, the dog was a 7-year-old German shepherd born in Czechoslovakia in 2004 and brought to the United States when she was a year old. Parks Ranger Daniel Kenney said Rina came to State Parks in 2005 and was handled by officer Al Chavez. Chavez and Rina worked for State Parks district wide for five years in the Santa Cruz area, both on the coast and in the mountain areas there.
Rina was assigned to a new handler, Parks Lt. Aaron Wright, at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area in 2010. Recently, Wright was promoted to Clear Lake State Parks and Rina went with him. She contracted a medical condition there. Rina died July 12 during emergency surgery in Sacramento.

Although police dogs are known for protecting their handlers, apprehending suspects, and searching and tracking, dogs can also assist with search and rescue operations. "The biggest benefit I have seen with canines is their ability to help suspects make better decisions," stated Wright, in a press release. "People usually stop fighting, running, or being uncooperative when a canine arrives, making the communities they work in safer." submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
(generic photo)

In Loving Memory of
K9 RUGER
2011

Handler: Patrolman Roy Angler

Cambridge Police Department

601 Southgate Parkway
Cambridge OH 43275

Phone: 740-439-4431-Fax: 740-439-5670

WEBSITE - http://www.cambridgeoh.org/police.htm

Cambridge Police Lose K-9 Officer

The Cambridge Police Department mourns the loss of one of their fellow officers after a brief and sudden illness. Tuesday, the Department laid to rest Canine Ruger. Ruger served as a dual purpose canine during the city's nighttime hours for over three years. He specialized in narcotics detection, but was also utilized as a patrol dog to track and apprehend suspects, search buildings and find hidden articles. The canine officer was handled by Patrolman Roy Angler a 12-year veteran of the department. The two logged over 650 hours together before certifying with a perfect score by an independent state evaluator. The City of Cambridge, the Police Department and the Angler family said Ruger will be sorely missed. submitted by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir.

In Loving Memory of
K9 RANGER
July 20, 2011

Handler: Sgt. Brad Lewis
Glasgow Police Department
501 Court Square #19
Glasgow, MT 59230
Non-emergency: 406-228-4333

Members of the Glasgow Police Department lost a valuable member of their team last Wednesday when K-9 Ranger died after being bitten by a rattlesnake. The department acquired the dog in January 2009 after Glasgow was selected to receive him by raffle through the Pennyrile Narcotic Task Force and the Calloway Sheriff’s Department. During the last two and a half years, Ranger helped officers in several drug-related arrests, according to a GPD release. Ranger’s partner and trainer was Sgt. Brad Lewis. The police department will have a ceremony to honor Ranger on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the station on South Broadway. Representatives of law enforcement agencies, officers of the court and members of the community are invited to attend.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 RILEY & K9 NITRO

Handlers: Deputy Chris Lyons (Riley)
Deputy Mitch Morgin (Nitro)
Kanawha County Sheriff's Dept.
Charleston, W. VA

Sheriff's department police dogs join national memorial

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.
more:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- 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. By Staff reports The Carleston Gazette