memorial2001

Memorials to Fallen K-9s

2003 page 39
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 BRUNO
November 13, 2003

Partner: Officer Mark Reese
Mesa Police Department
130 North Robson, Mesa, AZ 85201
480- 644.2211

Police Service Dog, BRUNO, was obtained by the Mesa Arizona Police Department in August 1994. He had originally been imported to go to a south Florida Police Agencey, but he was a little "wild" for them. Bruno was three and a half years old and had more energy than most other mammals. After a couple of months of training Bruno hit the streets. He quickly earned the name of "psycho dog" from other Officers. Bruno ALWAYS gave 120% and was always in the mood to go to work. He motivated other Officers with his energy and willingness to catch the bad guy. After about five months, Bruno was to be cross trained to a narcotic dog. I never thought he could focus enough to be a reliable narc dog. Bruno proved me wrong. He became the best narcotic dog the City had and even at the time of his death still holds the largest narcotic find by a dog in the history of Mesa, Arizona. The find was two-thousand pounds of cocaine that was concealed in a semi-trailer. Bruno worked seven years for the department and was retired at
the age of ten years old. I decided to leave the K-9 unit with Bruno after I had served for ten years as a dog handler. I transferred to the
Aviation Unit and Bruno became a "pet". Bruno enjoyed retirement and was given as much attention as I could afford to. About two years and a half years after retirement Bruno became ill and was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor which invaded a major artery. Bruno passed away on 11-13-03. He was the ideal dog. He was an extension of me. He was my partner who was always there for me. I will always miss you , Bruno.

submitted by Greg Thomas and Donale Rudd

In Loving Memory of
K-9 SONJA
Oct. 26, 1990 - Sept. 8, 2003

Partner: Sgt. David L. Kirk
Piedmont Police Dept. AL
116 West Ladiga Street
Piedmont, AL
36272
(256) 447-9091

Sonja was born on October 26,1990,she started out with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office South in 1991. Sonja was donated by Sheriff Larry Amerson in 1995 after her handler left. She started with the Piedmont Police Department in 1995 until she was retired in 2001. Sonja did many drug searches at local and county schools during her tour of duty. On one trip to the local school,she made a find in the boy's restroom, a bag of marijuana in the celling. she started having trouble with her joints and was in very much pain, and she retired in October 2001. Sonja enjoyed working everyday, but when the time come to take it easy she still showed a lot of spunk and the will to still serve. It was so hard to leave her at home every night knowing that she wouldn't be by my side. On September 7, 2003, I came home from work and found that she had a stoke and was real weak and couldn't stand on her own. I knew I would have to say farwell to my long time friend and partner. The next day, September 8, 2003 I made that drive to the vet's office to say my last goodbye. I held her in my arms till the end. We both found peace that day, knowing that she wouldn't hurt anymore. I will miss my friend, but she won't beforgotten I LOVE YOU SONJA!!!!!

The department bought her a grave marker.

Update:
I gave up being a K-9 handler after 10 years. Max, GSD was my first dog and Sonja my second I am now Shift Supervisor. I'm thankfull for the work you do for the k9 units and keep up the good work .

In Loving Memory of
K-9 CAKO
June 9, 1999 - November 20, 2003

Partner: Officer Shane Newbourgh
Moberly Police Dept.

300 N. Clark Moberly MO 65270

660-263-0346

I hoped that I would never have to send you this email.
My partner, my friend, K-9 Cako passed away Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 1807 hours from sudden kidney failure. He had been hospitalized since Monday night. He put a hard fight. I told him if he was tired of fighting the pain it was ok. The decision was made to put him to sleep due to the irrepairable kidney damage. When the doctors unhooked him from the IVs, Cako passed away, he passed away on his terms. He passed away with his collar and badge on and me in full uniform, that is how he would have wanted it. I miss him, I am sad.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF K-9 CAKO
The Moberly Police Department regrets to announce the death of K-9 Cako, patrol partner of Corporal Shane Newbrough, on November 20^th ,2003. Cako passed away at 6:07 PM, Thursday evening from kidney failure. Cako was born on June 9^th , 1999 and purchased in October of 2001 by the Moberly Police Department through a Federal Grant. Cako began his service with the Moberly Police Department in December of 2001. During his tour of duty with the Police Department Cako was involved in many tracking and search operations not only for the Moberly Police Dept. but also for other law enforcement agencies around the Randolph County area. Cako has assisted in the successful prosecution of many drug cases. Cako & Shane visited area schools to give talks and demonstrations of the K-9 officers and handlers job and abilities. Cako was a true “officer”; while able to complete dangerous and sometimes demanding tasks he was gentle enough to bond with some of our youngest citizens allowing even 2 year olds to pet him. Private services for Cako will be on Tuesday, November 25, 2003. Cako will be sadly missed by Cpl. Newbrough and the officers and staff of the Moberly Police Dept. submitted by the Moberly Police Department 11/21/03

CAKO's proudest moments in a helicopter
"TO MY MASTER"
I know it seems so sad that I
was just so young.
But my time has come and my
call to duty done.
I gave ever faithful my
Eyes, Ears and Heart
Together a team formed
a Bond none can part.
At your side was my place
I served Loyal and True.
Ever so watchful for my
Master in Blue.
But I recieved a call that I
had to face alone,
The Mighty Lord himself
had summoned me Home.
I will live here on Earth through
your Memories & Love.
But Always Remember
SHANE...
I will be watching from above.
- In Loving Memory of Cako-
Love, Naomi and Zachary
******************
UPDATE: Meet K9 Shadow

On Friday, November 14, K-9 Cako ended his tour of duty at 2200 hours. On Saturday morning, I noticed Cako did not come out of his house to meet me when I went to feed him like he always did. It was obvious Cako wasnt feeling well.

On Sunday, Cako was getting a little worse and appeared to be in pain when ever he moved. Sunday night, I contacted our Vet who said he wanted to see him first thing Monday morning. Monday morning, the Vet took blood from Cako and sent it off for testing. The vet said he was concerned about Cako's abnormal water consumption. The vet sent Cako back home until the test results would be ready the next morning. Monday night, for the first time in his short career, I went to work without him. Monday night at 2200 hours, I checked on Cako and he appeared to be getting worse. I called the vet who told me to bring him in. It would be Cako's final trip down our driveway. Cako was put on IV fluids and sayed at the vet clinic over night. Tuesday morning, the vet advised me of his blood test results. The results were not good. The results indicated Cako's kidneys were not working. My wife fixed a bag of overnight cloths, and my wife and another K-9 handler from my department rushed Cako to the University of Missouri Animal Hospital. On Tuesday, at about 1300 hours, they conducted an ultrasound on Cako's kidneys. At about 1600 hours, the doctor advised Cako had two very abnormal looking kidneys. The doctor said Cako's kidneys still did not appear to be working. The doctor advised us we could either have a biopsy done to see if it was something we could treat or have him put to sleep. The doctor gave Cako a 50% chance of surviving the surgery, and a 20% chance of living with the kidneys. Of course, we choose to conduct the biopsy. I slept at the hospital. On Wednesday at 0900 hours, they brought Cako into a small room where I was able to spend about an hour with him before they started to prepare him for surgery.

In that hour, I told Cako proud we were of him. I told Cako that I would never leave him at the hospital alone. I also told Cako that if he was tired of fighting the pain, I understood, and it was ok for him to stop fighting. In that hour, Cako appeared to feel much more comfortable, him and I came to peace, he seemed to understand.

1130 hours on Wednesday, Cako went into surgery. 1300 hours, Cako came out of surgery. I got to see Cako a few times throughout Wednesday evening. Even though Cako was on heavy morphine, whenever I would speak his ears would perk up. Wednesday night my wife and I slept at the hospital on the floor. Thursday morning about 0200 hours, the doctors woke my wife and I up and told us Cako was having some trouble. They were having trouble keeping his breathing from going too fast. My wife and I sat with Cako and tried to calm him.

Thursday afternoon about 1630 hours, the doctors assistant told me they would have the biopsy results in about an hour. The assistant told me the patholigist had already spoken with the doctor but they were going to look at the slides. When the doctor walked by my room, she would not look at me. I called my department and asked that someone bring my uniform. At 1745 hours, the doctor informed us that his kidneys were beyond repair and the only choice was to put him to sleep. I told the doctor they could bring him in the room after I got my uniform on. I told them to make sure he had his collar and badge on. My wife, the other K-9 handler and her husband, a department detecitve were there with me. At 1807 hours, the doctor came into the room and told us right after Cako was unhooked from all the IV's, he took one last deep breath and then passed. Cako had left this world on his terms, he was tired of fighting the pain, and he knew I was ok with it. It was 4 of the worse days of my life. But, I cant imagine living my life without the 2 wonderful years that Cako and I were able to spend together.

He never lost a fight with a bad guy.........and he didnt loose this fight either.........he just chose to take up another fight in another place.

UPDATE: Shadow just trying to learn the job
By J.D. Defreitas/MI Staff Reporter

Three months ago the community learned the value of a police K-9 while searching for a murder suspect. That insight led to even greater support for the replacement of Moberly K-9 officer Cako, who died in November. Just 81 days later, the MPD welcomed a new officer when Shadow joined the team on Dec. 30. "The push was always there," Moberly Police Officer and K-9 handler Shane Newbrough said of the need to replace Cako. "I think that just brought to light the need in the public's view, and obviously because the media picked up on that story," he added. "That really helped us out because people related to what happened. It took place in their back yard." Approximately $11,000 was raised and donated in 81 days to pay for Shadow and his training. The volume of support for the new K-9, who arrived in Moberly on his birthday, came as a bit of a shock to his new handler.
"To raise that much in 81 days is pretty impressive," Newbrough said. "Within 24 hours of Cako dying, I had phone calls at my residence and the Chief had calls at the Police Department of people wanting to know what they could do. The response from the community was mind boggling." Proving the worth of police dogs wasn't necessary to the Moberly Department, but Columbia Police's Cosmo came through with flying colors when put to the test three months ago. With the help of officers Todd Alber and Cosmo, a fleeing murder suspect was found after a 50-minute search on Dec. 21. Cosmo's success only added to Moberly's K-9 support. Chief Mike Garbulski recently established the Cako Memorial Fund to be used for replacement of other dogs, or to cover costs of training and equipment. "That's one reason why I like working here," Newbrough said. "There are a lot of communities out there that don't support their police department like Moberly does; I can assure you. "This department supports the K-9 program from top down, and the community supports the police department. It makes it a good place to work." Aware of the importance of having another K-9 back on the street, trainer Mike Ervin agreed to train Shadow before all of the money came in. Shadow went through tests and eight weeks of training with Newbrough in Cape Girardeau. The training consists of basic obedience, gradually building up to more complicated tasks for the dogs. "We started with basic obedience like sit, to laying down and heeling," Newbrough said. "We teach them narcotics detection, tracking (something he's tremendous at), building searches and apprehension." The dogs' training doesn't stop at eight weeks, however. The K-9s have to go through weekly training to stay sharp.

"It's extremely important to keep these dogs up to speed on everything," stated Newbrough. "It requires a lot more training than just training someone to handle a radar gun. "Once a person learns how to use a radar gun they remember. But dogs' memories are so short that unless you continuously reinforce that action, sometimes they tend to forget." Newbrough said the K-9s hit their prime between ages four to six, and usually hit retirement nearing age eight. Shadow is already learning the appreciation of going to work. "When the red lights come he knows something's up," Newbrough said. "I'll let him out to go to the bathroom at home and the first thing he does is run over to the police car. It's because he wants to go to work; that's his fun time." And it's also fun time for Newbrough, who says nothing makes him more comfortable than knowing his work is appreciated. "It's nice coming to work every day knowing that the people we're out here protecting want us there," he said. "It makes it a lot easier to come to work each day."
As for Shadow, he's on his way to becoming a great police dog. "We keep Cako's collar and badge hanging on my spotlight in the car," said Newbrough, "in case Shadow ever needs to ask him any questions."

In Loving Memory of
K-9 HEIDI
September 15, 2003
Tour of duty 1994 to 2000

HEIDI

Born To Love

Trained To Serve

Loyal To The End

Never Forgotten
Partner: Sgt. Patrick Flanagan
North Kingstown Police Dept.
Capt. Charles Brennan
8166 Post Rd. North Kingstown, RI 02852
401. 294-3316

Police bid fond farewell to 4-legged coworker
September 25, 2003 - BY ERIN EMLOCK Journal Staff Writer

NORTH KINGSTOWN -- Members of the North Kingstown Police Department are saddened by the loss of one of their canine co-workers. Heidi, who was the department's first drug detection dog, was euthanized last week as a result of her rapidly declining health, according to Capt. Charles E. Brennan. She was 13. Heidi joined the department in 1994. During her career, she not only worked on North Kingstown cases but also assisted many local and federal police agencies. She retired three years ago. "Heidi allowed us to have the extra element to find drugs when maybe we wouldn't have," Brennan said. Heidi, a German shepherd, was adopted from the North Kingstown Animal Pound for just $5, Brennan said. She was eventually valued at $4,000 after extensive training. Heidi was certified as a drug detection dog by the state Department of Corrections K-9 Narcotics School, and was nationally certified by the North American Working Dog

Association. Sgt. Patrick Flanagan was Heidi's handler. He said he had always wanted to work with a dog, and has many good memories of Heidi. "It was fun," Flanagan said. "She went to work with me every day for six years." While he was working with Heidi, Flanagan drove a police cruiser that was designed to enable the dog to comfortably stay in the back of the car. Heidi lived with Flanagan and his family while she was working for the department and after her retirement. Heidi and Flanagan worked on cases with the Coast Guard, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and many local police departments, including Newport, East Greenwich and Narragansett. Together, Heidi and Flanagan earned numerous awards and letters of appreciation for their work. Heidi also visited local schools, where she did drug detection demonstrations to foster drug awareness and prevention. Community members helped finance Heidi's work through the department's Operation Drug Dog program. North Kingstown's current drug dog is Bert, a German shepherd who works and lives with Officer Kevin Gleason. Brennan says drug dogs usually live with their handlers.

"They become not only working partners but also friends."
submitted by: Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

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