 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s
2003
page
6
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
VEKO
February
24, 2003
Partner:
Officer
Henry Minor
Manchester
Police Department
Connecticut
239
East Middle Turnpike, - Manchester, CT 06040
(860)
643-3327
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With
deepest Sympathy, I have to report that K-9 Veko passed away on
02/24/03.
The decision was made to put him to sleep due to severe medical
problems
which prevented him from walking. Veko was 11 plus years old, and
served the Manchester Police Department for over six years.
Officer
Henry Minor and "Veko" were the Award Recipients in 2001 of
the
Daniel
Wasson Memorial K-9 Award ,
the
highest award given to a Connecticut K-9 team. This was the result of a
particular violent encounter with an offender. Both Officer Minor and
"Veko"
demonstrated unbelievable persistence, courage and bravery. He
will
be sadly missed by his partner and the citizens of Manchester who he
faithfully
served. A memorial service will be planned at a future date.
Jim
Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
 Cards
mailed 2/28/03 & email received.
photo
of K9 Storm to be placed here.
Storm
is working with Officer Minor after
Veko
retired.
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In
Loving Memory of
K-9
TIGER
February
23, 2003
Partner: Officer
Rusty
Aycocke
Blount
County Sheriff's Office TN
Blount
County Sheriff's Office
Blount
County Justice Center - 940 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville,
Tennessee 37804
Phone
(865) 273-5000 - Fax (865) 273-5134
pam
K-9
Tiger had surgery on Friday February 21st (minor surgery, for a hernia
problem). After surgery, Tiger suffered complications from an
undetected
bacteria that could have been in his system for about a year. The
bacteria
had
evidently gathered around his heart and ultimately caused his lungs to
fill with fluid. (During the hernia surgery, the vet neutered
Tiger
because his prostate was enlarged--now we know that the prostate
trouble
was probably the root of the bacteria.) Tiger had not shown any signs
of
a serious problem. He was eight and a half years old, but he
acted
like a five year old. He was in excellent condition and was
always
anxious to work.
`More
than a pet, he's an officer's partner'
-
Service honors K-9's life
2003-03-02
- - by Anna C. Irwin - of The Daily Times Staff
More
than 200 people turned out Saturday to celebrate the life of K-9 Tiger,
paying tribute to the police dog who died a week ago from post surgical
complications and to his partner, Blount County Sheriff's Deputy Rusty
Aycocke. Trophies and awards the K-9 and his partner earned were spread
out on the apron of the stage at the Theater in the Park along with
several
large photographs of the dog. The team's cruiser bearing Tiger's name
was
parked near the side of the stage with a white floral tribute spelling
out "Tiger" across the windshield. K-9 trainer and handler Bob
Suarez
assured the audience that no one is "putting a dog
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cards
waitng for better photo
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and
a human on the same pedestal, but a police canine is more than a pet;
he's
an officer's partner. Few of us know anyone willing to throw themselves
in the line of danger to protect you." The program opened with the
Blount
County Fire Department Color Guard presenting the flag supported by the
Blount County Sheriff's Office and Maryville Police Department Honor
Guards.
The Blount County Sheriff's K-9 Unit, eight dogs and their handlers,
saluted
Tiger and Aycocke from the stage as 16 dogs and officers from other law
enforcement agencies lined up in front of the stage for the opening of
the memorial service. Alcoa and Maryville K-9 teams led the group.
Other
agencies represented included the Lenoir City and Clinton police
departments
and sheriff's offices from Loudon, Knox, Sullivan, Carter, Campbell and
Hawkins counties. Blount County Sheriff's Office Chaplain Randy Cruze,
coordinator for the chaplains program, called Aycocke a "poster boy"
for
the sheriff's office, commending him for his professionalism and
recounting
the first time he saw Tiger and Aycocke in action. Cruze also cited the
dog's willingness to lay down his life for his partner and "the people
they serve and protect." Cpl. Rusty Borden, K-9 Unit supervisor,
remembered
the day he and Aycocke first saw Tiger in 1996. He said Aycocke watched
the dog demonstrate his skills and decided he wanted Tiger as his
partner
if he could become a K-9 officer. Citing Suarez' description of the
Dutch
shepherd as "high-spirited, a little small, a little weird looking,"
Borden
said Tiger was "unusually striped" and looked "too small" but had "so
much
courage, speed and mental toughness." He said once Tiger and Aycocke
were
paired, he watched the partnership, friendship and bond between the two
grow. "Tiger was kind of small for a police dog," Borden said. "But he
had the heart of a tiger." Cpl. Chuck Garner said he and Aycocke became
Blount County deputies on the same day in 1995 and were paired with
their
K-9 partners -- Kilo and Tiger -- on the same day in 1997. The two
young
deputies and their dogs worked together to become the first place K-9
Team
(two pairs of officers and dogs) in the region for the last two years.
That was one of may honors earned by Tiger and Aycocke during the dog's
service. Dr. Ed Lehman, veterinarian for the K-9 Unit, read a letter to
Aycocke he and his staff had composed. The letter cited Tiger's
devotion
to his partner and friend. Aycocke's wife, Whitney, read a poem
composed
by her mother in honor of the dog that was part of her family, even
part
of the wedding party when she and Aycocke were married in October 1999.
Several gifts -- a plaque, a scrapbook, and a shadowbox --were
presented
to Aycocke and his wife, then the deputy extended his thanks to the
community
for their support during the time he and Tiger were working together
and
since Tiger's death on Feb. 23. "He was my best friend as well as my
partner,"
Aycocke said. "He was loyal, loving and faithful. I spent thousands of
hours with him, training and working, but he taught me more than I
taught
him -- to be a more responsible person, a better person."
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In
Loving Memory
of
K-9
ARGO
February
27, 2003
Partner:
Cpl.
Mark Baird
Sullivan
County Sheriff Dept.
P.O.
Box 589 - Blountville, TN 37617
(423)279-7500
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Sullivan
County Sheriff's Office regrets to inform you of the loss of K-9 Argo.
He became ill Thursday and was taken to the UT Hospital where
veterinarians
determined the K-9 had spleen cancer. Immediate surgery was done and
K-9
Argo passed away during surgery as a result of complications.
K-9
Argo was six years old and had made numerous felony arrests, while
keeping
Sullivan County safe. K-9 Argo was handled by Corporal Mark Baird. He
will
truly be missed by the Sullivan county Sheriff's office and by his
handler,
Cpl.
Mark Baird.
cards
mailed 3/4/03& recd. w/wonderful email.
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In
Loving Memory
of
K-9
EX
February
22, 2003
Partner:
P.O.
Robert P. Tauber, Jr.
Yonkers
Police Department
730
E. Grassy Sprain Rd.
- Yonkers,
NY 10710
914-377.
7388
cards mailed 3/15/03
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K-9
Ex was appointed to the Police Department on June 5, 1995. In
January
2000, Ex had surgery to remove a malignant tumor on his side. On
February
22, 2003, he lost his battle with cancer and was laid to rest. To his
credit
have been multiple burglary arrests, surrenders and the identification
to the S.W.A.T. team of the hiding spot for two armed felons.
However,
his handlers proudest moment was the track of a robbery/murder suspect
in the pouring rain at 0400 hrs. The track of over 1 mile in
length
encompassed woods/trails/grassy hills/a park and the crossing of a 4
lane
roadway to the rear of a housing complex consisting of over 250
apartments.
Although the track ended at a locked door, detectives were able to
follow
up inside and locate a suspect.
On a personal note to all the K-9 handlers out there:
after
retiring Ex in 2001 due to cancer, I was soon thereafter regretting my
decision. Watching him run around my property with my wife and daughter
I thought I'd retired him too soon and he could have returned to work
after
his recovery from surgery. Today I realize that it was one of the best
decisions I ever made. Memories of his happiness and the
happiness
he brought to my family and myself over the past 3 years are
priceless.
If you get the opportunity enjoy your partner at home in a relaxing
atmosphere.
The time goes by so quickly it's a blur.
To my faithful partner who taught me Czech -
You
will nev
er be forgotten and always be in my heart, thank you for protecting
me - Love Daddy.
To my best buddy and constant companion -
I
love
you and miss you, especially all the noise you made and the hair you
shed
in the house- Love Mommy
To my best friend -
I
miss
you every day and every day ask mommy and daddy
if
you
are okay - Love MacKenzie.
P.O. Robert P. Tauber Jr.
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