Memorials to Fallen K-9s
2002 page 19 The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of 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
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K-9 REMO July 19, 2002 
Partner: Officer Johnny Edwards Longview Police Department TX
P.O. Box 1952 - 302 W. Cotton St. Longview, Texas 75606-1952 Phone: (903) 237-1199 - FAX: (903) 237-1142
Police dog Remo, 14, was euthanized Friday after succumbing to old age. Officer Johnny Edwards was Remo's partner for 8 years and caretaker for 12
Just a few of the awards given to REMO 
photo by K. Green News-Journal |
By JOHN LYNCH 237-7733 www.news-journal.com Longview police are mourning the death of Remo, a retired police dog whose career captured the heart of the city and inspired a foundation established in his name. The 14-year-old had to be euthanized Friday after succumbing to the rigors of old age, said Officer Johnny Edwards, Remo's partner for eight years and caretaker for 12. Remo joined the Edwards household in 1990 when the canine joined the department. Edwards said he feels fortunate to have worked with Remo. "Remo never belonged to me. He belonged to the citizens of Longview," Edwards said. "I was just lucky enough to take care of him." A trooper throughout his career, which lasted much longer than most police dogs, Remo in retirement still looked forward to regular rides in Edwards' patrol car for old times' sake. "He never quit wanting to work," Edwards said. A blue and yellow floral memorial bouquet in the police department lobby marks the German shepherd's passing, while Edwards has put together a more private collection of Remo's awards, honors and citations in another office. Among those honors is the Purple Heart, which Remo earned for being stabbed while protecting Edwards — it took him a month to recover from the wound. Edwards' four legged partner once faced down six men armed with sticks and bats while Edwards was busy subduing a seventh man. On another occasion, the dog knocked a pistol out of a suspect's hands and pulled the man to the ground and away from the weapon. Edwards said Remo saved his life more than once and just having the dog with him was often enough to make his job easier. "I didn't have to use him aggressively," Edwards said. "His presence alone would do it." During his eight years as a law dog, Remo primarily specialized in tracking, whether it was hunting down suspects or searching for lost children, Edwards said. But Remo also had talents that few dogs possess. "He could open a car door ... with his nose," he said. His off-duty hours were spent at the Edwards home, where he ruled the family yard, keeping a watchful eye over the neighborhood children — an effort he continued into retirement. He'd turn into a regular dog off duty," Edwards said. Remo displayed a remarkable temperament, playing with children as easily as he collared a suspect, Edwards said. "I could put a child on his back or he could go after the most dangerous criminals," he said. Remo inspired the creation of the Remo Foundation, which M6 established to funds new police dogs for the city, by a group of local business owners. The group paid for half the cost of Ozzo, Remo's successor, who works with Officer Larry Webb. His canine partner also inspired Edwards to continue working with dogs, motivating him to set up a nonprofit tracking service for law officers, the North East Texas Tracking Dogs, using his own bloodhound.
cards mailed 7/25/02 arrived?
7/27/02 Recd. copy of news article with photos from Officer Ralph G. Everett, Longview Police Dept. Thanks so much Remo was truly special! |
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K-9 ZEUS July 23, 2002 
Partner: Officer Robert Schnelle New York Police Dept. NY NYPD K-9 UNIT 140 58TH STREET - P.O. BOX 35 BROOKLYN NY 11220 phone 718-492-8300 k901nyc@yahoo.com
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 ...
for working on WTC, 1993
N.Y.'S FURRIEST DIES AT 10 By PHILIP MESSING 2129645039 NY Post 7/25/02 TOP DOG: Zeus with Officer Robert Schnelle. - NYP: Bolivar Arellano Zeus, the most highly decorated police dog in NYPD history, has died, the department announced yesterday. The end came suddenly on Tuesday morning for the 10 year old German shepherd, who spent most of his life chasing down criminals, solving murders and recovering the remains of people buried under the rubble of terrorist bombs, unforgiving hurricanes or building collapses. He died at the North Bellmore, L.I., home of his former handler, Police Officer Robert Schnelle. Zeus had been a full-time family pet since his retirement from active duty two years ago. "He was a great dog, a happy dog, a sociable dog. He was one in a million," said a somber Schnelle. A cancerous tumor on his spleen suddenly ruptured Tuesday morning, causing internal bleeding that claimed his life, Schnelle said. Zeus was just 8 weeks old when he was teamed up with Schnelle. He was the first NYPD dog to search for victims when the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. In April 1995, he worked steady 12-hour shifts in the rubble of the Oklahoma City bombing. That August, Zeus helped solve an 8 year old murder by sniffing out a corpse buried four feet beneath earth and concrete in the back yard of a Queens home. In 1996, he was on duty in Atlanta, during the Olympic bombing. He also helped with hurricane duty in St. Thomas and Puerto Rico that year and in the Dominican Republic in 1998. News of Zeus' death was particularly sad for Schnelle's two sons, Joseph, 9, Nicholas, 7, who learned about it when they returned from camp, Schnelle said. Zeus had kept the boys company during the day while their dad patrolled the city with 2 1/2 year old Atlas, who succeeded Zeus and also lives at the Schnelle home, even Atlas feels the loss. "They were like father and son," he said of Zeus & Atlas. "He knows he's not around." |
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K-9 HARLEY January 23, 2002 
Partner: Officer Robert Skrutsky Stratford Police Department CT 900 Longbrook Avenue, Stratford, Connecticut 06615. Phone: 203-385-4100
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detection. But finding a replacement so universally loved may be hard. Every day about 4 PM Harley would come by Knapp's desk and scratch at the bottom drawer, looking for treats. "Because he was a Labrador and specifically trained for narcotics he didn't have the aggressive tendencies that dogs trained for patrol work had, " Knapp said. He was just a good dog. An excellent dog." Rodia said.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR K-9S GROLL & HARLEY Canine officers honored Chris Snyder, Staff Writer September 26, 2002 The Stratford Police unveiled a monument last Thursday to two of their fallen officers, police dogs Groll and Harley. An honor guard of K-9 units from around the state, and the Stratford Police Honor Guard, was present to show support and dedicate the memorial. "They are fearless, loyal and loving," said Chief Michael Imbro of police dogs. "Their passing impels us to recognize the short amount of time we have." Officer Celeste Robitalle, Groll's handler, said, "I'll never forget the day I met Groll for the first time. He was a skinny, hyper German shepherd who wouldn't listen to a word I said. I know Groll is in good company with K-9s Shadow, Max and Jack." Detective Jack Cratty read a poem, "Guardians of the Night," from the North American Police Working Dog Association website. The author is unknown. Groll was the department's patrol dog. Harley was a narcotics dog. The monument is made of black marble and bears the names of all Stratford's police dogs since the program's inception in 1985. "It is one of the most successful programs we have implemented over the years," Imbro said. "Just the presence of a trained K-9 and his handler makes a criminal think twice." The department plans to replace the two dogs it lost recently and add a second patrol dog. Each dog will cost $6,000. The department has received some outside help in raising funds for the new dogs. Erica Pazkowski, a Bunnell High School freshman, raised $5,024 toward the cost of a new narcotics dog. "[She started collections at] the end of January," said Vicki Spada, Erica's mother. Capt. Andrew Knapp said, "Vicki Spada and her daughter Erica Pazkowski went above and beyond the call of duty. Pazkowski collected money at Flood Middle School, Stop & Shop and other locations, and also received mail-in donations. "She really liked Harley," Spada said. "She always looked forward to seeing him. She's an animal lover. She says the K-9s are a very important part of the police department." Spada and Pazkowski have two dogs at home. ©Stratford Star 2002 Stratford Police Department
cards to be mailed 8/13/02 cards received 8/17/02 with great appreciation. Thanks for email, Mary |
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K-9 DUKE July 25, 2002 
Partner: Deputy Brian Thompson Genesee County Sheriff's Office NY Sheriff Gary T. Maha Genesee County Sheriff's Office 14 W. Main St. - Batavia, NY 14021-0151 (716) 345-3000, ext. 237 gmaha@co.genesee.ny.us visit us at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/
cards mailed 8/1/02 or approx. NO WORD |
table, during what was supposed to be routine dental surgery. “The surgery was winding down, after 2 1/2 hours,” said Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha of the events leading up to the death. “All of the sudden for some unknown reason the dog went into cardiac arrest.” Efforts to revive the dog proved futile. Maha says Duke's death was particularly tough for his handler, Deputy Brian Thompson, because of what happened to Yentil, the department's previous K-9. She was hit by a tractor-trailer and killed last November. The department is now searching for a new K-9.
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