 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2004 page 26 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
( Late entry ) In Loving Memory of K-9 MICK Wednesday November 2003  Partner: Capt. John Best Essex County Sheriff's Dept. 802 676 3500 St. Johnsbury, VT
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She showed, by getting involved, you can make changes." Jordan's mom, Laurna Noyes, said Mick's death was very hard on her daughter. Normally, she said, Jordan, with fiery red hair and a sparkling smile, is not very emotional, but hearing the news was devastating for her. The news came in the wake of Essex County Deputy Ruby Rainault's death late last month. She died in a car crash while on duty. Rainault was a close friend of the Noyes family. Jordan's father, Jeff Noyes, is a deputy with Essex County. "Mick was an awesome dog," Jordan said, describing the pad-footed patroller as a good friend. Besides being a loving companion, Mick was a hard-working officer who took part in $1.2 million worth of drug seizures. Mick also provided his bi-pedal partner, Perry, some serious backup. One wintry night, Perry said, while scouting out a drug smuggling trail, two smugglers, their footsteps muffled by snow, almost snuck up on him but his canine companion's powerful sniffer and sensitive ears caught wind of their approach. Mick barked a warning and got between Perry and the potentially dangerous smugglers. Responding to commands, Mick kept the pair at bay while Perry got things under control. With wet, red eyes and a noticeable lump in his throat, Perry, a 27 year veteran of the Border Patrol, said, "He was one in a million. It's hard for me to put into words what he meant to me." Perry said Mick was a driving force for keeping his spirits up on the job. Together for over 31/2 years, the two spent all hours together - on and off the job. Together, they were slated to retire some time next year but, Perry said, now, with the loss of his partner, he's not sure if he will have motivation enough to last until his scheduled retirement. Leahy said the dog's death is sad and acknowledged it is a hard thing to deal with, but, he said, it should be looked at in a positive light. Citing it as a strong step in getting armor on K-9 units across the nation, he said a lot of good has come out of Mick's life. Sheriff Amos Colby said K-9 units are very important to any law enforcement and he hopes someday every branch will have one. Colby helped with some of the fund raising and ordering the vests, but, he said, Jordan ran the show. Jordan and Perry agreed that Mick's vest, fitted for Mick, didn't belong with any other dog; however, they may have found a home for the armor. Because of Jordan's efforts and Mick's fame among canine handlers across the nation, the original vest is planned to be sent to the U.S. Border Patrol museum in El Paso, Texas, Perry said. Currently efforts are being made by Jordan to continue fund raising to get border patrol dogs, along both international borders, in protective gear. Jordan, with the help of her mother, has established a fund called "Mick's Fund." Donations can now either be sent to Jordan or to Mick's Fund First Colebrook Bank 147 Main St. Colebrook, NH 03576 Perry said it is "a pretty neat legacy. To think that dog and Jordan might end up raising money for vests for dogs for years to come." Mick was 6 1/2 years old. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA |
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Loving Memory of K-9 KAY B154 August 22, 2004  Partner: T.Sgt. Rick Brunet 380ESFS USAF IRAQ - Afghanistan Lackland Air Force Base, TX formerly from Danvers, MA Rick can be seen on the beginning pages of my book "Heroes All Without Question" with his partner, Kay. He was looking forward to having Kay live with his wife & family. |
T.SGT.
Rick Brunet (Kennel Master) from Danvers, MA lost his 5 year old K-9
Kay. Kay was presently training with another handler when this illness came about. T.SGT. Brunet had his name in to adopt Kay when released from duty. *********** From Rick..... I wanted to let you know that My dog I had in the pictures with me in the desert died last week. He had to go in for emergency surgery on his spline and he didn't recover. The woman handler that was working him was going to the same place I was and now she can't go. Present handler is very upset over this. More information to come. Waiting to hear more details of this sad, unexpected tragedy.   |
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In Loving Memory of K-9 WILL July 21, 2004  Partner: Lt. Jessie Smith Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit 225 Pine Ave. Albany, Georgia 31701 229-430-5150 Unfortunately I would like to add one of our dogs passing to your list. On July 21, 2004, K-9 "Will" after 4 1/2 years service to Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit, Albany, Georgia. Handler Lt. Jessie Smith. Died from Heat Stress. Thanks, Major Bill Berry
A five-person advisory board sets policies for the unit's activities, which are administered through the unit's Commander, who is appointed by the board. The primary function of this unit is the reduction of illegal narcotics being brought into the community, reduce the number of drug dealers and the demand for their product, as well as drug-related crimes through the collection of intelligence, surveillance, seizures, arrest and interaction with other related agencies. The Drug Unit is jointly funded by the City of Albany and Dougherty County. Commander: Maj. Bill Berry |
Police dog succumbs to heat after being left in a vehicle A drug unit dog dies of heat exhaustion after his handler accidentally leaves him inside a car. ELSBETH WILLEY ALBANY – The death of Will, a drug-sniffing canine, appears to be the result of a tragic mistake by his handler, said Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit Commander Bill Berry. Temperatures outside reached the lower 90s on July 21 when Will's handler, Lt. Jessie Smith, forgot the highly trained dog in a car parked outside the drug unit office on Pine Avenue, Berry said. "At this point, it truly appears to be a terrible accident," Berry said. Heat exhaustion is a common problem among dogs during the summer months, and Albany veterinarian Sonny Odom said his office treats several cases every year. A dog's average body temperature ranges between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees, Odom said. A temperature over 103 degrees is abnormal. At 109 degrees, a dog's brain begins to cook, said the veterinarian with Dockery, Williams, Odom & Deriso Veterinarians on Magnolia Street. "If there is any doubt whether it's too hot (to leave a dog in a car), it probably is," Odom said, explaining how rapidly dogs can become overheated. Smith was paired with Will the K-9 for most of the four years the Belgian Malinois was with the drug unit, Berry said. The two lived and worked together, and Smith is distraught over the loss of his partner, his commander said. "He takes him home; he takes him to the vet," Berry said. "When he's off (duty), the dog's off (duty); when he's on duty, the dog's on duty." The Drug Unit has one other drug sniffing dog, and the unit is planning on looking around Georgia to find another. The trained dogs usually cost about $4,500, Berry said. Berry said dogs used for police work such as sniffing out bombs and drugs are trained all around the country. Will was bought from trainers in Texas. "Replacing Will is not something that happens overnight," Berry said, explaining that the unit hopes to pick out their next dog personally. Odom said dogs with long, bushy coats — such as German shepherds and chows, and dogs with short noses, such as pugs and bull dogs, are at the greatest risk for heat exhaustion. Very young and very old dogs are also more susceptible. If a dog begins to suffer from heat exhaustion, Odom recommends giving the dog cool water and putting rubbing alcohol between the toe pads on the dog's paws and on the dog's "armpits." This prevents the dog from being cooled down too quickly, which can result in hypothermia. The dog should also be rushed to the nearest veterinarian, Odom said. UPDATE: Albany gov’t, police to decide fate of drug dog’s handler By Elsbeth Willey ALBANY — An investigation into the death of Will, a drug-sniffing dog, has stalled pending the return to work of District Attorney Ken Hodges, who is recuperating after an Aug. 10 car accident. Albany-Dougherty Unit Policy Review Board members, Dougherty County Police Chief Don Cheek, Albany Police Chief Bobby Johnson, Albany City Attorney Nathan Davis and Board Chairman Dougherty County Sheriff Jamil Saba are waiting to render a decision on the liability and possible punishment of the dog’s handler until District Attorney Hodges can return to his seat on the board, Cheek said. “Dogs are used in a variety of different ways, and unfortunately there is always potential for an accident to occur,” Cheek said. “We want to make sure we investigate completely.” Will died of heat exhaustion July 21 when his handler, Lt. Jessie Smith, left the drug dog in his car, parked outside the Drug Unit office on Pine Avenue. Because an incident like the drug dog’s death has never been dealt with before, the chief said the board has met with Donna Strickland, executive director of the Albany Humane Society, and has also spoken with other animal rights groups and experts about state and local animal cruelty laws. “There’s not been a board determination on where this is going to go,” Cheek said. “It’s one of those things that is not an overnight issue.” The chief said the board will make a decision with the information gathered during the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit’s investigation and information from the animal rights experts, once Hodges is able to return to work. Hodges and Chief Assistant District Attorney Greg Edwards were injured last week when Hodges’ Ford Explorer hydroplaned on Interstate 75, sending his SUV across a median and into the path of a tractor-trailer. They are both recovering at home. No date has been set for Hodges’ return to work. |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 CLINT August 15, 2004  Partner: Office Will Strunk Bardstown Police Dept. 220 N. Fifth St. Bardstown, KY 40004 502.348.3211 |
Officer Will Strunk and K9 Clint
of the Bardstown Police Department 220 N Fifth St Bardstown, Ky 40004. (502)348-3211. K9 Clint Killed August 15,2004. submitted by Jerry Nevitt
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| In Loving
Memory of K-9 KAHN August 25, 2004  Partners: Officer Teddy Parks and formerly Officer Brad Harris Jefferson County Police Dept. KY
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Khan began service
with the Jefferson County Police Department in 1996. He was
partnered with Ofc. Brad Harris. I began handling him in Sept.
2000. He was initially purchased as a single purpose patrol dog
and had achieved knpv 3 status in Holland before coming to America to
be a cop. I understand this title is exceedingly difficult to
achieve. I know that he had three street apprehensions (bites)
during his patrol years. I was the rookie of our partnership, and
I was gratified that at least one of us knew what we were doing.
There were many times I felt as if he were saying "just hang on, I got
this..." I had numerous apprehensions with him as well that didn't
involve use of force. Despite beingpurchased just for patrol work, a move
was made within the department to have all dogs cross trained for
detection work. At the ripe old age of about 8, he was trained by
me for narcotics detection. We had a street find best of 2 pounds
of methamphetamine concealed in a truck bed while he worked as a dual
purpose dog. He tired of working the streets late in 2001 and
retired to be just a dog. It took a little TLC to convert the
hardened old cop to being a house dog, but my wife and kids wereup to the task. There were lots
of treats and free tennis balls in retirement. The sense of
security he provided while I was at work with my new dog was
immeasurable. My wife and kids always felt protected while he was
in the house with them. Khan made it quite clear to strangers
that came around while I was gone that they were not welcome. I
hope that I took as good care of him as he did me. Teddy Dogs Don't Have Souls, Do They? by Chuck Wells, Palmyra, NY I remember bringing you home.
You were so small and cuddly with our tiny paws and soft
fur. You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears
flopping. Once
in awhile, you'd let out a little yelp, just to let me know this was
your territory. Making a mess of the house, chewing on everything
in sight because a
passion, and when I scolded you, you just put our head down and look
up at me with those innocent eyes, as if to say, "I'm sorry, but I'll
do
it again as soon as you're not watching." As you got older, you
protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who
walked by. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting
for me with our
tail wagging just to say, "Welcome home. I missed you." You never
had
a bad day, and I could always count on you to be there for me.
When I sat down to read the paper and watched TV, you would hop on my
lap looking for attention. You never asked for anything
more than to have me pat your head
so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg. As
you got older, you moved around more slowly. Then, on day, old age
finally took its toll and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs
anymore. I kneeled down and patted you lying there, trying to make you
young again. You just looked up at me as if to say you were old and
tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you
had to ask me for one last favor. With tears in my eyes, I drove
you one last time to the vet. One last time, you were lying next to
me. For some strange reason, you were able to stand up in the
animal hospital; perhaps it was your sense of
pride. As the vet led you away you stopped for an instant, turned
your head, and looked at me as if to say, "Thank you for taking care of
me." I thought, "NO, thank you for taking care of ME."
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY POLICE DEPT. NO LONGER EXISTS. IT IS NOW THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE BECAUSE LOUISVILLE CITY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY MERGED IN JAN 03. submitted by Dusty Simon |
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