 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2004 page 17 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
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In
Loving Memory of
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Louie was tragically killed by a car old. submitted by: Joanne Reitz |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 JENNER June 8, 2004 K9 Jenner worked at WTC 9/11/01  Partner: Ann Wichmann FEMA + Ranger Service Dog for City of Boulder, CO Front Range Rescue Dogs & Colorado Task Force 1 address: c/o W. Metro Fire Department 447 S. Allison Parkway Lakewood, CO 80226
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Jenner by the Sea, handled by Ann Wichmann, Front Range Rescue Dogs, FEMA Colorado Task Force 1, City of Boulder Mountain Parks Ranger Service Dog. Jenner came from the Ornbaun Kennels in CA, and as a puppy, was desperate to be good. He was not always successful, but he tried very hard, and we had lots of fun, especially after I got used to his energy. Jenner was qualified as an operational air-scent search dog with Front Range Rescue Dogs at the age of two. At the same time, in a parallel training mode, we were working on certification as a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster dog. We achieved the Type II (Basic) standard in October of 1994, and Jenner was one of the early dogs in the country to achieve the Type I (Advanced) certification in August of 1995. He, with his friend Cayman, was one of the founding dogs of Colorado Task Force 1. Jenner continued both wilderness and disaster work for most of his life. Jenner also became an important “trainer” for new handlers, humbling many who thought they could hold onto that toy! Early in his life, Jenner passed his
Canine Good
Citizenship (CGC) test,
and also was
certified as a Ranger Service Dog
with the City of Boulder
Mountain Parks. Jenner patrolled with his
park ranger/handler regularly, helped present innumerable education
programs throughout his life, and was the star of a video aimed at
teaching dog control in the Mountain Parks. He was a natural
showman,
and gave many demonstrations locally and nationally on the skills of a
disaster and wilderness dog. Jenner demonstrated wilderness and
water
search at the International Rescue Dog Symposium in Boulder in 1995,
and appeared in a National Geographic program on search andrescue
disaster dogs.
Jenner’s
search career was compromised by his handler’s
broken ankle and failing knees…. Nonetheless, he made several finds in
both his wilderness and disaster work. Most noteworthy of these
is his
location of an elderly woman who had been lost 3 days in the Holy Cross
Wilderness, and his find of a worker who had been killed in an
explosion in the Great Western Sugar Plant in Scottsbluff, NE. Jenner experienced an amazing survival situation when he was swept into a large culvert while searching the Ft. Collins Flood in 1997, and was transported 1500 feet in an underground floodwater system. He showed great strength and a tremendous will to live, and emerged alive. Jenner’s favorite activity was retrieving, and he achieved his Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) title with four straight passes at the age of eight, when his handler finally decided to let him pursue this activity. Jenner had a lot of attributes: excellent hips, great lineage, endless play drive, great temperament, and immeasurable courage. With these qualities, the decision was made to breed Jenner. At the current time, Jenner has 11 FEMA certified pups (and one grand-pup), as well as additional wilderness and retriever titled pups and grand-pups. Hopefully, his genes and spirit will enhance both search and retrieving lines for years to come. Jenner had his 9th birthday on deployment in New York City, and his vast experience in searching, his great agility, and his courage and determination really came through at this most difficult of searches. Like many of the search dogs, Jenner worked a double duty at the WTC, locating the victims of the disaster, and providing incredible solace and grief therapy to the workers. Jenner had a presence and a quiet, open welcome that invited strangers to hug him and talk to him, and the most incredible eyes that totally engaged people in communication. Together, we presented programs to share our experience and our grief, always amazed and healed by the love and concern expressed by the people who came to hear. In July of 2002, after collapsing on the trail on one of our favorite walks, Jenner was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and a weakened heart. His chemo-therapy was miraculous, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the fine veterinarians who allowed him to have a high quality of life. After struggling for a year with priorities, in June of 2003 I retired from my 28 year career as a Park Ranger/Manager for the City of Boulder, with much of the incentive being to spend more time with Jenner. We traveled from ocean to ocean, played and retrieved, and went on long walks and swims in his beloved Colorado haunts. On June 4th of 2004, Jenner had a great time on a three mile hike and creek splash, retrieving logs, and wasn’t even stiff coming home. The next day he was fine, but on Sunday he didn’t want to get up. We spent two days trying to figure out a diagnosis, control the pain, and make things somehow work again. In the end, he was strong, dignified, courageous and totally present…… except that his spine had dissolved from the multiple myeloma. We both knew he had to go. I am so grateful for his lifetime with me, and that we had the chance to reminisce together about all our experiences, and that he died peacefully with his head in my hands. So many are not so lucky. Jenner was a gentleman, an inspiration, and a hero. He was friend, teacher, search dog, service dog, eager retriever – all at a whispered request - full of joy and love for life. He was a working partner and a dear friend, and I will always miss him. |
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| InLoving Memory of K-9 KIMBO June 12, 2004  Partner: Officer Jeff Sams Floyd County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Randy D. Hubbard 311 W. 1st St # 151 New Albany, IN 47150 (812)948-5400
Kimbo joined the
Floyd County police in
1999 and was involved in more than 300 searches.  Capt. Rick Denny, right, of the New Albany Police Dept. spoke during yesterday's service for Kimbo.  Christine Sams held on to her daughter Calie Grace Sams, 3, as her husband, Floyd County Officer Scott Sams, got emotional during a memorial service for his canine partner Kimbo yesterday. The doll on Christine Sams' lap is named Kimmy after Kimbo. PHOTOS BY SAM UPSHAW JR., THE COURIER-JOURNAL |
Missing
IN K9 Hero Found Shot to Death New Albany, Indiana - 6/17/2004 WAVE-TV, Louisville Floyd County Sheriff Randy Hubbard reported Wednesday that the department's only canine has been found dead. Kimbo had been missing since Saturday, June 12th, when he apparently became frightened in a storm and escaped from his kennel. An exhaustive search was conducted without finding the dog. Sheriff Hubbard said the department received information Tuesday night that the dog was last seen near Hopewell Road in western Floyd County and had possibly been shot. Officer Jeff Sams searched the area and found Kimbo dead of gunshot wounds. An investigation found that Kimbo had sought refuge from storms Saturday morning in a garage off Hopewell Road. The resident came home and found Kimbo in the garage, and the dog and the resident were both startled. The resident tried to remove Kimbo from the garage and the dog reportedly became aggressive. The resident shot the dog as it was fleeing from the property. Kimbo was born in 1995 and came to the Floyd County Police Department in 1999. Since joining the department, Kimbo has been responsible for over 300 searches that have netted over $500,000 in cash, $1 million in in illegal drugs and over 100 arrests. Kimbo has been cremated, and a service is planned for Friday, June 18th, at noon in front of the City-County Building in New Albany. For further information, please contact Chief Frank Loop at 894-2941. both articles were submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA Please go to the URL below for photo of K9 Kimbo's memorial service. http://www.heroesonpaws.org/pages/6/index.htm Floyd canine officer mourned Kimbo shot after fleeing during storm By JENNIFER FRAZER jfrazer@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal
"We know Kimbo would have
laid down his life for any one of us — or anyone, if we'd asked him
to," said officer Steve Bush of the New Albany Police Department during
the opening prayer.
"There's no adjective that could describe him," said Kimbo's handler, Scott Sams of the Floyd County Police Department. "You could say he meant the world, but he was way more than that." Kimbo, a 9-year-old Belgian malinois police dog for the Floyd County department, was killed June 12. Violent storms that night frightened him, and he escaped from his kennel. Four days later, Kimbo was found dead of gunshot wounds. He had sought refuge from the storm in a garage and reportedly acted aggressively when the homeowner returned that night. When the homeowner fired a gun, Kimbo fled, but he was shot as he was running away.Police have not identified the homeowner, and they say no charges will be filed. Yesterday's service —
which was done at no public expense, according to Sheriff Randy Hubbard
— opened with a prayer and featured poetry readings and eulogies by
members of the New Albany and Floyd County police departments. Officers
remembered Kimbo's hard work and loyalty, but there were moments of
levity as well.
Floyd County officer Troy McDaniel said, "I can tell Scott this now — after he (Kimbo) would find some dope, I was giving him treats, even though I wasn't supposed to." But soon it was time to say goodbye. A voice crackled to life on the radio and announced the dates Kimbo entered and left the service. And then: "Kimbo, this is your last call. Godspeed." Jennifer Spainhour of Floyd Central High School then played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. A table at the front of the gathering was arrayed with remembrances of Kimbo's life and gifts from mourners. A wicker basket filled with red carnations, white daisies and blue larkspur sat behind framed photographs of Kimbo. More photos were spread on the table, along with a worn leather leash and a black chew toy. The pictures showed Kimbo on the job, in training, on his back playing and holding a bright red toy in the snow. "It's just a terrible loss for all of us," said Joyce Banet, matron of the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. She said that the bad weather lately has been really hard on dogs. "Kimbo was Scott's partner and he was a dear friend, I would say," she said. "I never saw him act aggressive. The people (who shot him) wouldn't have known that."Banet said there has been an outpouring of offers of help and sympathy from as far away as Ohio and Indianapolis. Several people have called to offer dogs to replace Kimbo. But because Kimbo was specially trained, the department had to decline. "I wish we could take all the dogs they offered, but we can't," she said. "We'll miss him. We appreciate everyone's concern and sympathy."Anyone who finds a stray dog in Floyd County, Banet said, should call 948-5400. The police dispatcher can contact the animal warden, who will remove the animal. "That way, maybe someone else won't have to suffer this," she said. Dale Cottongim, a K9 officer for the Louisville Metro Police Department, said he came to the service to support Sams, even though he did not know him. "We know he's going through a hard time," Cottongim said. "Lots of people think of these as just dogs. They're more than that. There's a real special bond between an officer and his dog."Kimbo was trained in the detection of cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana and heroin. He also was trained in tracking and physical apprehension. Kimbo joined the department in 1999 and was involved in more than 300 searches. His work brought in more than $500,000 in cash and $1 million in illegal drugs, and resulted in more than 100 arrests. Sams had worked with Kimbo for five years, and Kimbo was to retire at the end of the summer. Sams, who will become a school resource officer at Floyd Central High School, said the department was already looking for another dog before Kimbo was killed. Sams said he wanted to extend his gratitude to the community for their help in trying to locate Kimbo, and to those who've expressed sympathy. Asked if he had any special memories of Kimbo, Sams said, "Every day was a special memory." |
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| late entry In Loving Memory of K-9 ALF March 3, 2003  Partner: Deputy Bob Rinfrette Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit 301 Court Street Little Valley, NY 14755-1090 716-938-9191 - 1-800-443-3403 (New York State Only) |
2003 was not a good year for Bob,
Deputy Rinfrette. On Feb 15 we took our 12 year old K-9 Alf to
the vet, because his stomach was just growing. He was
diagnosed with a tumor on his spleen. On the 24th, we took Alf for a second opinion just to be told to take him home and make him comfortable. On March 3 at 4:30 PM, Alf was put to sleep. That was just 5 weeks and 3 days after the accident that took Bryson from us. Alf was trained as a bomb detection K-9 and tracking. Alf was an excellent tracker, finding many suspects, and also once a suicide victim. As for bombs, Alf was called many times to schools for searches and also was used at Chautauqua Institute to do bomb sweeps for President Clinton, and to Alfred University for Mrs. Clinton. At the time of his death, Alf was retired and liked to stay home. 3 more k-9's were sadly lost before these 2, Bryson & Alf, K-9s Brutus, Buck and Luke. All 3 of these handlers & K9s worked with Deputy Rinfrette until retirement and/or medical problems kept them from working. Brutus was Bob's first dog, he
was put to sleep in 1991. Brutus
Vickispecialized in narcotics and tracking. He was also featured in a episode of "Unsolved Mysteries" with Bob. They still play it every now and then. He suffered from degenerative myelopathy. Buck was put to sleep in november 1999 just around thanksgiving. a few months before that he recovered from a stroke remarkably. Buck was used for tracking and patroland demonstrations. Luke was put down on 1-12-2002. luke was used for narcotics and cadaver detection. He lost one leg due to getting hit by a car 8 years before. |