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In Loving Memory of
K9 ACHILLES
October 22, 2012

Handler: Matt Buedel
Chief Dustin Sutton

Peoria Heights Police Department

1311 E Sciota Ave
Peoria Heights, IL

Police are on the market for a new K-9 unit after the sudden loss of the department’s first-ever dog last fall and a concentrated fundraising effort ever since.  Achilles, the Peoria Heights Police Department’s first canine member, arrived from Germany about three years ago and died  Oct. 22, 2012, less than 24 hours after showing the first sign of illness.  A necropsy revealed a mass behind his spleen, said Chief Dustin Sutton.  “Without Achilles, it’s really affected operations,” Sutton said. “We’ve had to rely on the neighboring agencies since we lost Achilles, and they aren’t always accessible.”  Donors from the community and from within the Police Department, however, have stepped up to help fill the void.  The Peoria Heights Police Benevolent Association and Forest Park Apartments
together provided $5,000 to procure a new K-9 unit. That donation, along with $700 from Richwoods Township, will cover the complete expense of the new dog and its delivery from Germany.  “It’s unusual for a department our size to have donations
cover the entire cost of the dog,” Sutton said. “Even though the administration fully supported the replacement, it’s a nice
gesture from the Benevolent.”  The department is looking to secure a new animal from the same handler who provided Achilles and expects to have the dog with a new handler within the department in the next couple of months.  “Once he’s with the handler,
 there’s a period of down time before the K-9 hits the streets,” Sutton said.  Matt Buedel can be reached at 686-3154
or mbuedel@pjstar.com.
Follow him on Twitter @JournoBuedel. 

Bartonville K-9
As the Peoria Heights Police Department prepares for the arrival of a new canine, the Bartonville Police Department is raising money for a new dog of its own. A fundraiser will be hosted later this month.  What: All you can eat fish dinner When: Event starts at 1 p.m. March 24 - Where: Club Phoenix II, 4206 W. Pfeiffer Road, Bartonville - Cost: A $10 donation is suggested for the dinner, and other items will be up for auction.
 submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
 

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In Loving Memory of
K9 ARAS
December 22, 2012


Handler: Officer Bryan Tollinger  

Bethlehem Township Police

4225 Easton Ave.
Bethlehem, PA  18020

 

Bethlehem Township, Pa., police K-9 dies

 

Officer Bryan Tollinger with his canine companion, Aras, who died Saturday.

A Bethlehem Township police K-9 dog died on Saturday after suffering health problems, township police announced on their official Facebook page. Officer Bryan Tollinger had his longtime partner, Aras, euthanized due to health concerns, according to police. "Aras' send off was attended by many of our officers and several K-9 officers from across the Lehigh Valley," police said on the Facebook page. As of 5 p.m. Sunday, there were more than 150 comments on Facebook offering the department condolences.  Submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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In Loving Memory of
K9 ALK
December 13, 2012

Handler: Officer Krista Sansen  

Concord Police Department

1350 Galindo Street

Concord, CA 94520

 

WEBSITE - http://cityofconcord.org/police/

 

Retired Police Dog 'Alk' Dies

 

The 11-year-old K-9 spent six years with the Concord Police Department before being retired and adopted by his handler in June, 2011. Alk died of cancer Thursday.

One of Concord's former K-9s has passed away.

Here's a message from Officer Ollie Sansen of the Concord Police K9 Association:
It is with great sadness that the Concord Police K9 Association announces the passing of one of our own. On December 13th, 2012 (Retired) Police K9 ‘Alk’ was laid to rest. He had just celebrated his 11th birthday on November 20th, 2012. K9 Alk came to the United States from Germany in January 2005 and he became a certified patrol K9 that March. He worked with his handler, Officer Krista Sansen for over six years, retiring from patrol on June 11th, 2011. He had been enjoying his retirement at home with his handler ever since. On 12/13, Alk, better known to his friends and family as ‘Bunny’, went in for a vet visit after his demeanor at home had changed over the past few days. Unexpectedly, we learned that Alk had developed a highly invasive and fast metastasizing form of cancer in his spleen. Splenic surgery would have prolonged his life another 1-3 months before the internal bleeding would resume and overtake him. It was the hardest, but only decision his handler could make. K9 Alk passed peacefully and with dignity, surrounded by his family. We thank Alk for the service he provided our community. He will be missed but never forgotten. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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In Loving Memory of
K9 AMBER ( MWD )

DIED – 12/11/12  -  AGE 15

Handler: ME2 JEREMY JOHNSON
SERVED IN IRAQ
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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In Loving Memory of
K9 ALEC
December 3, 2012

Handler: ?  help w/name
Tennessee Highway Patrol (retired)

This afternoon K-9 Alec was at the vet staying for a few days. His hips have been really giving him a fit the past few months and he retired from the Tennessee Highway Patrol last June. Today the vet called and said she just lost Alec. He took a deep breath and went on over to God. I am attaching a photo of Alec and a brief History of his exploits as my partner and family member. If tears shed could float a ship here would be enough to float an armada of ships. Take care and God Bless.
 My respects always.

Today Alec went over that Rainbow Bridge without me. The first time I saw Alec was in April 2007 when he took over for K-9 Coco. Alec    was a black Lab and he would get into more trouble than I could ever hope to tell about. In June of 2011 Alec retired after his hips gave him so much trouble. Here is this K-9 with so much energy wanting to play and run but his body just would not let him. Today December 3,2012 Alec was at the vet. He took one last breath and crossed over that bridge into God's arms. As we speak God has given Alec a brand new body. New hips and new lungs. All that sniffing out narcotics had a toll on his body as well. So you run Alec all day and sniff everything you want cause the body you have now will never fail you my friend.  Part of me is there with you and before long the rest will be to. You and Coco watch for me.
Your  Daddy.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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In Loving Memory of
K9 AXEL
September 20, 2012

Handler: Officer Michael Potope  

Wilson Borough Police Department

2040 Hay Terrace,
Wilson Borough, PA 18042

 

WEBSITE - http://wilsonborough.org/police-dept

 

Wilson Borough police department mourns loss of cancer-stricken K-9

 

Wilson Borough police Officer Michael Potope walks his canine partner, Axel, around a Chrysler Pacificia
 in May 2010 following a tactical police operation in Wilson Borough.

The Wilson Borough Police Department is mourning the loss of its police dog, which had to be put down Thursday after being diagnosed with cancer, Chief Steve Parkansky said. The chief said Axel, a 10-year-old German shepherd, had been training since 2003 with his handler, Officer Michael Potope. Axel was born in Hungary, came to Wilson for training in 2003 and was certified for service shortly after he arrived. Axel had been Potope’s second K-9 with the department. The dog’s death was unexpected, Parkansky said, noting the K-9 worked Wednesday. Potope said Friday he preferred not to comment.

“We look at these dogs as part of our department; all the K-9 units in the area are grieving,” Parkansky said. “It's very, very sad. It’s one of our own.” Mayor David Perruso echoed the chief's sentiments on the loss of Axel. "The officers really get attached to them," Perruso said. "It's a loss when it's someone you're with all the time. I feel bad about it." Axel was the borough's only police dog after Officer Chris Meehan retired his dog, Siroc. Axel was a state-certified narcotics and prescription drug detection dog and was assigned to police patrol duties in the areas of suspect apprehension, tracking, handler protection and different methods of search, Parkansky said.

The dog was instrumental in numerous drug finds, money seizures and nonbite apprehensions, Parkansky said. Axel also was the dog who found Duane Connelly, a Phillipsburg robbery spree suspect who led authorities from several departments on a three-hour search of the Delaware River and Getter's Island in September 2010. Parkansky called the department’s K-9 unit “invaluable,” saying the dogs can cover a lot of territory in a short amount of time. The dogs often enter dark buildings to check out scenes and let their handlers know it’s safe to enter. The dogs often play a role in finding fugitives, suspects and missing persons. “It’s an invaluable tool,” Parkansky said. “I can’t express to you how valuable they are.”Wilson has had an active K-9 unit for more than 30 years. Officer Tom Migliore is in the process of training another K-9, expected to start patrol in the department next year.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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In Loving Memory of
K9 AGAR
August 31, 2012

Handler: James M. Monnat
Lowville Police Dept.
402 Dayan St.
Lowville, NY  13367

 

 

Flags in Lowville fly at half-staff for former police dog

Village police officers have been mourning the loss of their former police dog. Agar, a 12-year-old German shepherd
who served with the Police Department for a decade until his June 2011 retirement, became ill and died Friday,
 according to Police Chief Eric C. Fredenburg. Officers wore mourning badges and village flags were flown
 at half-staff until sundown Monday, he said. The chief also credited handler James M. Monnat,
a retired Police Department sergeant who has served as Lewis County undersheriff since January.
Agar had lived with Mr. Monnat and his wife, Beth, in their home near Beaver Falls. The county has been
without a police dog since his retirement, but the Sheriff’s Department plans to add one.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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In Loving Memory of
K9 ALTOF
July 8, 2012

Handler: Officer Jeremy Ford
Centreville Police Department
5800 Bond Ave.
Centreville, IL  62207 
 

Police Dog's Heat Related Death Investigated  

Less than 24 hours after he was admitted to an emergency animal hospital, Centreville police dog Altof,
 who appeared to be in distress due to the heat, was euthanized. Centreville Police Chief Steven Brown said
it's a somber time around the police department because Altof, a German shepherd, was like a member
 of the family. An investigation will start Monday to determine what caused the dog's health to
suddenly deteriorate so rapidly that it needed emergency medical attention. Altof was taken to
 Touchette Regional Hospital, then a dog hospital in Edwardsville and finally ended up at an emergency
clinic in Collinsville shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.

Brown said doctors from the emergency clinic called Sunday morning to say the dog had taken a turn for
the worse. Brown and several other members of the department went there. "Throughout the night,
 he started bleeding profusely. I authorized blood transfusions and we all hoped he would pull through,
 but his body kept shutting down," Brown said. "The doctor said they didn't think he would live
 through the day. After talking with some other members of the police department and the mayor,
 we had to make the agonizing decision to have Altof euthanized." Although he has no official
medical report yet, from all indications "it does appear the heat got to him," Brown said about Altof.

There will be meeting with members of the Drop Team, a special narcotic detail in the Centreville
Police Department, Monday to find out the sequence of events that led up to Altof needing
 emergency medical care, Brown said. It appeared the dog was fine when he left with the narcotics
 team Friday, Brown said. Altof went out at 7 a.m. with the team to round up individuals they
had arrest warrants for. He even traveled with the team to St. Louis where they recovered a stolen
 vehicle. Temperatures outside Friday reached as high as 106. Altof was transported in a SUV
that was specifically designed for him.

Some residents, who called a News-Democrat reporter, said the dog was left inside of the SUV for
 an extended period of time. Brown said he does not know that to be the case. "He was an outstanding
canine dog. He did so much and worked well because he was well trained and properly nourished
and groomed," Brown said. "Now, I will have to see whether the board and the mayor will approve
us for another dog or if they will have us to hold off on getting a new dog." Altof will be cremated
 and given a burial fitting a police officer, Brown said. "We want to do a graveside burial. Everyone
 on the department is taking the loss of this dog very hard," Brown said. The department's canine
 officer is Jeremy Ford. Altof cost $6,000 and came from Europe to join the department
 last fall.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of
K9 AXEL
2012

Handler: Officer David Leo
Chelmsford Police Department
2 Olde North Road
Chelmsford, MA  01824

Police Mourning Loss of K-9 Partner

Axel was a member of the Chelmsford Police Department since November 2008

Weeks before his fifth birthday, Axel, the Police Department's canine, was put down yesterday after a brief illness with cancer. A Czechoslovakian shepherd, Axel was the four-legged member of the Police Department since November 2008. K-9 Officer David Leo was Axel's handler. Leo said the dog he has had for almost five years will be missed. "He was a good dog, very loyal, very protective of me," Leo said. But unlike the department's previous dog, Andy, who was very sociable and loved to play, Axel was all business. "He was just all business all the time," said Leo. When Leo would throw a toy, Axel would bring it back, but wouldn't let it out of his mouth. But Leo said Axel was a great dog as far as tracking and assisting with drug work. "That's what he was for and that's what he did and he was good at it," said Leo. Chief James Murphy said in a press release that Axel "has been instrumental in assisting officers in numerous tracking and searching operations." The department plans on getting a new police dog. Andy, a German shepherd, died in 2008 from a bacterial infection that he likely picked up while chasing a suspect through a swamp, said Leo.  submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA __________________________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of
K9 AJAX
June 18, 2012

Handler: Officer Doug Wendling
Emmaus Police Station
400 Jubilee St.
Emmaus, PA  18049
 

The Emmaus Police Department sadly regrets to announce the passing of former Police K9 “Ajax.” K9 Ajax peacefully entered eternal rest on June 18, 2012. K9 Ajax was a male German Shepherd imported from the Czech Republic. All of Ajax’s training was conducted by Doug Wendling of Progressive K9 Academy, Walnutport, Pa. Ajax was cross-trained for patrol duties and narcotics. Ajax dutifully served the Emmaus Police Department for seven years, six months, having retired from active duty with honor in 2009. Since 1990, the Emmaus Lions Club has purchased every police dog for the Borough including Ajax.

K9 Ajax was handled by K9 Officer Craig J. Blose. The K9 Team had a productive and distinguished career. During his time of service, K9 Ajax was largely responsible for 49 felony and 72 misdemeanor arrests. K9 Ajax played a primary role in the seizure of 51.6 pounds of illegal narcotics having a combined street value of $175,000.00. K9 Ajax recovered 34 weapons used in the commission of crimes, 19 of those were stolen firearms. K9 Ajax participated in more than 70 educational demonstrations for schools, neighborhood watch groups, Girls and Boy Scouts, churches and elderly and civic organizations. During the spring of 2005, K9 Officer Blose and Ajax appeared on the front cover of the first edition of Police K9 Magazine.

 

Ajax was also responsible for many service related accomplishments including safely locating 21 individuals, which included a variety of health-related and other physical conditions. Most notably, in 2005, Ajax tracked and located a 5-year-old autistic boy who had wandered away from his home during severe storms. During his service, K9 Ajax accumulated numerous awards, recognition, letters of commendation and unit citations. Those include and are not limited to: PA. State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), DEA, ATF, State Attorney General’s Office, Allentown PD, Macungie PD, Salisbury PD, Alburtis PD, South Whitehall PD, Quakertown PD, Catasauqua PD, North Catasauqua PD, Walnutport PD, Fountain Hill PD, Richland Township PD, Springfield Township PD, Lehigh Valley International Airport and the PA. House of Representatives.

 

Emmaus Police Chief David A. Faust commented on the death and career of K9 Ajax: “Any time we lose a police dog, we lose a member of our family. These dogs are highly trained and skilled and provide a significant advantage for law enforcement agencies in our day-to-day operations. Canines provide an extra level of safety for the officers as they possess instincts and capabilities not otherwise available through human nature. Ajax had an incredibly successful and distinguished career with the Emmaus Police Department. He will be sorely missed.”  submitted by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir.

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In Loving Memory of
K9 ANNO
September 2012

Handler: Officer Mitch Caldwell

Fruita Police Department
101 W. McCune Ave.

Fruita, CO 81521

 

WEBSITE - http://www.fruita.org/pd.htm 

Fruita police dog Anno dies at 13
The Fruita Police Department’s German shepherd Anno is shown during a training exercise.
The dog was a quick learner, said retired officer Mitch Caldwell, Anno’s longtime handler.

Storied Fruita police dog Anno dies at 13
By Paul Shockley Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Anno lived a life of notable firsts.
He was likely the first police-trained dog to grab headlines on the streets of Denver for reasons unrelated
 to law enforcement work.  On his first day on the job at the Fruita Police Department in 2001,
the German shepherd made less than a stellar impression on the boss.

“(Chief Mark) Angelo said he wanted him to be in the building, unless he starts using my office as a bathroom,”
 said retired Fruita police officer Mitch Caldwell, 43, Anno’s partner and longtime handler. “Of course,
 the first day we had him, he used the bathroom in the office.” Angelo discovered the office surprise,
Caldwell recalled.

Anno had free rein to roam the hallways of the Police Department, frequently getting inside the
building first before Caldwell in order to sneak a snack from the animal control officer.
Anno died last Tuesday, the result of a rapid decline with the dog’s failing back and hips. He was 13.

“I keep looking around the house expecting to see him,” Caldwell said Thursday. “We pretty much were
not separated for 12 years. When I went out of town, he went with me.”  Purchased for $2,000,
Caldwell said he shortened the dog’s original name: Sir Anno Von Barkenhaus.  “He learned real fast ...
 certified to do drug detection in three weeks and took another three months to learn building
searches, tracking and handler protection,” Caldwell said.  Anno had a distinctive, high-pitched
squeal as opposed to a low growl, he said. “It stayed with him his whole career,” Caldwell said.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time, when someone was hiding in a building, they’d come out after
 hearing that.”Caldwell’s early years with the dog included a publicized misadventure away from the job.
While Caldwell was visiting his grandmother in Denver in 2002, Anno hopped a fence and strolled downtown.
“I ended up calling the Denver Police Department, and they basically said you should have kept
better track of your dog,” Caldwell said.  Animal-control officers eventually found Anno, roughly
four blocks away from the home. The police dog’s wayward ramble made the day’s news with
a Denver television station. Anno, after his retirement in 2009, continued to represent Fruita police
in special events and demonstrations for children.
“He was my partner, not just a dog,” Caldwell said. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

On October 18th, 2007 he was taken to the veterinarian for a further exam. X-rays revealed that Arco had an enlarged heart and was officially retired the following day. Arco's condition rapidly deteriorated and he was put to rest on November 9th, 2007, only sixteen days before completing 11 years of service for the City of Port Angeles. Arco sustained numerous injuries over the years. The most significant was the loss of two canine teeth and a fractured rib from various confrontations with suspects. In almost 11 years of work he never missed a day. During the course of his career, Arco recorded 362 felony apprehensions as well as locating evidence that lead to both felony and misdemeanor convictions. Arco was cross-trained for narcotics and was responsible for hundreds of drug finds. He was deployed throughout the entire Olympic Peninsula and rendered K-9 support for various law enforcement agencies. His accolades include the apprehension of a murder suspect, numerous accreditations, certifications, and "Top-Dog" awards. Arco was the Port Angeles Police Departments first K-9 team, established in 1996, largely in part to a generous donation by the Atlantic Richfield Corp (ARCO) and the strong support of City Councilman/former Mayor Gary Braun and former Police Chief Stephen Ilk. The unit was expanded to a second K-9 team in 2002, K-9 Handler Allen Brusseau and K-9 Kilo. The financial support for the second team came from a generous contribution from a private donor. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to help support the Port Angeles Police K-9 Unit can contact Liz Zenonian, Port Angeles Police Department Records Supervisor at 360-417-4910.
                                                                                    submitted by Jim Cortina, CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 ANDER
May 18, 2002 - February 5, 2012

Handler: Sgt. John Gillespie
Union County Sheriff’s Department
300 North Avenue East  Westfield, NJ 07090
(908) 654-9800 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE (908) 654-9800 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Sgt. John Gillespie and partner K9 Ander graduated the New Jersey State Police Canine Training Academy,
July 27,2006 as a Patrol/Narcotics K9 Team after completing 28 weeks of training.
K9 Ander had a very successful career until his early retirement in December 2011.
On August 25,2011 while starting our shift Ander did not seem himself so I brought him to our
veterinarian for an exam. It was learned that Ander was bleeding internally and had a mass
 on his spleen. He immediately underwent emergency surgery to remove his spleen.
Ander recovered quickly and returned to full duty in a few weeks, however was given a
 prognosis of the cancer returning anywhere from a month to 7 months.
On December 9th after completing our shift Ander was walking in the house and
 suddenly collapsed. I rushed him to the hospital and it was determined he again
was bleeding internally...the cancer had returned. He was given IV fluids and had regained strength.
With a saddened heart It was time for Ander to retire from the job he loved so well.
Over the next couple months Ander had good days and bad days and some really good days.
Our only Christmas wish was to have Ander with us on Christmas Day and our wishes came true.
Ander continued to bring joy to the family until February 5th when he passed away at home.
K9 Ander was a loyal partner, loving family member, and friends to many.
He truly will be missed by us all. He is now patrolling the streets in heaven with
my first partner, K9 Git Ander, who was killed in The Line of Duty on September 26, 2001.
Rest in Peace boys
submitted by John Gillespie, NJ

In Loving Memory of
K9 ANDY
June 26, 2012

 
Handler: Cpl. Scott Holmes
 Vermilion Police Department
5791 Liberty Ave.
Vermilion, OH  44089

Police K-9 Andy dies during training exercise 
Andy, the Vermilion police dog, died Tuesday when he fell out a window during a training exercise in Sandusky. Police Chief Christopher Hartung said Andy was training with his handler, Cpl. Scott Holmes. "The exercise was for Andy to locate two people hiding in a building," Hartung said. "Andy ran up a flight of stairs and apparently skidded into and through a window. He fell about 10 feet and landed on his back, breaking it." Holmes ran outside and found the dog and administered first aid. "They were about to take him to a veterinarian, but his injuries were too severe," Hartung said. "He died in Cpl. Holmes' arms." Hartung said the death of the popular dog is a blow to the community.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA