In Loving Memory of
K9 ARGO
(Last week of Dec. 2013)
Handler: Sgt. Mike McDermott
Des Moines Police Department
25 East 1st Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
WEBSITE - http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/Police/Pages/default.aspx
Des Moines police say goodbye to canine colleague
Des Moines police said goodbye to a furry, four-legged colleague in December. Argo, a retired canine for the
Des Moines Police Department, died from old age in the last week of December, authorities said.
He was 14 1/2 years old. Argo served from 2000 to 2005 and was a member of the
National Championship Team in 2005. He is the last of the original canines purchased by the police
department in 2000, officials said. Des Moines Police Department thanked Argo for his
dedicated service. “He was a great pup and will be missed,” his handle, retired Sgt. Mike McDermott said.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ANA
December 19, 2013
Handler: Patrolman Ken Blankenship
Wauseon Police Department
230 Clinton St
Wauseon, OH
‘She loved to work’ First WPD canine cop dies following illness
Over her nearly 10-year career, the Wauseon Police Department’s first canine officer had a special knack for sniffing out both criminals and caches of illegal drugs. It was a talent she was often called on to share with other government and law enforcement agencies, right up to her retirement at age nine. “She could tell when I put on my uniform it was time to go to work,” said Patrolman Ken Blankenship, her longtime K-9 Unit partner. “She knew that day was going to be a fun day.” Ana was euthanized Dec. 19 at age 12 following a sudden, debilitating stroke. As Ana’s handler for almost a decade, her death has hit
Blankenship hard.
“People don’t understand that she was not just a dog,” he said. “She’s your partner, just like if you have a human partner. They always want to please you, 24/7. I was with her more than I was with my family, more than my kids, more than my wife. So when a handler loses a partner it’s devastating. She was my family. She was my child.” The purebred German Shepard was purchased at age one by the police department in 2002. She was trained by Blankenship after he received instruction from Roger Bice, owner of Shawnee Run Kennels in Lima, Ohio. Ana learned techniques in tracking criminal suspects, and in narcotics and article searches.
To prevent her from being confused by other people, she was trained to obey only Blankenship, who issued all commands and directions in German. “She picked up on things right away. She was probably one of the best tracking dogs to come through the kennel in a long time,” Bice said. “As soon as (Blankenship) hit the street with her they were doing pretty good.” Their tracking abilities proved successful, especially during their first year as partners, Blankenship said. As a team they pursued criminal suspects and juvenile runaways through snow, over open fields, and across ditches, on one occasion as far as five miles.
In an incident about 10 years ago, he and Ana tracked a man who broke into a Metamora home and tied up the occupants in the basement. Ana lost his scent about a quarter-mile away, where he apparently drove off in a car. On another occasion, the canine cop followed the scent of a juvenile who broke into a house during the winter. “We tracked him through woods, through town, and right up to the window he crawled back into” at his home, Blankenship said. During the search Ana fell into a koi pond on that property, and had to be warmed up in the patrol car.
One of Ana’s more dangerous assignments was tracking the person or persons who broke into a former Wauseon gun store over a Fourth of July weekend and made off with numerous weapons. While investigating a burglary, Blankenship opened his police vehicle for Ana to exit. She didn’t wait for an invitation to search. She took off, following a hot trail, and in the process pulled the lead she was attached to through Blankenship’s hands, burning them. “Three doors down we beat on the door, and we had our bad guy,” he recalled. “I ended up going to the hospital. The dogs always know what they’re doing. They know way more than we do.”
Ana’s sharp nose also got her and Blankenship work in cases for the FBI, DEA, IRS, and the U.S. Coast Guard. For three years the latter used them and other available K-9 teams to sniff out illegal contraband on ocean liners docking at the Toledo port. At Toledo Express Airport, they were assigned by the Bax Global hub formerly located there to check a plane that flew in weekly from Mexico. Other duties included searching schools spanning from Fort Wayne, Ind., to Sandusky, Ohio. They also performed hundreds of school “demos,” educational programs for the students.
As a WPD officer, Ana was issued a badge, which she wore on special occasions or when she needed to be identified as a police dog. And she was the first area police dog to be certified to fly on LifeFlight. She and Blankenship were successful in about half of their
assignments, an admirable record given that many people they tracked ended the hunt by fleeing in vehicles waiting a short distance away. “She was exceptional,” said Blankenship, with whom Ana lived. “When she was at work, she was a work dog, and when she was off duty she was a play dog. She was like a light switch - turn her on and off. She loved to work, and loved to please (me).”
Bice said a lot of dogs he trained for police work had trouble tracking people, but not Ana. “A lot of if was (Blankenship’s) dedication. He was very consistent about working her. He proved that by how she did on the street,” he said. Ana was retired from the WPD on Dec. 9, 2011. She was awarded a retirement badge, and Blankenship, who also left the K-9 unit, received a plaque commemorating their partnership. He remains a state evaluator for K-9 teams. “She was getting old, and I didn’t want her to retire and die. I wanted her to have a little life after retirement,” Blankenship said. They were replaced by Patrolman Dawn Belford and the city’s second canine officer, Pharaoh.
Blankenship, his wife, and his sons received Ana’s unexpected death with a heavy heart. The German Shepard would have turned 13 in February. She is missed as well by the family’s other two German Shepards, Riko and Ziva, who were brought in to keep Ana company. “Ana was like their mama. So they’ve been missing their mother this week,” Blankenship said. Her remains have been cremated, and will be placed in a doghouse-shaped urn that will feature her photograph, collar, and possibly her police badge.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 AXLE
December 23, 2013
Handler: Officer Patrick Westfall
Spencer Police Department
405 1st Ave West
Spencer, IA 51301
Spencer police dog passes
The Spencer Police Department announced the passing of the department's K-9, Dino/Axle. He passed away at
3 p.m. Dec. 23 with his handler, Patrick Westfall by his side. Axle-Dino and Westfall have been partners
in the Spencer Police Department for the last four years. Friday afternoon, the department celebrated
the retirement of Dino, who is suffering from cancer of the blood vessels.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ARCO (MWD)
October 28, 2013
Handler: Staff Sgt. Brian Turney
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE
South Dakota
A memorial service was conducted to honor a 28th Security Forces Squadron military working dog named Arco
in the Freedom Chapel at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Nov. 12, 2013. Arco served in the Air Force for
more than three years as a narcotics and patrol K-9.
The day after people around the area and across the nation honored our nation's veterans, Airmen and family
members gathered to pay their respects to a fallen comrade - Arco, a 28th Security Forces Squadron military
working dog, during a memorial service in the Freedom Chapel, Nov. 12. After succumbing to kidney failure
on Oct. 28, Arco's remains were cremated and given to Staff Sgt. Brian Turney, 28th SFS MWD handler.
During his three-year career, Arco trained and served as both a narcotics detection and patrol dog at
Ellsworth and deployed with his handler to Bagram, Afghanistan in 2012.
Capt. Karlton Edison, 28th Bomb Wing chaplain, initiated the ceremony with an opening invocation, during which
he spoke about the bond people share with their canine companions. "When we have relationships with each
other, we sometimes put up protective defenses and barriers," Edison said. "On the other hand, with the
canines we love, we have no need to be defensive." After the invocation, Staff Sgt. Brian Turney and Tech.
Sgt. Mark Sidle, 28th SFS MWD handlers, were invited on to the stage to share the fondest memories of Arco.
Turney talked about his experiences working alongside Arco, emphasizing that it was both rewarding and
challenging. "He trusted me as much as I trusted him," Turney said. "It was not a smooth beginning when
we first began training. We had our hands full. He taught me a lot about patience and hard work and
while Arco was stubborn at times, his personality made up for any shortcomings." Turney said that he will
miss deeply miss his partner, adding that he is honored to have had the opportunity to work with
such an amazing partner.
Sidle explained that in his short time with Arco, he learned to be a better handler and gave credit to
Arco for making his job easier. "The things I will miss most are his wide smiles and the sheer excitement
he showed," Sidle said. "He was very obedient and performed his duties excellently. I will forever be
grateful for every moment I had by his side."
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ATHOS
November 8, 2013
Handler: Sergeant Mike Plunkard
Johnstown Police Department
401 Main Street
Johnstown, PA 15901
Johnstown K-9 Dies
The Johnstown Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its four legged officers, Sargeant Mike Plunkard
stated that his partner, Athos, passed away last night after a short battle with cancer. Athos was eight and a half
years old, which is close to retirement for Police K9's. Sgt. Plankard says he had a lot of energy up until his final
days. Athos was known to the community for his skill of dropping the puck at the Tomahawks games.
With Athos' passing, the department is down to one Police K9. The City Manager, Kristin Denne, stated that the
city plans of purchasing another K9 soon. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ARGOS
MARCH 2013
Handler: Sgt. Christopher Blackburn
Bridgeton Police Department
330 Fayette St
Bridgeton, NJ
(need info on K9 ...)
In Loving Memory of
K9 AXE
October 2, 2013
Handlers:
Officer Curtis Dinger,& Officer Shawn Johnson
& Captain Jeff Bragg
Bullard Police Department
114 S Phillips St
Bullard,TX 75757
Former police dog Axe dies of heart attack
Longtime BPD secretary Mary Dautreiul took ownership of Axe after he retired from duty. Mary and Axe moved
to Colorado with her family, where he spent his final days playing in the mountains.
Bullard Police Department’s first full-time K-9 officer, Axe, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 2, after a life dedicated to serving others. Axe started with BPD in August of 2004 when former officer Curtis Dinger picked him up from
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He retired from the force on Nov. 5, 2011 after spending several years
as an integral part of the department. Dinger served as Axe’s first handler, followed by Shawn Johnson and finally,
Captain Jeff Bragg, still with BPD. “There are not that many large individual cases, but over that long period of time,
Axe was helpful in so many cases,” said Bragg. “There were so many times we used him to assist us, giving us
probably cause to search cars, buildings or homes. Toward the end, he helped us with tracking and things like that.
He even helped us with presentations we’d give to students and things like that.” Axe meant a great deal to Bullard,
as evident of the large turnout by residents at his retirement party two years ago. After his retirement,
longtime BPD Secretary Mary Dautreiul took ownership of Axe. Shortly after, Mary and Axe moved to Colorado
with her family, where he spent his final days playing in the mountains. “We couldn’t ask for a better
person to take him for his retirement,” Bragg said. “Mary was so good for him in that time.
He was definitely well taken care of.” Preliminary reports from the veterinarian point to a heart attack
as the cause of death. Bullard police hung a plaque in the department’s hallways in Axe’s honor for his
service after his retirement. Bragg said the department will let the public know if a memorial is planned.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ARI
Sept. ... 2013
 
Handler: Sgt. Robert Heverly
Prince George County Police
6600 Laurel Spring Rd.
Prince George, VA
804-733-2773
In Loving Memory of
K9 APOLLO
August 24, 2013
Handler: Officer Kelly Greenwalt
Duluth Police Department
2030 N Arlington Ave
Duluth, MN 55811
Former Duluth police dog dies
Police dog Apollo is a contented canine as he is petted by Stowe Elementary students
and handler Kelly Greenwalt on a school visit in May 2004.
A German shepherd named Apollo came to Duluth from Poland nearly 10 years ago to join the Duluth Police Department as a police dog. But instead of becoming a decorated member of the force, Apollo found his true calling as an officer’s family pet. “He was good at finding the bad guy,” said Officer Kelly Greenwalt, Apollo’s former police handler. “But the problem was that he thought it more fun to play with the bad guys than to catch them.” The dog served just over three years on the force as Greenwalt’s partner. But his tendency to be a little too playful led to an early retirement. Needing a new home, fellow officer Chris Verhel and his family took in the German shepherd.
Apollo died unexpectedly Aug. 24, about two months shy of turning 11, Verhel said. He had lived with the family for nearly seven years. “He was a good boy,” Verhel said. “It’s a big loss for our family.” Like many police dogs, Apollo was recruited from overseas as a puppy to be trained in law enforcement. He was paired with Greenwalt, a trained canine handler, and became his constant companion. Apollo did some good work during his time with the police, Greenwalt said. Among his highlights, he located a small rock of cocaine in the slushy snow on First Street, located two burglary suspects in Forest Hill Cemetery and cleared a hostile crowd after a fight broke out at a nightclub, Greenwalt said.
“He had some nice finds,” he said. “He was always a great companion.” But Apollo’s playful tendency led to an early dismissal from the force. And with Greenwalt getting a new canine partner, Apollo needed to find a new home. “One thing about Apollo is that he was an alpha dog,” Greenwalt said. “He acted the part around other dogs. So I couldn’t have two male dogs.” Verhel, who was new to the force at the time, said he was interested in having a dog for his family, which included his wife, Jodi, and two young children, Easton and Aveya. After a series of tests, Apollo got approval to move in with the Verhels.
“First it was a couple hours, then day stays and a night stay, then a week stay,” Chris Verhel said. “Then Kelly approved him to move in with us. There were a lot of trials before we got him.” Greenwalt said he was happy to give Apollo to the Vehrels because of Chris’ law enforcement experience. “It was good, because I knew Chris would understand that he was trained in apprehension work,” Greenwalt said. “He knew there’d be different rules than you’d have with a different family pet.” Verhel described Apollo as a “big teddy bear.” He was playful and gentle with the kids, and loved to push a ball around in the yard, like a polar bear, Verhel said.
Apollo was very loyal to the family, he said, and even went on road trips with them. But the dog had started to slow down in recent months and didn’t have his normal level of energy. After a few weeks, Apollo seemed to be getting better, but died suddenly, Verhel said. “It really came as a surprise to us,” he said. Jodi Verhel said Apollo’s loss has been tough on the children, who are now 13 and 8. “He’s been with them pretty much full time since they were really young,” she said. “I think the loss is harder than losing a distant family member. It’s crazy how big a loss it can be. He wasn’t any ordinary pet.”
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
10 Dogs Die During Transport to Fort Bliss
8/24/13
Texas
In what is being called a "tragic accident," 10 German Shepherds who were being transported from Denver, Indiana to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas were found dead on arrival on Monday this week. According to the El Paso Times, the deaths were due to being transported in a vehicle that allegedly experienced mechanical failure relating to the air conditioning. Out of 17 German Shepherds, two were seen to by veterinarians for dehydration and heat exhaustion, while five others were deemed healthy. Fort Bliss houses a canine training center that pairs dogs with customs officers. The Army does not run the training center, nor is it responsible for transporting the dogs. The animals were owned and transported by Vohne Liche Kennels which operates out of Denver, Indiana. Ken Licklider, the owner of Vohne Liche Kennels, said,
"We take dogs to California and all over the world. We are very experienced in transporting dogs. This was simply a tragic accident." Fort Bliss spokeswoman Maj. Joe Buccino said, "This is pretty horrifying. I think everyone that heard this story is pretty upset by it. Those dogs were essentially in an oven. You don't have to be an animal lover to be sick about this." According to the Vohne Liche Kennel website, the company owns a 350-acre facility and maintains between 120 and 160 dogs at any given time. They have worked with organizations in over 30 states, as well as members of federal organizations such as the Secret Service, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy. "We are heartsick over this," said Licklider. "These are our dogs. We'll do everything we can to ensure this doesn't happen again. We're going to look at all our systems. Accidents are accidents and this just sounds like a tragic accident." The seven surviving dogs have been sent back to Indiana. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ALLEY
August 20, 2013
  
 
Handler: Lt. Scott Elliott
1227 Leone Lane
Dunbar, WV 25064
Dunbar Police Department mourns the loss of K9
The Dunbar Police Department has lost one of its officers. The department announced on Tuesday that one of its K9 officers, Alley, has died. Alley served alongside Lt. Scott Elliott in Dunbar for more than a decade. "She will always be remembered as a K9 that was gentle and loved children, but knew when to go into 'work mode' and take action." The Dunbar Police Department is asking that people keep Lt. Elliott and his family in their thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. An announcement about arrangements will be made once they're finalized.
MORE:
Under a bright sun and cloudless sky, Dunbar police and K-9 units from neighboring police departments gathered with citizens to honor and say goodbye to one of their own. Lt. Alley died Aug. 19 while on duty with her partner, Lt. Scott Elliott. Upon her death, Alley, a Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix, had served with the Dunbar Police Department for 10 years. Elliott and Alley had a routine when he would stop to refuel his cruiser, Dunbar Chief Earl Whittington said. He would get out and open her door so that she could get out and play while he pumped gas. When he finished, he would call for her, and she would return to the vehicle.
On Aug. 19, Elliott opened the door without looking and went about his routine. When he went to call her, he noticed he didn't see her anywhere, the chief said. When he looked inside, he saw she had never gotten out. Alley had died on duty. Whittington spoke fondly of the canine Wednesday at the city's police and fire memorial at City Hall. Her career as a police dog started off with a bang. On her first day on the job back in 2003, she found a small bag of heroin in a vehicle search. In her biggest bust, she sniffed out 90 pounds of marijuana while searching a truck, something the city's police officers were proud of because it meant the drugs never made it onto the street.
She was called on in many occasions to search for drugs and people, but she also went to the city's schools - sometimes to search lockers for drugs and other times just to visit the students. Whittington said he had a little bit of concern sending dogs to the schools, fearing a student would get bitten, but Alley put his mind at ease, immediately switching into "play mode" with the students. "You could walk up to Alley and as long as you weren't a threat, she didn't take you as a threat," Whittington said. "She knew when there was a threat, and she knew when not to act on a threat."
He said she would come out of the car and be swarmed by small children. In that setting, she would lie down, lick everyone within reach and enjoy the attention. But when the radio sounded and she was given the command, she went into "work mode," the chief said. She was playful and enjoyed working, Whittington said of the dog. The chief said he and Elliott had talked about retiring the animal. He left it up to Elliott, her handler, partner and "parent," to make the decision. Police dogs typically live with their handlers and become part of their families. Elliott told the chief that as long as his partner was playful, able and wanted to work, he would keep her at his side.
"She was just as frisky on her last day as she was on her first day," Whittington said. "I think that shows a lot strength in the dog itself and the dedication she had to work." The chief said he has encountered many police canines, but not many were as dedicated as Alley. She was trained in drug location and officer protection. She also was called upon to track missing people or suspects. "She would pursue you until she caught you and then she would make sure you were escorted back to the police department to get full credit for what you'd done," Whittington said of Alley, earning a hearty bark from Kratos, Dunbar Sgt. Mike Lester's canine partner. "Absolutely, that's exactly what I think."
Whittington said he believed it was destiny for Alley to be Elliott's partner and that the bond grew between them. Elliott stood stock still in full uniform, a black band over his badge, while the chief spoke. He grew emotional behind his reflective sunglasses at one point during the ceremony and gave a slow salute when the other officers saluted the wooden carving of his partner and best friend. About a dozen K-9 officers and their handlers came from around the area to show support for Elliott and to remember Alley. More than two-dozen citizens came to the memorial as well. More than a few of them were left teary-eyed by the memorial. Alley was cremated. A line of police cars wound through the city after the service as a show of respect. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In
Loving
Memory
of
K9 ARGO
August
8, 2013
Handler:
Sgt.
Eric
Zawacki
Peabody
Police
Department
6
Allen's
Lane
Peabody,
MA 01960
Peabody
officers
mourn death
of beloved
police dog
Peabody
police Sgt.
Eric Zawacki
with Sgt.
Argo at the
police
station in
2010, after
Argo helped
apprehend a
car thief.
Sgt. Argo,
with handler
Peabody
police Sgt.
Eric
Zawacki,
gets a scent
of a suspect
during an
incident on
Keys Drive
in 2004.
He was in
many ways
the perfect
police
officer.
“He’s the
only cop I
ever met in
30 years on
the job,”
said Peabody
Deputy Chief
Marty Cohan,
“who always
came to
work, did
what he was
told and
didn’t ever
whine about
it.” He was
certainly
the best
Peabody
officer on
four legs.
Sgt. Argo,
who served
10 years as
the
department’s
police dog,
died on
Thursday of
a spinal
nerve
condition at
age 13. The
station flag
was lowered
to half
staff in his
honor. The
sable German
shepherd had
been retired
the last few
years and
lived with
his handler
Sgt. Eric
Zawacki and
his wife
Detective
Stephanie
Lane. “It’s
been a tough
couple of
days,” said
Zawacki.
“I lost
my best
friend
yesterday. I
lost my
partner, the
best partner
I ever had.
... He was a
fantastic
dog. We were
lucky to
have him.”
Argo joined
the force in
2001, having
been trained
as a police
dog in the
Czech
Republic.
That created
a situation
that was
both a
benefit and
a problem.
Argo
responded to
commands in
the Czech
language.
“If the
commands are
in English,”
explained
Cohan,
“anybody can
control the
dog. If the
commands are
in a
language
people don’t
know then
they can’t
do that."
But if
potential
bad guys
don’t speak
Czech,
neither did
any Peabody
officers.
Fortunately,
at the time,
the city’s
Community
Development
Department
included
planner Vera
Kolias, a
Czech
speaker, who
offered
assistance.
Thereafter,
Argo
adjusted
quickly to
the job. “He
was a
tracker. And
a sniffer,”
said Cohan.
In other
words, he
could follow
the trail of
a missing
person —
like a
patient who
wandered
away from
the nursing
home — or
track down a
car theft
suspect
through
Peabody
backyards,
as he did in
May 2010.
Argo could
also seek
out drugs.
“He was all
nose,” Cohan
noted.
Additionally,
he could
take care of
himself. “He
had a
powerful
presence
about him,”
said
Zawacki. “He
loved
working more
than
anything
else. ... He
had no fear.
He was here
to keep us
safe. He was
an
incredible
asset to the
department
and the City
of Peabody.”
“A couple of
people
challenged
him over the
years,” said
Cohan. “They
lost.” Argo
was
extremely
strong as
Cohan
learned
through his
habit of
bringing him
regular
treats. An
overly
anxious
Argo,
seeking his
treat, once
knocked the
deputy flat.
In addition,
Argo was a
kind of
goodwill
ambassador
for the
police.
Police
officers and
most of the
public have
in common,
said Cohan,
an affection
for dogs.
Argo went to
DARE camp
and won over
the kids.
“He was as
near to
perfect as
you could
want,” some
said. “He
was a pet. A
pal. And
partner,”
said Cohan.
He also
accomplished
something
that humans
often have
difficulty
with —
putting the
stress of
the job
behind him
at the end
of the day.
“At home he
was a normal
dog.” Argo
adjusted
easily to
two other
Zawacki
dogs, a
Labrador
retriever
and a
terrier. The
biggest
problem was
adjusting to
retirement.
In latter
years, when
Zawacki put
on his
uniform to
leave for
work each
day he left
behind a
crestfallen
Argo clearly
wondering
why he
couldn’t go
anymore.
“For 10
years he had
gone with
me. ... They
live for
work.”
Zawacki
recalled
that he
wanted the
department
to have a
dog from the
moment he
got on the
force.
Eventually
came the
opportunity
to bring
Argo aboard.
And
Peabody’s
success with
its dog, he
believes,
inspired
others,
including
Salem and
Danvers, to
do the same.
“I did a
whole lot of
mutual aid
with
surrounding
communities,”
Zawacki
explains.
“They got to
see a great
dog
working.”
Now, the
department
is without a
police dog
and he’s
hoping at
some point
to find a
successor
for Sgt.
Argo. Given
the impact
this officer
had on his
colleagues
it won’t be
easy to
replace him.
(
spinal nerve
condition )
submitted by
Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving
Memory of
K9 ALDO
August 3, 2013
Handler: Officer Javier Garguillo
Marlboro
Police Department
1979 Township
Drive
Marlboro, NJ 07746
Retired
Marlboro K-9 police
dog passes away
A
former K-9 police dog
with the department has
died following his
battle with degenerative
myelopathy. K9 Aldo, who
retired in February of
2013, passed away
Saturday. Degenerative
myelopathy is
progressive disease of
the canine spinal cord.
Aldo began his career in
2003 when he was
partnered up with his
handler Patrolman Javier
Garguillo, police said.
Aldo and his handler
graduated from the Union
County K9 Academy after
26 weeks of training in
2003. Aldo was trained
as a patrol dog, which
consisted of 16 weeks in
the academy. In 2004,
Garguillo and K9 Aldo
became members of the
Monmouth County Swat
Team.
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ARCHI
November 1, 2005 - February 9,
2013
(waiting for photo) & more
information........................
Handler: Ofc. Jeffrey Wagner
Newington Police Department
131 Cedar St.
Newington, CT 06111
Ofc. Jeffrey Wagner joined the
CPWDA on 3/13/06 until the year
2012.
In Loving Memory of
K9 ANUK
May 20, 2013
Handler: Deputy Wally Zuehlke
Wautoma Sheriff's Department
430 E Division St
Wautoma, Wisconsin 54982
Waushara
County police dog dies
The police dog for the Waushara
County sheriffs department died on
Monday of natural causes. Anuk was
10 years old, and had been working
with sheriffs deputies since 2006.A
memorial service is being planned
next Wednesday at the sheriffs
department in Wautoma at 11am,
followed by a private ceremony for
law enforcement only. It's not clear
when the sheriffs department will
get a new police dog. The animals
cost between $10,000 and $15,000
including training. Many departments
raise some or all of the money
through fundraisers and private
donations.
submitted by Jim Cortina,
Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
K9 ANURADHA
Delhi Police Dog Squad
India
Doberman,
death came faster than her retirement
Anuradha Doberman was
looking forward to a peaceful retired life after
years of putting her nose to the grindstone,
literally. That was not to be. Her retirement
papers, caught up in bureaucratic delays, were
awaiting the signature of the senior officers of
the Crime Branch when she breathed her last on
April 7. A decorated female dog of the Delhi
Police Dog Squad, Anuradha died of old age, 15
days before she was to be sent to an animal
house after her retirement from the force. In
the first week of March, a doctor from the Tiz
Hazari Veterinary Hospital had deemed her "unfit
and weak due to old age to perform her daily
duties".
The dog squad
officers requested that she be "respectfully
retired from Delhi Police Dog Squad". The Delhi
Police was processing her papers to formally
retire her and send her to Friendicoes-Seca in
Jangpura. But on April 7, her handler opened the
kennel to find that she had died peacefully in
her sleep. Anuradha, a Doberman, lovingly
referred to as Anu,had been attached to the
Crime Branch since 2002. She was known to be one
of the best tracking dogs in the unit till old
age caught up with her. Anuradha, who turned 11
this year, had lost much of her tracking skills
and often slept throughout the day, prompting
the veterinarian to advise that she be retired.
According to the
rules, any dog attached with the Delhi Police
can be formally retired only with the consent of
senior officers. Following the veterinary
evaluation, police began coordinating with the
animal house in Jangpura to finalise her
post-retirement stay. On March 28, they received
a letter from the animal house saying it was
willing to take in Anuradha. On April 22, her
papers reached the office of a senior police
officer for his "final approval" and to strike
off her name from the squad. But it was two
weeks too late for Anuradha. Anuradha, during
her ten-year service, earned many laurels for
the Delhi Police.
She was trained by
the BSF at the National Training Centre for dogs
in Gwalior. Known to be a swift tracker, she had
assisted the police in several murder cases.
Although police do not keep any records of the
cases detected by dogs, a double murder in Dabri
in 2003 was one of many for which the police
force would be indebted to her. Officers recall
how it took Anuradha just a few minutes to track
the scent of the murderers. The officers were
surprised when she guided them straight to the
house of a blacksmith, who was later booked for
the murders. In 2011, Anuradha was ranked third
among the best dogs from all state forces in
India, including the paramilitary ones.
In 2008, in a
competition held by the Haryana Police, she was
judged the second most talented dog in the
country. She now rests in peace in a secluded
field behind the Dog Squad office in Model Town.
The Delhi Police has a total of 60 dogs, some of
which have been given to other units and
districts. Two dogs, Jenny and Rani, are of the
same age as Anuradha was when she died but
officers say their tracking skills are still
sharp. All dogs in the squad are specialized in
three areas — explosives, tracking and
narcotics.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
In Loving Memory of
FBI
K9 APE
November 17, 2010 - March 14, 2013
Special Agent Ann Todd
Quantico, VA
FBI K-9 dog Ape killed in line of duty in
Herkimer
A tactical K-9 dog named Ape, who started his
career with the FBI just a few weeks ago, was
killed in the line of duty during a standoff in
Herkimer
today. Ape was on duty accompanying FBI agents
who were attempting to arrest 64-year-old Kurt
R. Myers, of Mohawk, who had been holed up in an
abandoned building on North Main Street in
Herkimer after a rampage that left four dead and
two injured. Special Agent Ann Todd, with the
FBI Office of Public Affairs, says Ape will be
returned home to Quantico, Virginia. Ape was a
2-year-old Czech German Shepherd. He was born on
November 17, 2010. Ape had just started working
with the FBI on February 25 after completing
training in October.
A memorial will be held for Ape at Quantico,
says Todd, and his name will be added to a
memorial wall. “Ape was doing what he was
trained to do and made the ultimate sacrifice
for his team. His actions were heroic and
prevented his teammates from being seriously
wounded or killed,” says Todd. Officials
speaking at a news conference on Thursday say
police entered the building around 8:00 a.m.
They say Myers immediately opened fire on the
officers from the doorway of a small room,
killing an FBI K-9 search dog. Police returned
fire, fatally shooting Myers. State Police
Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said during a
press conference on Thursday morning that K-9s
are "much more acute than people in locating
suspects, especially in certain types of
premises. I think that's what happened here, and
as unfortunate as it is that the K-9 lost his
life, it could have easily been an officer."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
State police provided this
memorial photo of Ape, the Czech
German Shepherd killed
by the man sought in the Herkimer
shootings last week.
Memorial service
held for fallen K9 officer
killed in Herkimer shootout
3/18/13
A memorial service was
held on Monday for Ape, the
FBI dog that was killed in
the shootout with Kurt Myers
in the Village of Herkimer
on Thursday. Authorities say
that Ape, a Czech German
Shepherd, protected his
human handler when
authorities entered the
former Glory Days bar on
North Main Street in
Herkimer Thursday following
a roughly 20 hour standoff
with Myers. Police say Myers
was holed up in the
abandoned bar after setting
fire to his apartment in
Mohawk, then shooting four
people in John's Barbershop
in the Village of Mohawk,
killing tow, and shooting
and killing two people at
Gaffey's car care in the
Village of Herkimer.
When law enforcement entered
the building on North Main
Street Thursday morning,
State Police say Myers was
waiting for them and opened
fire, hitting and killing
Ape. That's when authorities
returned fire and killed
Myers. Ape was taken to
Quantico, Virginia to be
buried. Born on November 17,
2010, Ape began duty with
the FBI on February 25, 2013
after successfully
completing training last
October. The FBI states that
Ape will be greatly missed. submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA -
painting by Tracy ...gtklett@rtci.net
In Loving Memory of
K9 ARGUS
February 9, 2013
Handler: Deputy Craig Walker
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
951 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
Mendocino
police dog dies jumping off roof
A police dog with
the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office died Saturday
after jumping off a roof, authorities said. The dog,
Argus, escaped from an enclosed backyard and somehow
climbed up onto a nearby structure, Sheriff’s Lt.
Shannon Barney said. The dog apparently leaped off the
building after its handler, Deputy Craig Walker, called
out to him at about 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Barney said.
“It appeared Argus responded immediately to his
handler’s call and was not aware of the height of the
structure he was on,” Barney said in a statement. The
dog fell about 30 feet and died on impact, Barney said.
The 2-year-old German shepherd, originally from
Slovakia, had worked with Walker, who patrols Anderson
Valley, for about six months. Barney said the Sheriff’s
Office intends to replace the dog.
MORE::::::::::::::::::
MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – A Mendocino County Sheriff's
K9 died last week after being injured in a fall.
“Argus,” a 2-year-old German
Shepherd,
died on the morning of Friday, Feb. 8, as a result of
injuries sustained in a fall from a height of
approximately 30 feet, according to Liz Evangelatos of
the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Argus was off duty with his handler, Deputy Craig
Walker, when he got out of an enclosed back yard,
Evangelatos said. She said Argus had wandered up
onto a nearby building. Deputy Walker called Argus, who
responded immediately to his handler's call, leaping off
the building. The dog did not appear to be aware of the
height of the structure he was on. Evangelatos said
Argus’ injuries were immediately fatal. Argus had
been brought to the United States from Slovakia and was
assigned to Deputy Walker for approximately six months
prior to his death, Evangelatos said. Prior to his death
Argus assisted Deputy Walker on his patrol duties in the
Anderson Valley Resident Post, providing handler
protection duties, fugitive apprehension, drug detection
and regularly attended to the needs of the citizens they
served, according to Evangelatos. She said Argus made a
recent visit to the Anderson Valley School District,
where the students met him and learned about the K9
duties
related to law enforcement. Argus was a big hit with the school children
and all who met him. Evangelatos said Argus will be
missed
not only by his handler and immediate family, but by everyone in the
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. Argus will be
remembered
as devoted, courageous, and loyal. The Sheriff’s Office
will be seeking to obtain another K9 to partner with
Deputy Walker to
meet the law enforcement needs of the citizens in Anderson Valley and
surrounding areas, Evangelatos said. This is the
second
tragedy for the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office's K9
program in the last year.
Last August, the agency's K9
“Morgan,”
a 15-month-old German Shepherd, died from accidentally ingesting
methamphetamine during narcotics detection training,
as Lake County News has reported.
submitted by Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
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Memorials
to Fallen K-9s
