memorial2001

Memorials to Fallen K-9s

2004 page 27
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
P.S. D. K-9 OLAF
1991 - 2004

Partner: Constable Jim Slater
Winnipeg, Canada
730 Pandora Ave. West
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R2C N1
phone: 204 986-3864

Regrettably, Olaf had to be put down. It was a very sad time for both me and my family. He had been a part of our life for 13.5 years. About 2 weeks before I had to take him in, he slowed down on his nightly walk for the first time since we have been a team. He gradually slowed, walking a shorter distance each night until, one day he just walked to the end of the driveway and lay down. With much prompting and physical effort, I was able to get him back on his feet. His eyes just said he was finished and could not go on anymore. I fed him that night, and brushed him, and sat with him for some time. Then I went into the house and figured he would die in his sleep. He didn't. I took him into the vet the next day. It was very difficult but there was no choice. I owe him everything and if not for him there would be no K9 Storm. He is missed by all.
Thank you for all that you do for working dogs.

Dedicated to the memory of Winnipeg Police Service Dog, Olaf, whose work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was the inspiration for the K9 Storm Tactical Body Armor. What began as the need to protect PSD Olaf in his dangerous ERT calls has grown into a company that is providing world class force protection equipment for working dogs in 11 countries. Olaf's natural police ability, his high level of training, his love of the chase, and his determination made him an excellent police dog and a well loved partner who will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

(by Mike McIntyer)
Winnipeg police Const. Jim Slater steps on the gas, rapidly increasing his speed in an Elmwood back lane to get a look at a suspicious vehicle ahead. In the back of the police van, his resting partner suddenly springs into action. Olaf, an 85 pound German shepherd begins pacing and panting. His tongue lolls from hs mouth, and he barks loudly while running in circles. The dog has gone through this routine enough to know it's a good news for him and bad news for anyone who thinks they can out run him. Nearly 250 people have learned this first hand, some more up close and personal than they may have liked. Slater and Olaf also bear a few battles scars of their 8 year partnership, which sadly is coming to an end. On Wednesday the respected dog will work their final shift to make way for a fresh new past on the police service's highly successful canine unit of which they are the longest serving members. Slater expects it to be an emotional farewell to a job he loves and a partner he admires. Olaf will continue to live with the Slatter's family as a 'pet.' I would trust this dog with my life. There's nothing we haven't been through together. I've never had to protect him. He's always protected me. Slater said during a recent ride along with the free Press. Slater isn't telling the complete truth. During the infamous Headingley Riot in 1995, he and Olaf were on the front liners of a joint Winnipeg police RCMP effort to restore order inside the burning jail. Olaf leading the way as always, stepped in a large pool of water into which a live wire had fallen after ripped from the ceiling. He just started screaming like crazy. He was being electrocuted. Slater said. (continue -->)

He rushed to his partner's aid exposing himself to the same electricity running through the dog. He had to dislodge Olaf's leg from the wire that entangled him before picking up the animal and throwing him to dry ground. Olaf was spooked but Slater made a decision that he views as the most pivotal of their career. He opted to continue searching the building rather than retreat for medical aid and recovery. My dog was covered with blood. I was covered with blood. My dog had been electrocuted. I had been electrocuted. I was mentally and physically exhausted by the horrors we saw, but if I would have taken him back to the car, the experience would have scarred him. He would have been afraid of searching buildings and his career would have been over. Instead their two year partnership lasted six more years, an admirable feat considering the expected career for a police dog is about five years. In Olaf's case, he is now approaching 10 years of age as many owners of large breed dogs will appreciate that often bring about medical problems such as arthritis. Slater, 39 and Olaf has defied the odds and is still healthy, but the police brass decided it was time for the pair to move on. Olaf to retirement and Slater to general patrol duties. Eight straight years is a tremendously long time. It's unheard of for a police dog ot las that long and it's not like I baby him, I work him. A few months ago, Slater and Olaf were led on an epic chase, the kind that seemed to define their partnership. A young man on a bicycle sped away after spotting Slater driving through Winnipeg's north end in his van wit Olaf in the back. He began dropping numbers items, later determined to be stolen. As he pedaled through a snowy field, Slater followed in his vehicle, then got out when the man crashed his bike and fell. The cyclist got up and began running. The chase lasted several kilometers over several 2 meter high fences and ended in a backyard. At least it appeared to have ended. The suspect began punching and kicking Olaf and managed to briefly escape before the dog resumed chase and caught him once again. This time, leaving a little more of an impression. Olaf thought one chase was fun, so two was just unbelievable for him. The pair have several other memorable moments. Several years ago they chased a nearly naked man who had jumped out of a second floor window to avoid arrest on a Canada wide warrant. The chase lasted several kilometers and took the tandem through Nukwa Golf Course and eventually, the Seine River which the man attempted to cross. He was finally arrested on dry land. On another occasion, Slater and Olaf were searching for several people who had been seen breaking into the former CPR building on Higgins Ave. As they worked their way through the darkened basement filled with hazards because it was being renovated, Olaf suddenly took off up the stairs. Seconds later, Slater heard a flurry of foot steps followed by a loud BOOM. I thought he had been shot. Instead Olaf had boxed one of the culprits into a room. The loud noise was the man's so called friends slamming a huge style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">oak door on his head as they tried to get away. Literally throwing him to the dogs. Slater will be reassigned to general patrol duties in District 4 and expects the transition back to a human partner to be difficult. As soon as you learn to trust your dog, it's the most rewarding line of work. This is going to be a big change, I just hope I don't tell my new partner to heel. Slater said the hardest part will be leaving Olaf at home when he goes to work. The thing is I cannot tell him he's retiring. He's going to think we're on our days off and then expect to go back to work. It's a sad time,. To ease him into a more relaxed lifestyle. Slater plans to include Olaf in more social events with his wife and 2 children. Olaf will still live outdoors and strangers will still be kept at a distance, but Slater expects his partner to make a good pet. He has his way of life and it's a lot to ask him at 10 years old. I am going to have to change his focus. Fortunately Olaf will still get the occasional sniff of police work, thanks to Slitter's booming side business. He is the inventor of the innovative bullet proof dog vest called K-9 Storm which is just a few years and has racked up sales in five countries, 40 U.S. states and 6 provinces. Police departments have bought into the idea of protecting their canine companions and Slater and Olaf have traveled the globe promoting and demonstrating the product. Slater also hopes to one day help train police dogs and will still give public talks about police canine work and the adventures he has shared with Olaf. Wherever his police career take him. He is leaving a piece of his heart behind in the canine unit. It took a long time to come to grips with this, because I am leaving something that I really love. But I've always thought that I didn't want to be somebody who didn't know when it was time to move on. But, I can't complain, I am very happy with what we've accomplished. We've had a really good run together. It's been a hell of a good career.

In Loving Memory of
K-9 REX O'Donohue
2002 — August 30, 2004

Partner: P. O. John O'Donohue
New Jersey Transit Police Department
K-9 Unit - 703 Ferry St. Bldg. #1 - Newark, NJ 07105
Veternarian Medical Assistance Team #1
worked on REX
Photo by: Michael Rosenthal - NJ TRANSIT

<>Died in the line of duty during the
Republican National Convention.
K-9 Rex was a handsome German Shepherd who graduated from K-9 Scent Class, Explosives Detection, on July 30, 2004. Rex was a member of The New Jersey Transit Police K-9 Unit. He was an excellent police dog and will be missed.
*************

It was nice to hear from you. I've been so busy. I have another dog now. His name is J.J. He's great. I got him in October, and completed training in January. So we have been patrolling for a few months now. He's almost twice as big as Rex was. I'll reach out and send you a pic when I get a chance...Talk to you soon.

John
NJ9C1@aol.com

submitted by John Gillespie

In Loving Memory of
K-9 SARI
July 26, 2004

Partner: Jim Fitch
Ross Township Police Department
1000 Ross Municipal Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-2725
412 931.9070

Jim's website

I am a Police Officer with the Ross Township Police Department which borders the north side of Pittsburgh. I was assigned in August 1995 to the K-9 Unit as a Canine Handler. My partner was "Sari", a black and tan male German Shepherd Dog imported from Slovakia. We were dual trained in Patrol work and Narcotics Detection. Sari retired in June 16, 2003 and spent his final months relaxing at our home.

With great sorrow on my part, I lost K-9 Sari on July 26, 2004.
Sari died from Degenerative Myelopathy which is common in Shepherds
and which has no cure. The spinal cord degenerates from the tail forward. Sari had worked for 7 years and 10 months doing patrol and narcotics detection. He had retired in June 2003 and enjoyed the final months of his life at home with his companions, Storm, a female German Shepherd Dog, and two Maine Coon cats, Shelby and Toby. We all miss Sari, he was a great dog and the best partner I've had.
Please keep all of the emergency service workers
and military in your thoughts and prayers!
Take good care, Jim
UPDATE
I have 2 GSD's now, Storm is my female and I jsut got Jack, who is an all white maile, a couple of weeks after Sari died. I wanted Storm to have a companion. Jack is a fun dog, he's a very happy guy. They are not doing police work now.

In Loving Memory of
K-9 ENNO
February 12, 2004

Partner: Officer William Barrett
Ross Township Police Department
1000 Ross Municipal Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-2725
412 931.9070

In March 1999, Officer Barrett requested to be relieved of his K-9 duties. K-9 Enno was allowed to retire early due to the police dog teams are available to assist police departments in other jurisdictions when needed.

Retired Ross Police Department K9 Enno passed away in his sleep today at the age of ten. K9 Enno served the Ross Police Department from 1995 to 1999 as one of the Department's first Patrol/Narcotics K9's. Enno will be sadly missed by his family and the Officers of the Ross Police Department.

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