memorial2001

Memorials to Fallen K-9s

2002 page 22
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

In Loving Memory of
K-9 PRESTON
August 7, 2002

Partner:
Officer Ginger Robertson
Springfield Police Dept.
321 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802-3899
PH 417.864.1810 xx
Missouri K-9 Association

Officers Heil & Yarnell carry the body of K-9 Unit Narcotics dog, Preston to burial site.

Member of Springfield Police Dept. for just three years was bred for the work. Hearken Preston came down the hill from Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, led by a police escort.
Preston service the Springfield Police Dept. for three years before he slipped three back discs and had to retire in 1994. But oh, did he ramble, when he rambled. Preston was the first police dog brought into service for the city force in twenty years when he was commissioned in 1991. As a police Vehicle bore his coffin to the Lakeland Pet Cemetery, about 35 people and dogs waited to honor the dog who had
service without hesitation. Before the tent where we gathered, a black granite monument with Preston's image etched into it introduced the six law enforcement dogs already buried there. "They faced danger at a single command, willing to give their lives for the officers they loved and trusted," the inscription read. "We thank them for their heroism and we honor their memory." Officer Val Hewett, who helped train Preston, gave a eulogy. At times, it was hard to hear her force, softened by emotion. "I was able to be there when the training process for Preston started," she said. "It was so awesome." Preston's partner, Ginger Robertson, explained later that she went to Darlene
Cavin's Hearken Kennels near Rogerville to train a black Labrador retriever to be her police dog, but the Lab just didn't take to the work. Preston, in his kennel, thought that was fine. "I kept going out there with my I kept going out there with my Lab, and this scrawny looking shepherd kept trying to get to me." Robertson said, "He was going
to be my dog, no matter what." In time, Robertson and Cavin agreed with Preston. "Magic" the Lab wasn't destine to be a police dog. Preston was. "His line had been bred for service for 30 years." Cavin said. Hewett has one of Preston's sisters and five more of his siblings went into law enforcement. Hewett eulogized Preston, a handsome dog reflected in photos at a table near the funeral tent. She remembered when she backed up Robertson on a call and found Preston sitting formerly alone in the front yard of a house. "I saw the devastation on Preston's face, it was like "What do I do ?" Robertson remembers the incident too. Preston always sat in place as commended. "I tackled the
guy and the guy ran. I was in the back yard fighting the guy, and Preston never moved." Hewett also remembered the time she was helping Robertson train Preston and wore the "bite suit: the padded suit used to help train the dog for the field. "I'd run into the yard," she said, and try to behave as a perpetrator. She recounted the time shed' thought she'd fool Preston by putting her arms over her chest, only to be bitten in the rear end. "That's when we changed to a full body bite suit." Then there was the time mad-cap Preston sat on the accelerator of a golf car, he and Robertson were riding at the Ozark Empire Fair. As they barreled toward a parked semi truck, Robertson managed to pry the 115 pound dog off the pedal just in time to avoid the sailing underneath. As Rivermonte personnel prepared to bury Preston after the service, Robertson gathered the cloth, and memorabilia from the table near the funeral tent. "He was a wonderful dog." she said and folded the cloth. "And he was my best friend."
contact New Leader columnist Sarah Overstreet at 417.836.1188.

thanks, Sherry Royal for you help. waiting for DOD
cards mailed 9/6/02 - hope they arrived? no reply

In Loving Memory of
K-9 HUNTER
July 15, 1999 - April 19, 2002

Partner:
Deputy Brian Biegel
Sarasota County Sheriff's Dept. FL
2071 Ringling Blvd.- Sarasota, Florida 34237- (941) 861-5800

I just wanted to say thank you for posting Hunter's Picture on your website. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him. He was my life, my partner, but most of all, he was my best friend. Hunter had a heart defect from birth called cardiomiopthy. His heart was enlarged and his aorta
was small. Hunter worked through a ten week training program plus four months on the road with just 1/3 of his heart functioning. Most people don't realize what these animals mean to us as K-9 handler. I felt like I lost a part of me when Hunter passed. It was a difficult time.

K-9 Hunter was born in Budapest Hungary. He was a sable German shepherd. In four months, Hunter had nine criminal
catches. He located over six pounds of marijuana, one hundred hits of XTC, thirty grams of cocaine and two handguns. He also was used in the seizure of a 1993
BMW 325i. Hunter was nationally certified in the detection of marijuana, heroin, cocaine. He also trained in the detection of meth amphetamine and XTC. He will be missed for his excellent work, but more so for his unconditional love and service. Hunter died of heart problems.

submitted by: 941.362.2900 - Joshua LaRose

cards sent 8/27/02 Thanks for your help Joshua,
and thanks Brian for sharing your feelings and Ozzie.

Meet Ozzi
NOW I'M HAPPY TO TELL YOU I HAVE A NEW PARTNER, K-9 OZZI, A 2 1/2 YEAR OLD BELGIAN MALINOIS. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF HIM ON THIS EMAIL. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR EACH AND
EVERY K-9 HANDLER.

In Loving Memory of
K-9 MAGNUM
August 31, 2002

Partner:
Deputy Michael Dolch
Wicomico County Sheriff's Dept.
401 Naylormill Rd. Salisbury, MD 21801
410-548-4801

left message with dept. 9/17/02
to return my call requesting photo of Magnum
try again Oct. 21

K-9 was hit and killed by car.
Yes I do know the handler and did know that K-9. They were in my K-9 beginner class with me. The K-9's name and Department he works for is correct, but the officer's name is wrong. His name is Deputy Michael Dolch.
Magnum was a hit and run drunk driver that hit his dog. Not LODD. Mike now has a lab (I believe) who is now the county's only bomb dog.

Jen

In Loving Memory of
K-9 BUBBA
August 30, 2002

Partner:
Cpl. Keith Baumann
Anne Arundel County PD MD
8495 Veterans Highway - Millersville, MD 21108
410-222.8525
Bubba was like my best friend.
We worked together every night
that I went to work for six years.
He is already missed very much.

K-9 Debilitated by cancer, police dog Bubba dies
Most of the $30,000 donated for care remains
by Gabriel Baird
Sun Staff The Baltimore Sun

Bubba, the Anne Arundel County police dog who assisted in more than 100 arrests during 11 years of service, died over the weekend after a long bout with cancer. The German shepherd made headlines for helping apprehend thieves and purse snatchers. But his friendly way with others made him so popular that hundreds of people chipped in to pay for his medical treatment. "It was his personality that made him," said Cpl. Keith Baumann, Bubba's handler. "He was so social and friendly with people."

Bubba managed to postpone retiring for two years after the life threatening disease was diagnosed in 1999. "He took his medicine and kept on going," Baumann said. One night after Bubba received chemotherapy, he and Baumann responded to a call that three men breaking into vehicles in Glen Burnie had run from police. Bubba chased them behind a department store, and Baumann made the arrest. Bubba was trained to use force if necessary. But off duty, he was a different dog, living with Baumann and his family. When police funds for treating Bubba ran out, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called for help and more than 650 people responded with donations totaling about $30,000 to help Bubba. "He was the epitome of German shepherds," said E. Joseph Lamp, a member of the society's board. "He was such a tough guy. He was tall and strong and had all of the Rin Tin Tin-type color in him, with the mixture of brown and black." The fund-raising drive got the attention of the U.S. Secret Service, which invited Lamp, the Baumann family and Bubba to the White House a few years ago. They toured the grounds, then Bubba waited in the car while Lamp and the Baumanns peeked inside the Oval Office and played with President Clinton's chocolate Labrador, Buddy. When cancer forced Bubba to retire, he would wag his tail as Baumann put on his uniform, then follow his former handler to the door. Baumann would pat the dog on the head, then go to work with another German shepherd. "It was kind of sad to leave my old partner there at the door," Baumann said. When Baumann returned from work, Bubba was waiting. As Bubba's health worsened, he tried to get around, but his spine was deteriorating and he often fell. Baumann had Bubba euthanized August 30. Baumann is adjusting to life without his former partner, and if his new partner or any of the other four legged members of the county's canine unit fall ill, nearly $20,000 remaining from Bubba's fund will be available to help pay for treatment.

cards mailed 9/23/02 -

In Loving Memory of
K-9 Chelsea
June 1997 - August 2002

Partner: Officer Bo Curry
Montgomery County Police Headquarters
2350 Research Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20850
240 773.5000

Chelsea was half Lab and half Chesapeake Bay Retriever. She loved the water, working and running. She would retrieve anything you could throw. She also had a really keen nose and was an explosive detection specialist. Chelsea
enjoyed swimming and playing after her job was done.
She joined the K-9 unit in 1999. Chelsea developed lymphoma in June of 2001. She continued treatment until complications set in August 2002.

Co ntinue to Page 23 of 2002 K-9 Memorials
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