 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2004 page 15 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
http://www.wlecha.org/html/della.html
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In Loving Memory of Milwaukee
County House of Correction
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Canine Asko, of the Milwaukee County House of Correction, was originally trained in 1996 with Sergeant M. Wojtalewicz, which made for an easy transition when Canine Asko was later assigned to Officer C. Keen in September of 1998. On March 5th, while at Keen’s home, Asko was observed vomiting, defecating, and cowering in pain when approached. He was rushed to the vet and found to be severely dehydrated. Canine Asko was immediately placed on IVs and stabilized. On March 6th, 2003 Canine Asko’s vitals plunged and the difficult decision was made to lay him to rest. Asko’s favorite past time at home was playing with the family dog in the backyard where Officer Keen had constructed a 6’ high fence. During his career, Canine Asko had been in every dorm and inmate area within and outside the institution. Asko was involved in 200 disturbance calls and numerous C.E.R.T. calls. Asko also thwarted an escape attempt. Milwaukee County truly appreciated the service of Canine Asko. Even when he was in so much pain, he still thrived to do what he was trained to do: Serve and Protect the community. |
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| In Loving Memory
of K-9 CERKO October 23, 2003  Partner: Officer Ken Pabelick Milwaukee County House of Correction Wisconsin |
K-9 Cerko, a German Shepherd, was assigned to Officer Ken Pabelick in the spring of 1994. When acquired, Cerko did not even know how to bark as a young dog. It was noticed that he would do almost anything for his kong, so he was trained in narcotics, using his Kong as a reward. Throughout Cerko’s career, he responded to hundreds of fights and altercations. He has done narcotic searches in every nook and cranny of the House of Correction. Inmates were tested and 9 times out of 10 it would come back positive based on Cerko’s indications. In early August, 2003, Cerko was diagnosed with spleen cancer and had it removed. Biopsy results showed it was malignant. On October 22, 2003, while at recertification at Steinig Tal Kennels, Cerko assisted the Mayville Police Department in a narcotics search of the area high schools. Cerko had the drive to do it, but physically he could not. On October 23rd, 2003, the difficult decision was made to put Cerko to rest. The cancer had spread to his lungs and he was suffocating. Milwaukee County truly appreciated the service of K-9 Cerko. To the end, he did what he was trained to do: Serve and Protect the community. |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 REGGIE Sept. 16, 1991 - 2001  Partner Officer Jay A. Johnson Greenfield Police Dept. 5300 W. Layton Ave. Greenfield, WI 53220 414.761-5300 |
K-9 Reggie began his career with the Greenfield Police Department in 1993. He very quickly established himself as an excellent canine, successfully tracking suspects and evidence as well as receiving numerous awards at the Police and Fire Games. Tumors were found in August of 2001. Reggie is buried at the Greenfield Police Department. |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 ZEIKO June 2002  Partner: Sgt. Steve Klein Fond du Lac Police Department
126 N. Main Street
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
TEL (920) 929-3211
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Once at the hospital in Appleton, the bad news was relayed, cancer which had already spread throughout his system. Nothing could be done for him but they did not believe Zeiko was in any pain at the moment. A prognosis of 2 to 4 weeks was given during which I would monitor his quality of life. Normally Zeiko was an outside dog, but I brought him into the house to spend the remainder of his time in the house with his family. Zeiko seemed to be doing well, except for an occasional limp, and he continued to eat and drink normally, and even played sometimes. I was still hoping he would prove the doctors wrong. After letting Zeiko outside on the morning of May 23rd, I went to check on him. After calling him for several minutes, he came around the corner of the house crawling on his front 2 legs, completely dragging his back end on the ground. As soon as he saw me, he laid down. I let him rest a minute, thinking that the tumor was rubbing on the nerve as I was told it might by the doctor. I once again called Zeiko’s name and he tried with every ounce of energy to come to me. He collapsed to the ground and once again our eyes locked as they did that first time we had met. I knew at this time that my friend was telling me he could fight no longer. Within a half hour, all of the K-9 handlers in our unit showed up at my house. They honored Zeiko by turning on their squad car emergency lights while escorting us to the vet. With his last bit of strength, Zeiko stretched his head and neck up to try and look out the window. The vet gave Zeiko a couple of shots and soon thereafter Zeiko left us, with me holding his head in my arms, with family and friends by his side. The members of our K-9 Unit and I planned a memorial for Zeiko at our department. I would urge all departments to offer their K-9 officers the opportunity to have a memorial service. It was very therapeutic for me to have the chance to say goodbye to my partner and to see the outpouring of support from the other K-9 handlers throughout the state and the citizens we served. It doesn’t take much planning and something this simple goes a long way. Zeiko lived for 2 things. He lived to work and to please me, and he loved to play with kids. It was no secret that Zeiko loved to take a bite out of crime, literally. Every time he would catch someone and we would escort the bad guy back to our squad, Zeiko would actually get a big smile on his face that spread from ear to ear. Officers had to chase down a guy who had stolen a car and gotten into an accident. I responded and began to assist with subduing the subject as he was now fighting with officers. The suspect was swinging wildly and kicking. We tried pepper spray with no effect. The next thing I knew, here was this dog grabbing the guy by the leg. Zeiko knew we had our hands full with this guy, so had jumped through the divider into the front seat and out to the door to help us! Even with Zeiko hanging onto the suspect and having been pepper sprayed, the suspect still put up a fight but we were able to get him cuffed. Zeiko loved children and always tried to engage them in playing tug-of-war with him. Last week, the neighbor’s dog was out and jumping on some kids. Even with Zeiko as sick as he was, he ran over and cut in front of the other dog and growled as if to say, “don’t jump on the kids.” Zeiko’s love for children carried over to his work. He once tracked to a playground where a suicidal 13-year-old was found hiding in a tube slide. By finding her so quickly, she was able to get the emergency help she needed after taking several medications. Zeiko probably saved her life. I could go on for hours with stories of Zeiko, but by now I think the picture is clear of what Zeiko meant to me. Zeiko served the citizens of Fond du Lac with pride and dignity. He was always there when I needed him and never thought twice about having to put his life in jeopardy for me. I salute you Zeiko. Goodbye, my partner, my friend. |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 ANDOR (I) February 9, 1999  Partner: Mike Banaszynski Walworth County Drug enforcement Unit In Loving Memory of K-9 ANDOR (II) 2003  Partner: Brad Wentlandt Greenfield Police Dept. 5300 W. Layton Ave. Greenfield, WI 53220 414.761-5300 |
County’s first K-9 Deputy, Andor, a 12-year-old Dutch shepherd, died at home on February 9, 1999 from unknown causes. Andor was trained as part of the Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit and lived with his handler, Mike Banaszynski. Andor had worked with Banaszynski for 8 years, prior to retirement. Greenfield’s second K-9, Andor, a Belgian Malinois, also died in 2003 from injuries resulting from a fall due to an arthritic condition which had been plaguing him. Andor, assigned in 1992, retired in 1995 due to a hip injury and lived at home with his handler, Brad Wentlandt. Andor was the first Belgian Malinois assigned to the Greenfield Police Department K-9 Unit and led the way for subsequent Malinois K-9 units. |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 DELLA 2003  Partner: Darryl Drake Greenfield Police Dept. DEA Task Force - Milwaukee, WI Greenfield Police Dept. 5300 W. Layton Ave. Greenfield, WI 53220 414.761-5300 |
Greenfield’s first narcotics detection dog, K-9 Della, a chocolate Labrador retriever, also died in 2003. Della, assigned in 1992, retired in 2001 and lived at home with his handler, Darryl Drake. Della was the first canine assigned to the Greenfield Police Department K-9 Unit. Della and her handler were assigned to the DEA Task Force in Milwaukee for several years and were very successful. |
