Memorials to Fallen K-9s
2000
&
some previous to 2000
page
2
F.A.S.T.
Co. donates cards to all partners
of all
working dogs/horses sent by priority mail
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
SABRE
January
23, 1999
LODD
Partners:
Officer
Matt Ramsey &
Sgt.
Mary Stevens
Lansing
Police Dept. MI
120
W. Michigan Ave.
Lansing,
MI 4893
Donations
to purchase ballistic vests for
all
eight remaining K-9's. Please contact:
Sabre
Memorial Fund
c/o
Lansing Community Credit Union
4510
S. Pennsylvania
Lansing,
Michigan 48910
|
On
1/23/99, K-9 Sabre was killed from hostile fire while defending the lives
of his partners,
Officer
Matt Ramsey & Sgt. Mary Stevens
Officers
had responded to the scene of a fight at a local Lansing apartment building.
Upon officers arrival, a subject jumped out of a rear, second story window
and started running from the officers (gun in hand). K-9 Sabre led officers
to a near by house, where the suspect had broken into the basement. In
the house at the time were several people who were all asleep, including
a six year old little girl. While this felon was hiding in their house
(with a gun), the officers negotiated with the accused and tried to get
him to come out. He refused to do so. Finally, the officers and Sabre entered
the same rear walk out door to the basement that had been broken into by
the accused. Upon their entry, the accused opened fire on the officers.
Sabre, doing what he was trained to do, went to the threat. During the
gunfight, Sabre forced the accused out from behind a brick barricade. When
he appeared (and was still firing) he was hit with a fatal shot. Sabre,
sustained three hits to the torso while trying to protect his partner and
Sgt. Stevens. Sabre died on scene a few moments later with Matt at his
side. Matt was devastated by the loss. The Lansing Police Department held
a memorial service for Sabre on 1/28/99. Between 500-600 citizens and officers
were in attendance, with officers from all over the U.S. Midwest and Canada
paying tribute to a true fallen hero. Sabre died probably saving the lives
of Sgt. Stevens and Officer Ramsey. Sabre will be truly missed. Supportive
citizens from outside the Lansing Police Department are currently seeking
donations to purchase ballistic vests for all eight remaining K-9's. Please
contact:
ADDRESS
ON THE LEFT.
|
In Loving Memory
of
K-9
COPPER
November
16, 1999
 
Deputy
James "Monk" Kenney
Clay
County Sheriff's Dept.
Morganville,
KS
Wednesday,
November 17, 1999
By Wayne
Culley
MORGANVILLE,
Kan. (APBnews.com) -- A sheriff's deputy and his police dog were shot dead
as they tried to apprehend an escaped jail inmate, authorities said
today. Clay County Deputy Jim "Monk" Kenney, 62, was killed at about
4:30 p.m. Tuesday when he and his dog, Copper, tried to execute a
search warrant at the home of 22-year-old Jeffery Hebert, who had escaped
from the jail in nearby Cloud County on Monday, officials said.
Kenney and his dog were leading a team of officers into the suspect's home
when Hebert allegedly burst out and shot the officer in the head with a
shotgun. The six-year veteran, who had started the department's K-9 Unit,
was pronounced dead at Clay County Medical Center. The dog was also killed
instantly. Tiffany Ball, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Attorney General's
Office, said authorities do not know what prompted Hebert to open
fire. He had been nearing the end of a term for a violation of the probation
he received for marijuana possession and DUI charges, officials said. Hebert
had escaped from jail after overpowering two guards. A manhunt ensued that
included as many as 40 officers who combed the county. Kenney was leading
a small group of officers tasked with searching for the suspect at his
Clay County home. Hebert is now being held on $750,000 bail on a charge
of first-degree murder and misdemeanor killing of a police dog. He could
face the death penalty, but Ball said a decision has not been made. The
deputy was a retired Wichita Kansas police officer. He trained police K-9s
for officers in southeast Kansas. He loved the job so much after retiring
he decided to join the small Sheriffs department so he could still work
dogs. MORGANVILLE -- Sheriff's Deputy James "Monk" Kenney,
|
.
|
62,
was fatally shot as he attempted to serve a warrant for an escaped inmate
inside a house Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Kansas Bureau of Investigation
spokesman Scott Teeselink said Jeffery Hebert, 22, Morganville, was taken
into custody following the shooting. Law Enforcement Center records show
the arrest was made around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Hebert, wearing a bullet-proof
vest and restraints, made a first appearance at 2 p.m. today in Clay County
District Court. In the two-count complaint filed by County Attorney Doug
Martin, Hebert is charged with first degree murder and inflicting death
on a police dog. Magistrate Judge Paul Wright set Hebert's preliminary
hearing date tentatively for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. Hebert, who was
represented by a public defender, was ordered held on $750,000 cash or
surety bond by Wright. The KBI is heading
up the
investigation of the shooting death of the veteran law enforcement officer
Kenney, who started the Clay County K-9 unit. Many Clay County residents
and -- certainly his fellow officers -- remained in a state of shock today
over Kenney's death. KBI agent Wiley Kerr, Clay Center, directed all questions
about the investigation to Teeselink. Teeselink told the Dispatch Kenney
was executing a search warrant with other officers when he was shot. Teeselink
said four KBI officers this morning were assigned to the investigation
and up to six KBI officers could be involved in working on the case with
local authorities. "There will be literally hundreds of hours of investigation
to take place," Teeselink said. "There's still a lot of work yet to do."
Teeselink declined to answer detailed questions about the investigation
or weapons involved.
"Many
of those details will not be released until the trial," Teeselink said.
Teeselink said the KBI will be working with County Attorney Martin and
the Kansas Attorney General's office on the case. Martin said he sought
the Attorney General's office assistance to serve as the lead prosecuting
agency, based on mutually agreed guidelines. Hebert was one of three men
who escaped Monday night from the Cloud County Jail in Concordia, Teeselink
said. The other two were captured Monday night. Hebert, formerly of Clay
Center, had been serving time in Cloud County for violating probation and
possession of marijuana. Cloud County Sheriff's Investigator Steven Rupert
said Hebert escaped about 9:30 p.m. Monday along with Thomas E. Smith Jr.,
of Clyde, and Russell T. Britt, of Concordia. Smith, 22, and Britt, 19,
were captured Monday night. Smith was arrested at a friend's home, and
Britt was arrested while trying to get to a relative's house in Clyde.
Rupert said both were charged with aggravated escape from custody and aggravated
assault on a corrections officer. The three inmates escaped by overpowering
a corrections officer and breaking out of the jail's main window, falling
10 feet to the ground. Rupert said the three suffered minor scrapes, while
the officer had minor injuries. Smith was being held on charges of aggravated
criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Britt was
being held for violation of probation for burglary, Rupert said.
|
In Loving Memory
of
K-9
Quanto
November
16, 1999
Partner:
Officer J.J. Thurne
Jacksonville
Sheriff's Dept. FL
Officer
keeps reliving struggle, mourns loss of K-9 companion
By Kathleen
Sweeney Times-Union staff writer
The
shooting plays continuously in Jacksonville police Officer J.J. Thurne's
mind: Releasing his K-9 partner Quanto to chase after an armed robbery
suspect. Quanto tiring as the suspect beat him with his hands and legs.
The numbness in his hand, not realizing part of his trigger finger had
been torn away after a shot was fired. Quanto lying on his side and not
moving after a nudge. The 21-year Jacksonville Sheriff's Office veteran
remembers it vividly each time he tells the story since he was shot last
week by a robbery suspect who had escaped from jail. It's a story he's
told many officers who have stopped him in the hallway at the Police Memorial
Building, where he returned to work part time yesterday. ''You look back
and wonder what you could have done to prevent this or make it come out
in a different light,'' he said. ''If I could trade a finger for the dog,
there wouldn't be a question. The dog is the hardest thing to deal with.''
After a week of grieving, planning a memorial service for his partner of
two years and meeting with doctors, Thurne, 41, is learning to be a ''lefty''
and looking forward to meeting his new partner. But Thurne knows the new
dog won't be able to replace the one he lost in the shooting. Gary Lee
Neil, 22, who is accused of shooting
|
|
Thurne
and killing Quanto, is being held at the Duval County jail. He is charged
with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, killing a police dog
and escape. Police are still searching for the driver of the dark blue
Chevrolet that Neil jumped from that night. Thurne said an officer never
knows whom he will encounter on the street. That night, he didn't know
it was the same man he and Quanto helped arrest in January after a shooting
at a Burger King restaurant on San Pablo Road and chase with police. He
remembers struggling with him then. It wasn't any different last week,
Thurne said. The man continued to fight even after Quanto bit him on the
leg for the third time. Thurne grabbed the man and started applying pressure
around his neck when the suspect reached back to grab his gun. It was then
they struggled for the weapon and the gun fired. Thurne felt his hand go
numb, but he didn't realize he or Quanto had been shot. The bullet plunged
through the middle knuckle of his right index finger and came out above
the top knuckle. The struggle continued as Thurne tried to get control
of the gun. Before they went to the ground, the man tried pointing the
gun toward his chest. ''I knew I was in trouble,'' he said. Though Thurne
was tiring, he kept fighting, '''cause I know I was going to die if I didn't,''
he said. Thurne tried to fire as the suspect dashed into nearby woods until
he noticed his finger was nearly torn away. By the time he switched hands,
the man was gone. Other officers found him hiding in a garage a few blocks
away. Thurne, a father of three children ages 12, 10 and 6, didn't tell
his youngest what happened for days. The others took the news hard. ''He
[Quanto] was big and mean, but you knew when his feelings were hurt,''
Thurne said. ''He's just like a child. With the exception of the dog, I
feel I came out smelling like roses considering the alternatives.'' Thurne's
been shot at before, he said. But he now thinks there may be other alternatives
to handling dangerous situations and isn't sure how he'll react the next
time he's faced with sending his dog after a suspect. For now, he is working
administrative duties until he recovers and has another surgery to replace
the bone in his right index finger. He hopes to regain use of his finger.
Quanto, 4, will remain at the city morgue until his burial, which could
be in a few months. Thurne said they are waiting for the new police academy
to open to bury him on site. ''He was a pretty amazing dog,'' he said,
proudly. ''Quanto was doing his job. He was getting tired. He ultimately
saved my life.''
|
....
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"MARCO"
January 18, 2000
Partner, Officer
Cory Smith
AMERICAN FORK, UT,
USA
98 North
Central St.
|
With
community donations, many coming from children,
the
American Fork Police Department has received more than $10,000
in donations
to purchase a new police service dog to replace Marco,
a Belgium
Malinois 4 years old, died Jan. 18 during a routine procedure
to repair
an abscessed tooth. Officer Smith lost his partner,
Marco
after operation on tooth, he died from complications from
undigested
food. Marco cannot be replaced, but working with Nik helps.
Officer Smith has a new partner,
"NIK"
from Holland, March 2000. Good Luck to you both!
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"MAVERICK"
Date certified: March
26, 1997
Date End of Watch:
February 12, 2000
LODD
Partner
Deputy
Theodore "TJ" Van Bebber
Sonoma
Sheriff Dept.
Santa
Rose, CA
2796
Ventura Avenue
Santa
Rosa, CA 95403
(707)
565-2511
Maverick
died in the line of duty.
A
4 year old German Shepherd who didn't want
to let
the suspect get away.
Sonoma
County Sheriff's Dept. Santa Rose, CA
In
Maverick's memory, the City of Santa Rosa
City
Council enacted:
RESOLUTION
NO. 24426
RESOLUTION
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA NAMING THE DOG PARK IN DeTURK
ROUND BARN PARK IN HONOR OF MAVERICK
..
WHEREAS,
the City of Santa Rosa has constructed a park at 8th and Donahue Streets
which includes a dog park area; and
..
WHEREAS,
Maverick was a valuable member of the K-9 Corps of the Sonoma County Sheriff's
Department and frequently worked with the Santa Rosa Police Department;
and
..
WHEREAS,
Maverick was killed in the line of duty in the City of Santa Rosa; and
..
WHEREAS,
the Board of Community Services has recommended that the dog park in DeTurk
Round Barn Park be named in honor of Maverick.
..
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the dog park located in DeTurk Round Barn
Park be named in honor of Maverick.
IN
COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 30th day of May, 2000
|
Our
hearts go out to you, "TJ, Katie, Dustin, Kelly,
Kristyn
and Teddy."
Thanks
to the VanBebber family
for
their lovely note
and
photo of Maverick sent to Bob & I.
TJ is
training a new German Shepherd, "COLT."
They
will soon be back on the streets together
to make
them safer for everyone.
|
Maverick
,German Shepard ,Male 4 1/2-years-old
Sonoma
County Sheriff's Department
Canine
Officer Maverick
The
Sonoma County Sheriff's Department is sad to report that they have lost
a Canine in the line of duty. Department Canine "Maverick" was struck by
a motor vehicle and killed while pursuing two armed suspects that were
in possession of a half pound of amphetamine and a loaded handgun. Maverick,
a male German Shepherd, was donated to the Sheriff Department on March
26, 1997. Maverick was one and a half years olds and was assigned to Deputy
T.J. VanBebber as his partner. Maverick went through an extensive training
program which included Field Searching, Suspect Apprehension, Handler Protection
and Obedience Training. Maverick was a fast learner and was certified to
start working patrol within six weeks. Outside of his fieldwork Maverick
represented the Department in several canine demonstrations. Because of
his friendly demeanor he was repeatedly asked to perform in demonstrations
in local schools. During his short but productive career, Maverick was
responsible for apprehending several Felony suspects. Maverick was best
known for apprehending three suspects following a vehicle pursuit from
a shots fired call. After the vehicle stopped three suspects fled on foot.
Maverick pursued after the suspects with Deputy VanBebber. Maverick tackled
two of the suspects, knocking them to the ground. He then pursued the third
suspect, catching him by the leg and holding him till Deputy VanBebber
arrived. On Mavericks last night on patrol Deputy VanBebber and Maverick
were patrolling the area of west Santa Rosa, which is classified as a high
crime area. Maverick is well known in this area by the criminal types.
Another deputy had made a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected of being
involved in criminal activity and that deputy requested a back up. Deputy
VanBebber and Maverick responded. As they arrived on scene, the two suspects
who were being detained, could hear Maverick barking from the patrol vehicle,
which was a trademark of his. The suspects, with the arrival of the canine,
started to become uncooperative with the deputies. The suspects then fled
on foot with Maverick in hot pursuit. During the foot pursuit the suspect
dropped a large quantity of drugs and a loaded handgun. While crossing
a busy street a vehicle swerved to miss one of the eluding suspects and
struck Maverick who had almost caught up to that suspect. Maverick
was immediately rushed to a nearby veterinarian clinic where he was pronounced
dead a short time later. Maverick died on February 12, 2000. Although his
career was cut short, he was killed in the line of duty, doing what he
loved best, "Chasing Bad Guys." Maverick - Handler: T. J. VanBebber
"I lost
my partner. He was one tough cop.
The
kind of guy who got hit by a car.
He nearly
caught a fleeing drug suspect from behind."
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"MAX"
December 1, 1999
LODD
Partner: Deputy
Ernest Borrego
Santa Fe, NM
Santa
Fe County Sheriff's Office
S#35
CAMINO JUSTICIA
SANTA
FE, NEW MEXICO 87508
(505)986-2456
Max
loss his life in the line of duty
to an
accidental overdose of amphetamines.
Missed
by family & friends
Thank
you Deputy,
for
calling me, I feel your loss.
Now
Sgt. Borrego and has K9 Ajax
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"ROCKY"
January 18, 2000
Partner, Officer Steven
Schaumleffel
Quitman, AR
Found
shot and left at the side of the road.
$1000
Reward
offered
to apprehend killer. Anyone with information call:
501.589.3512
or 24 hour Heber Springs dispatcher at 501.362.8291
emailed Kelly
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"ISMAR"
January 30, 2000
LODD
Partner: Officer James
Swanson
Leesville
Police Dept., LA
Police
Dept. canine Killed in the line of duty
Belgium
Malinois, age 2
Officer
Swanson & Isar
Leesville
Daily
Leader
Several
people gathered to mourn the death of Leesville Police Department canine,
Ismar, at a Wednesday memorial service. Chief of Police Bobby Hickman delivered
the history of the K-9 to the audience. K-9 units from the Louisiana State
Police, Alexandria and New Llano police departments, Rapides, Sabine, LaSalle
and Vernon Parish Sheriff's Departments, Fort Polk Military Police, and
officers from Rosepine, Anacoco and other departments joined the lineup
at the burial site. Officers placed small white roses on the casket of
their "fallen comrade" as the Swanson family looked on. Ismar was killed
in the line of duty during at the standoff .
LEESVILLE,
LA
Officers
today will bury a police dog shot and killed this weekend during an operation
to arrest a man whom police say held his daughter and her mother captive
with a handgun. Leesville police said they responded to an emergency
call Sunday evening in this small western Louisiana town and found that
56-year-old Douglas Mayo was holding his 26-year-old daughter and his 73-year-old
wife at gunpoint in a house in western Leesville. Police said they
persuaded Mayo to release his captives after about a 45-minute standoff,
but authorities still could not convince him to surrender. When five officers
and their K-9, 2-year-old Ismar, a male Belgian Malinois, stormed into
the house, Mayo allegedly shot Ismar in the face, killing the police pooch
before officers could arrest him. "He was an integral part of the department
and will be greatly
|
|
missed
by fellow officers," Chief Bobby Hickman, who heads the 30-officer police
force, said in a written statement. Memorial service The officers
and the women were not hurt. Mayo was injured, but not seriously,
police said. Police said the 3 p.m. memorial service today for Ismar at
the Leesville Municipal Golf Course was to be followed by a burial ceremony.
The department expected officers from throughout Louisiana to attend. The
dog, which cost the department about $10,000, had been with the police
department for about four months. He had been trained to detect drugs,
search buildings and catch suspects. Mayo, who is being held on $34,500
bond, has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping,
injuring and killing a police animal, weapons possession and aggravated
assault on a police officer, police said. He was to be transferred
to the Vernon Parish Jail this morning and could not be reached for comment.
Suspect had acted 'crazy' Lt. Dale Miller, a Leesville police executive
officer, said a neighbor across the street who is related to Mayo
called 911 before 6:30 p.m. Sunday after apparently seeing or hearing some
kind of turmoil at Mayo's house. The 26-year-old woman at the house later
told police that her father, Douglas Mayo, had been walking around
the house armed with a handgun, acting "crazy" toward her and her mother.
Mayo allegedly did not allow the women -- whose names the police did not
release -- to leave the house. Miller said he did not know exactly
why Mayo had gotten angry. "He has a history of violence and violent behavior.
He had an extensive criminal record," Miller said. "Some of it included
battery on police officers, things like that ... He has a criminal
history that extends back to California." Police also said Mayo had several
guns in the house, including one believed to be similar to an AK-47.
Allegedly taunted officers. The department said that officers who responded
to the 911 alarm tried to call Mayo, but he grew angrier with each
phone call. The two could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile,
Mayo extended the standoff and stood in the doorway taunting the
officers "to come in and do business," police said. The chief said in his
statement that the police tried cutting off the electricity, hoping
the lack of heat would drive out the gunman. A high-pressure water
hose from a fire truck failed to dislodge Mayo, as did pepper gas thrown
into the house. Officers storm house. Miller said a forced entry team including
him, Ismar, his handler, Officer James Swanson, and three other officers
stormed the house. "We all went into the room together. The dog was in
the lead," Miller recalled. The dog, used because he could search
for Mayo by scent, found the alleged gunman in the living room about
20 feet from the door, the executive officer said. Police said Mayo
shot the canine in the face with a shotgun. He then fired at the officers
and missed. Four of the officers returned fire, hitting Mayo once.
Police would not say where. Mayo tried to flee, but finally surrendered.
"At our second request for him to show his hands, he did so, after being
hit," said Miller. "[Officers] pulled him down to the floor; he was handcuffed
and brought outside." The department would not authorize interviews with
other officers who had been at the scene. "I certainly consider [Ismar]
a great loss and it'll be hard to replace, [in] more ways than one,"
Miller said.
.
Thanks
Chaplain David Stewart & everyone who helped organize the out pouring
of calls and correspondence for Officer Swanson. Officer Swanson left the
department.
|
In Loving Memory
of
K-9
"FALCO"
February 18, 2000
LODD
Partner, Deputy
John Schoen
Hoyt Sheriff's Dept,
KS
A Belgium
Malinois K-9
Shot
and killed in the line of duty
Kansas
News
The Topeka
Capital-Journal
The
shooter killed his parents,
shot
the deputy and K-9,
set
his house on fire and died in the blaze.
|
The
bark of police dogs echoed through Holton Cemetery as law enforcement officers
from across the state paid their last respect to Falco, canine officer
killed during a standoff last week. Canine units, law enforcement teams
composed of an officer and a dog, traveled to Holton High School from as
far away as Garden City and Nebraska for a service in memory of Falco.
Officers dabbed their eyes as taps played during a flag folding ceremony
and the official retirement of a fallen canine officer's service number.
After the service, a procession of more than 30 squad cars and police vehicles
with lights flashing wound through the streets on their way to bury Falco,
2 1/2 years old in Holton's pet cemetery. "It's like losing a real officer,"
said Rob Dunham, a deputy who works with canine officers for the Atchison
Sheriff's Dept. "I've been to other funerals for officers, and this was
just as big as any of those."
"That's
amazing to know that this news reaches
that
far away. (referring to magazine from the Netherlands)
I have
a new partner. His name is 'NEKO.'
He is
a male Belgium, 2 years old. We have just started his training. He
will be a duel purpose dog, (narcotic and apprehension). J.S."
Neko
will not to take the place of Falco,
but
fill the void in John & his family's hearts.
A special
thank you to Deputy John Schoen, Miranda,
Alexus
and Skyler for their heart filled note sent to us.
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"LORD"
February 27, 2000
Partner: Cpl. Ken
Weed
Daphne
Police Dept. AL
1502
U.S. Highway 98 - Daphne Alabama 36526
Phone
(251) 621-9100 Fax (251) 621-2826
Ken
Weed - 621-3095, #209
Thank
you, Ken, for your e-mail. You will never know how much your words are
appreciated. 5/1/00 - Ken has a new partner, "Jago." @ work.
|
The
loss of Lord is a heavy and dark cloud surrounding those who knew him.
The tragic death that was caused by a ruthless driver, seen by a witness,
who swerved from one lane to another to hit him and leave the scene.
What kind of person would be so cruel to hit such a beautiful creature
and drive away? The loss of a family member is always painful when
it is unexpected and horrific such as this event. It is done. Now
is the time to think of all the sunshine and smiles that Lord spread to
all he had come into contact. He is one big dog with a broad smile
and lapping tongue that would light up children and adults hearts where
ever he was located. His stately appearance, his strong gait, his
sauntering style made for appealing sights of his presence. He had
charisma! Forever more. Memories: Long lasting memories of
a friend will never die until the last thought of him has perished with
the last brain wave. With us forever! Your friends of
the Daphne Police Department, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, the
Alabama State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other surrounding
law enforcement entities will miss Lord. It is with sympathy
that we grieve with Corporal Ken Weed and his family for the loss of their
family friend. It is with deep satisfaction that we will remember
Lord and his partner, Ken. from: The team.
|
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
"KODI"
March 4, 2000
LODD
Partner, Officer
Craig Pesko
Pontiac
Police K-9 Unit MI
Pontiac
Police Department
Chief
of Police Larry McNeary
110
E Pike St
Pontiac,
Michigan 48342
(810)857-7870.
Kodi's Statistics
Pontiac
Police K-9 Unit
Registered
Name:
Warrick
vom Frolich Haus
Handler:
Craig Pesko
Breed:
German Shepherd
Weight:
90 lb..
Sex:
Male
D.O.B.
August 24, 1997
K-9
Certified: Sept. 6, 1998
|
William
Archie - Detroit Freepress
Ryan
Terry and other officers give a
final
salute to Kodi at the pet cemetery in Taylor.
At Terry's
feet is his police dog, Jaeger.
Kodi will always
be missed
Kodi
is a full blooded German Shepherd. His commands are given in German. Kodi
is a Full Service Police Dog and was trained by his partner, Officer Pesko,
with the assistance of other officers. Kodi is trained in Drug Detection
and Evidence Detection. Kodi especially loves showing off his skills at
K-9 demos. Kodi's success has been possible due to the outstanding teamwork
shared by fellow officers.
|
|
Military
service honors police dog who died in line of duty
HUGH
McDIARMID JR. at 248-858-2292 FREE PRESS STAFF WRITE
I
will protect you with my last breath ...
Standing
before a small white casket, Steve Kulakowsky pushed the words past the
knot in his throat.There is no greater love than this, that I would lay
down my life for you ...His voice breaking, the Flat Rock police officer
rushed to finish his eulogy for Kodi, the Pontiac police dog who died in
the line of duty last week. Officers from dozens of metro Detroit police
departments stood rigidly at attention at a Taylor pet cemetery Tuesday
during a military funeral for Kodi. At the sides of many, canine officers
whined and fidgeted against taut leashes as Kulakowsky read from "Guardians
of the Night," a tribute to fallen police dogs by an unknown author.Together
we will experience a bond only others like us will understand ...Kodi's
owner and handler, Pontiac Police Officer Craig Pesko, wept behind dark
sunglasses as taps sounded a farewell.Later, Pesko quietly declined comment.
Other canine handlers said it's difficult to understand the bond between
police officers and their canine partners. "Craig has no kids," Kulakowsky
said. "The dog was what he had. I can't imagine what it's going to be like
for him to get back in the cruiser and not hear Kodi barking. "Kodi,
2 1/2, died Friday during surgery to repair spinal damage caused by a two
story fall the dog took during the search of a building in Pontiac Thursday
night. He had been on the force for about 18 months and assisted in tracking,
drug detection and searches. "His work was steady, always top-notch," said
Pontiac Police Sgt. Michael Story. The dog had apprehended car thieves
during manhunts, and uncovered drugs on several occasions. More than 130
police officers, police dogs and others attended the funeral, where Kodi
joined more than 20,000 animals buried at AAA Pet Services cemetery in
Taylor. The officers wore black bands around their badges, identical to
the badges and bands fastened to each police dog's collar. When our time
is done, you move on in the world. If we should meet again on another street,
I will gladly take up your fight.
Meet Craig & new
partner, "Indy"
'Indiana Jones'
March
19, 2001, Officer Pesko met his new partner, "Indy,"
a GSD.
"HE" is 6 weeks old, is mostly black with
a little
tan on his feet. March 20th, first day in training.
************
K-9 "Indy" all
grown up! Jan. 2001
Nov. 2002: I
wish you could see Indy in person, he is such an amazing and handsome devil...he
would make my Kodi very proud...besides he is quite the ladies man in this
community. People ask how he is doing or what he is up to more
than
they ask about me.
|
Go
to page 3 of K-9 memorials
|