 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2005 page 25 The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of memorial 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 LARRY 1994 - September 1, 2005  Partner: Officer Mike Onka Independence Police Dept.
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Officer Mike Onka and K-9 Larry worked together as a K-9 team for 39 months with the Sugar Creek Police Department and for 23 months with the Independence Police Department. During this time this team was certified by both the North American Police Working Dog Association and the Missouri Police Canine Association. Here is just a brief summary of their career together: Canine Calls - 1678 Canine Demos - 138 Citizen Contacts - 13284 Canine Apprehensions - 51 Building Searches - 310 Article Searches - 32 Narcotic Searches - 1005 Narcotic Finds - 451 Track/Field Searches - 259 Officer Protections - 72 Officer Mike Onka and K-9 Larry received Officer of the Month honors for a track they conducted in September of 2000. Officers pursued what was later determined to be a stolen auto to the wooded area near Lake City Circle. After an exhausting search, K-9 Larry made an indication on where the two suspects were hiding at which point they were taken into custody without further problems. Also in November of 2001 Officer Mike Onka and K-9 Larry received Officer of the Month honors for another track that they conducted in Blue Springs, MO. The team was called out to assist Blue Springs Police and Fire Department officers in locating a missing Alzheimer victim. Again Officer Onka's training and K-9 Larry's abilities put them in a position to locate the elderly man who would have surely perished in the inclement weather had it not been for this canine team. Even after his retirement K-9 Larry was still able to give back to the community. He was still utilized at many of the public demonstrations mainly because he was so cuddly and hugable. He loved kids and loved to show off his abilities to groups of people. K-9 Larry leaves behind his "dad', Mike, "mom", Carrie, "brothers", Mikey and Brenden and his protegee, K-9 Nux. He also leaves a hole in the heart of the members of the Independence Police Department, especially the members of the Canine Unit. K-9 Larry * Our friend, please do us the honor of watching over all of us, and our partners, from above. Walk the heavenly streets with those who have gone before us. Know you will always be loved and sorely missed by all who knew you, especially, your companion and friend, Officer Mike Onka. REST IN PEACE, LOYAL GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT. |
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| In Loving
Memory of MWD RONNY #A331 April 11, 1997 - ?  Partners: 7th Security Forces-Squadron 7th Support Group, 7th Bomb Wing and the USAF Lackland Air Force Base |
Military Working
Dog Ronny, brand #A331, was a longhaired German Shepherd, who was
whelped on 11 April 1997. He was accepted into military service in 6
January 1999. He completed his initial training in handler protection,
explosives detection and was certified as a Patrol/Explosive Detector
Dog at Lackland AFB, Texas. Ronny was assigned to Dyess AFB, Texas, in May 1999 where he went through two months of acclimation to his new environment and numerous training scenarios. Ronny was locally certified for operational duties in July 1999. He quickly established himself as a stellar Military Working Dog both on and off duty. On several occasions Ronny was used to perform at bomb threat situations not only on Dyess, but also in the surrounding communities. His actions were instrumental in providing these communities with a sense of security from criminal and terrorist activities. On five separate occasions, Ronny and his handler were requested to perform U.S. Secret Service support missions. While on these missions, Ronny ensured visits by the President of the United States were safe and incident free. He was an integrated part of our country’s force protection mission during his three deployments to Southwest Asia. His presence and extreme hard work provided an invaluable blanket of security for thousands of deployed service members and millions of dollars in Department of Defense Resources. During his distinguished career, Ronny participated in over 50 public demonstrations, witnessed by over five thousand citizens. These demonstrations helped solidify the already strong ties Dyess AFB shared with the Abilene community and provided a sense of security. Ronny dedicated his life serving the needs of his handler, the 7th Security Forces Squadron, 7th Support Group, 7th Bomb Wing, and the United States Air Force. In return we pay him this honorable tribute. You will be truly missed. |
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| In Loving
Memory of MWD CEZAR 1996 ~ 2003  Partner/handler: Mc Gowan M. Anderson Jr., TSgt, USAF Kennel Master / NCOIC MWD Section 377 Security Forces Squadron Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
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Upon returning to home station he also provided security while TDY to Holloman and Cannon AFBs for two air shows. They also were praised for their diligence for conducting sweeps for the Homeland Security conference. This team was commended by Secretary Tom Ridge, Homeland Security Director, for their professionalism and diligence in ensuring the safety of all participants of the conference. They also met the call during our Creek Bridge taskings. Enduring 90-degree temperatures, Cezar pressed on without hesitation ensuring that all vehicles and equipment that came in his area of responsibility was cleared. Even the very tough SSgt Helms would say “it’s getting hot but Cezar would look up at me and give me a look that would say ‘follow me, I will get you back to the A/C in the truck, just let me finish searching the Pad.’” Yes – Cezar was a true warrior and his actions will be fondly remembered. I can honestly say without hesitation that they were the best team that I have worked with or witnessed in my career. Without reservation SSgt Helms and Cezar was my go-to team, for both TDY’s and MWD Demonstrations. MWD Cezar — you will be sorely missed. Thank you for all that you have given to John and Jennifer Helms and the section, the unit and the Base. You made us all proud, and we will forever remember you for your work. |
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| In Loving
Memory of K-9 FALK  Partner: Deputy Mike Gibbs Delaware County Sheriff 100 W. Washington St. Muncie, Indiana 47305 Sheriff's Office: (765) 747-7885 |
Falk
served the citizen's of Delaware County as a K-9 partner for almost
nine years. During his career with his partner, Deputy Mike Gibbs, he
was involved in hundreds of drug arrests, drug siezures and Emergency
Response Team call outs. He was one of the most reliable K-9 units to
ever serve our community which is why his partner is quoted as saying,
"Even when Falk was really ailing, he was always 100%." Falk's
beautiful urn created by Ray Allen bears the inscription, "Always 100
%". Delaware County Sheriff, Indiana |
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| In Loving Memory
of K-9 GUNNER June 6, 2005  Partner: Officer William Van Antwerp Prince County Police Dept. 1 County Complex Court (MA 475) Prince William, VA 22192 703 792.6650 Woodbridge, VA |
K9
GUNNER - Shot & killed 6/6/05 By DAVID STEGON 6/8/05 VA A Prince William County police officer unknowingly shot and killed a police dog during the chase of a suspect Monday night in Woodbridge, a police spokeswoman said. Officers were chasing a 24-year-old Woodbridge man into a town house on Winslow Court after the man fled during a traffic stop in Woodbridge, said 1st Sgt. Kim Chinn. The police dog's handler was one of the first officers on the scene and followed the man into the home, police said. The handler pressed a button on his gun belt that opened a door of his police car to let out the dog, Gunner, so he could help in the pursuit, police said. However, when Gunner got out of the car, the door to the house was closed. Other officers arrived on the scene and saw Gunner outside the house. Gunner approached an officer, who then shot him, not knowing he was part of the police force, police said. Gunner was taken to a veterinarian but died. Police are doing an internal investigation of the incident, as is customary any time an officer fires a gun, police said. One of the gunshots ricocheted into an adjoining town house, but no one was hurt, police said. Gunner, a 7-year-old German shepherd, was with the Prince William County police department for six years. For the past four years, Gunner was assigned to officer William Van Antwerp and lived with his family. "It's a sad day for all of us here," Chinn said. Gunner was one of five dogs the department used, primarily in tracking and apprehending subjects, search and rescue. Some, such as Gunner, are also used in drug detection, police said. The dogs typically cost around $3,500, but some are donated to the force. The dogs undergo a 16-week K-9 school, along with nine weeks of drug training as well as monthly training, police said. "It is immeasurable to put a dollar figure on these dogs," Chinn said. "They are definitely an investment, but they are a very valuable resource for us." Gunner won first place at the U.S. Police K-9 Association competition last year and has won several other awards. As a result of the chase, Jason Randolph Beer of 1945 Winslow Court was charged with driving under the influence, unreasonable refusal, felony alluding, possession of a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana in the case, police said. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA |