Memorials to Fallen K-9s 
 2012-E

The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of memorial cards to all partners 
 I need your help to inform me of such losses.

Dept. addresses available for those who want to send condolences to officers. See below
In Loving Memory of
K9 EDDIE
April 16, 2012

 Handler: ?
LaSalle County State’s Attorney Felony Enforcement
(SAFE) Unit
Peru, llinois

Police dog dies on interstate
A police dog from LaSalle County has been found dead on a northern Illinois interstate.
The News-Tribune in LaSalle reports Tuesday that Eddie the German shepherd was found late Monday after an hours-long search. Authorities believe he was struck and killed by a motorist after the dog's kennel was knocked over by rain and wind. He was found near the junction of Interstates 80 and 39.

The LaSalle County State's Attorney Felony Enforcement Unit used Eddie to sniff for marijuana and narcotics. State's attorney Brian Towne says Eddie was an "excellent narcotics dog."
Rain and wind appear to have knocked over a kennel that housed a drug-sniffing dog that disappeared and was found dead Monday near the junction of interstates 80 and 39.

The La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed today that “Eddie,” a German shepherd trained to sniff for narcotics, was found dead on the roadside at 8:30 p.m. Monday following an hours-long search. He was believed to have been struck and killed by a passing motor vehicle.
Eddie was retained six weeks ago by the La Salle County State’s Attorney Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Unit, a cannabis and narcotics detail run by the prosecutor’s office.
State’s attorney Brian Towne called Eddie an “excellent narcotics dog,” and lamented his disappearance and death. Towne said he and his staff aren’t quite sure when and how Eddie got out of his kennel, but he thinks blustery weather may have played a part.
“We think the ground grew loose with the rain and the wind blew over his kennel,” he speculated.
More than a dozen people were dispatched to locate the dog. The remains were recovered late Monday evening with no indication of what vehicle might have hit it. The SAFE Unit has confiscated hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs but has had some tough luck in the K-9 department. The unit’s first dog, a female, was returned to its breeder with heartworm and the unit had to employ animals from local police departments while waiting for Eddie, who now must be replaced.

Towne said he and his staff would discuss today when and how to replace Eddie. 
submitted bys Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
Tom Collins  Staff Writer
 

In Loving Memory of
K9 EXEL

February 22, 2012
  
Handler: Officer Doug Parker

Lake County Police Department
2293 N. Main Street
 Crown Point, IN  46307-1854
website: http://lakecountysheriff.com

 Sheriff’s Police K9 Exel dies

Lake County Police Officer, Doug Parker and his K9 partner, Excel, stand among evidence of a drug bust. Excel recently passed away due to a digestive disorder.

The relationship between a police officer and his K9 partner is very special. They train together for months to become an effective partnership. Officer Doug Parker worked and lived with his K9 partner Exel for four years. Police K9 Exel died last week, due to a medical condition, according to Deputy Commander Rob Arnold, the sheriff’s Public Information Officer. Exel was a 6-year-old Malinois. This is the second local dog in recent months that has either had an illness that caused early retirement or an illness that caused the dog to die. The previous K9 was from the Crown Point Police K9 Unit. Exel was trained in narcotics detection, tracking, protection of his partner, building searches and obedience.

“Exel will be missed by K9 handlers around the area as he was an intricate part of the Lake County Police Department’s K9 Unit,” said Arnold. He added, “Officer Parker is saddened by the loss of his partner, his passion and love for working and training canines for police work lives on.” The department intends to purchase a new dog to become Parker’s partner. A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held at Northwood’s Restaurant, 8101 U.S. 41 in St. John on March 25th from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $15 per ticket. There will be an open bar, raffles and live bands for your entertainment. Two-thirds of all proceeds will be donated to the Lake County K9 Association for the purchase of a new partner for Officer Parker.

“We are saddened by it. We are going to do everything we can to get him a new partner,” said Sheriff John Buncich. He added, “This dog has received several commendations for drug busts along with Officer Parker.” The cost of a police canine is between $10,000 and $15,000. Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a check or money order payable to the Lake County K9 Association, in care of Doug Parker, P.O. Box 161, Lowell, IN 46356. The Lake County K9 Association hopes not just to purchase one dog, but to set up a fund for future care and expansion of the K9 Unit. These officer-dog teams not only take care of the needs of the sheriff’s office but help communities within Lake County that do not have their own K9 units.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

In Loving Memory of
K9 EROS
February 3, 2012

 
Handler: Sgt. Mark Monks
Portage Police Department
2693 Irving St.
Portage, IN   46368
PH:

 
Police dog dies after injury
Portage police Sgt. Mark Monks poses with police dog, Eros, who died Feb. 3.
 

Portage's police dog, Eros, died Friday -- nearly a month after having emergency surgery for a ruptured disc in his neck. Eros' partner, Sgt. Mark Monks, said the dog -- who had been with the department for eight years -- did not recover from the surgery. "For the past week or so he seemed to slip back a little each day," Monks said. "After a very promising first week after the surgery, he just could not maintain and the spine just did not heal as we had hoped." Monks said he wanted to thank the community for their emotional and financial support of Eros. More donations were received than needed and the remainder will be put into a fund set aside for the care of future police dogs. Monks said he also wanted to thank his fellow officers, local business and the school district for support.
 submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA