 Memorials
to Fallen K-9s 2005 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
| In Loving Memory of K-9 NANUK (K-9 Nanuk Vom Wecklinger Weg) Sept. 28, 1997 ~ June 9, 2005  Partner: Officer Rich Garner Whitehall Police Dept. PA 3731 Lehigh St. Whitehall, PA 18052 610.437.3042, Ext. 113
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Born in
Germany, Kohuth said Nanuk was assigned to handler Garner, a 14 year
veteran on the township police force, and for the last five years, the
two were inseparable. Nanuk was highly trained and certified in
narcotics detection and patrol work, including tracking, apprehensions,
obedience, agility, crowd control and building searches. Assigned to special events and a regular at area schools, scout troops and other similar organizations. Nanuk loved children and would bring a smile to most anyone with his gentle demeanor and layfulness. Announcing the police department will immediately get a replacement bringing the police K9 unit back to its compliment of two. A new dog will be trained and could be with Garner sometime in September. Township police chaplain, Rev. Michael Bodnyk read a poem in tribute to nanuk. Kohurth presented Luke and Curtis Garner with police patches, thanking them for their efforts in coming to the ailing dog's aid. Nanuk was more than just a dutiful dog. He was a K-9 police force member who would have given his life for his partner, one who was dedicated to police work and to the preservation of peace. Canine officer recalled as loving work and play Memorial ceremony for dog set for Friday. Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - By JAMES S. YOUNG - The Express-Times ******** Responding to a burglary call, police canine officer Nanuk sniffed his way through the township for blocks. He was leading his handler, Officer Richard Garner, who wondered whether the dog was headed anywhere at all. But Nanuk knew the business end of his nose and successfully tracked the scent to where it ended a mile away, at a residence where juveniles were arrested, Garner said. The township police department lost this highly trained, widely loved member of its police force earlier this month. Nanuk, a 7-year-old German shepherd and 5-year member of the canine unit, died quietly June 9 at Garner's home, police Chief Theodore D. Kohuth said Tuesday. Nanuk and Garner, of Catasauqua, had just finished an overnight shift that ended at 7 a.m. Nanuk was known for regular appearances at schools, Boy Scout troops, demonstrations and events in and around the township. Children were especially enthralled with him. "He could certainly bring a smile to the face of an individual," Kohuth said. "While they are not humans (canines) are more or less part of the department." Friends and supporters are invited to attend an 11 a.m. Friday memorial ceremony for Nanuk in the Whitehall High School auditorium. Photos of officers' and community members' many experiences with Nanuk will be displayed in a collage there. Garner said his family, including children ages 6, 11, 12 and 25, has become attached to Nanuk since they got him five years ago. Garner described Nanuk as very motivated by play. "Even if we got together with some of the officers he'd always bring a toy up to them, wanting to play," Garner said. Nanuk was highly trained in narcotics detection and patrol work, including tracking, searching buildings, apprehension and crowd control. "We have to trust the dogs, even if they keep walking," Garner said. "I hope people realize how much of an asset they are." The department has one other canine, and Kohuth said he is working to fill Nanuk's place as soon as possible. He said the department usually deals with Kromerhaus Kennels in Bethlehem Township. "He enthusiastically carried out his duties," Kohuth said of Nanuk. "I would characterize him as being best remembered for being a loyal and faithful member of the department, with great versatility, able to adapt to any incident." notified by R. Garner article submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA |
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| In Loving Memory of K-9 JAKE # 942 June 11, 2005  Partner: Cpl. Officer Ray Giordano Glassboro Police Dept. 1 South Main St. Glassboro, NJ 08028  RIP Jake you've earned it! |
On Saturday afternoon
6/11/05, Corporal Ray Giordano and his family lost a faithful companion
who spent his off duty hours being a beloved family pet. K-9 Jake
#K942 was trained at the Philadelphia Police K-9 Academy in 1998 and
went on to play an integral role in keeping
the community safe. Jake was the ideal Police K-9
and a valuable asset to our department. He was the kind of
dog that other handler's, including myself, envied.
He loved the game of finding narcotics and, at times, seemed
like he could function entirely on his own. As a patrol dog,
he was gentle and social and was loved by
everyone. When the situation called for it, Jake could
be a criminal's worst nightmare! Like many other
Belgian Malinois, he'd disregard his own safety and
hit you with everything he had! Seconds later he'd be on his
belly wanting you to scratch him! He was a handler's dream
and "Gio" was extremely proud of his partner! We all were proud
of the two of them! On behalf of the
members of the Glassboro Police Department, we are all very sorry
for the Giordano family's loss and we grieve with them
because Jake was one of us. Having lost my own partner a
few months ago, I know what Ray is feeling and I remind him to
keep thinking about all the good things that the two of them
experienced together. It gets a little better every day!
Those memories belong to Ray and can never be taken away by
anyone!   submitted by Officer Dan Eliasen |
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| In Loving Memory
of K-9 HINA or HEENA December, 1997 ~ June 11, 2005  Handlers: Ajit Nigudkar & Ravindra Chakle Ghatkopar, India
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Hina, the police dog bows out By: A Mid Day Correspondent - June 12, 2005 Police sniffer dog Hina, who played a vital role in the recent bomb blasts (Ghatkopar, Mulund, Vile Parle, Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar), died at a veterinary hospital at Parel on early Saturday morning, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad said. The eight-year-old Labrador was admitted to the hospital on May 26 after she stopped eating. The doctors at the hospital initially suspected it to be a case of gastroenteritis but medical investigations later revealed kidney failure, the police said. After Zanjeer’s demise, Hina was regarded as the best police dog. She had two handlers, Ajit Nigudkar and Ravindra Chakle. Hina had also detected rocket launchers and other explosives recovered from the containers at the dock. Hina was cremated at 11 am at the same hospital grounds where Zanjeer was cremated five years ago. Hina was born on December 1997, and was inducted into the squad two months later. She was trained at the Dog Training Centre of the Criminal Investigation Department at Shivaji Nagar, Pune. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA |
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| In Loving Memory
of K-9 CISCO K9 Cisco Vom Licher-Berg June 10, 2005  Partner: Emory Griffith Lawrenceville Police Dept. 20 S Clayton St. Lawrenceville, GA 30045-5745 Ph: 770-339-2400
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Cisco's age and an injury to his leg
began to limit his abilities
but never his determination. He retired from active police work but still served as an ambassador to the police dog community. In August 2000, I was recommended for the Police Achievement Medal based on outstanding service to the Gwinnett K-9 Unit, to which I credit Cisco. After I took a position with Lawrenceville Police, Cisco continued to help educate countless members of our community about the value of a police dog. He gave thousands of puppy kisses to local children. He made regular appearances for civic and church groups. K-9 Cisco went on to help educate over 1000 psychology students at the Georgia Perimeter College in the various learning theories. He was proof that positive reinforcement from using a kind hand, food, or his prized toy 'kong' brought great training success. The dogs that followed in Cisco's footsteps greatly benefited from our experience together. He occasionally had his photo in the newspapers, almost always with children in his presence. Over the years, my wife Maura, our kids and I had a wonderful time with Cisco. He was family -- living in the house, vacationing with us, helping raise our children and protecting the family while I was at work. As he grew older, our public appearances started to decline. He was in his golden years and spent more and more time sleeping. In order to keep his spirits up, I took him out occasionally for practice tracks or to let him find decoys in buildings, but I noticed that he tired quickly and took a long time to recover. In 2003, K-9 Bojar was on sick leave so I called upon Cisco once again to work the streets. For a few shifts my old man rode shotgun and we loved every minute of it! On one night, an officer confronted two vandals who fled on foot. Within minutes I was on scene and had Cisco harnessed. He followed the scent of the two suspects that had fled, and that night my heart pounded as I once again had the pleasure of following behind Cisco as he located the bad guys. It would be Cisco's last call as a police dog, but he continued to entertain audiences of all ages at public demonstrations. In May of this year, Cisco's health started to decline. We had to help him up the stairs and catch him as he came down. Weeks later he needed help just to walk. In his last few days, he could not stand on his own. As I helped him outside, I saw, for the first time in my life, a look of fear in his piercing brown eyes. I knew it must be devastating for a dog who was once so strong, powerful, and fearless to now be scared. I had long ago made a promise to us both that I would never let him be scared. Cisco's time was coming to an end. On Friday, June 10th I contacted Officer Dave Russell and asked him to take us to the vet's office. I had the heart-breaking task of telling my kids that Cisco would not be coming home; that the vet was going to give him some medicine to help him sleep and when he woke up he would be in Heaven. It was only fitting that I put on my uniform along with a t-shirt with his name and the Gwinnett County logo on it. The trip was short and Cisco rested until we got into Lawrenceville. I helped him up and supported him as he looked out the window and watched the cars go past. Dave and I bothchuckled as he loudly barked at a person walking from his car. Sgt. Spanky Davis, Officers Rick and Denise Garner, and Officer John Surowiec met Dave and I as we got to the animal clinic. They were there with me as I held my dear partner in my arms as he took his last breath. With a kiss on the muzzle, a pat on the head and the words "I love you, Old Dog", my Cisco was off to Doggy Heaven. Thank you for the grand adventure Cisco. Until we meet again, may you always run fast, bite hard, and fear nothing. Officer Emory Griffith submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA UPDATE Ptl. E. Griffith # 097 Now working with K-9 Bojar |