Montgomery Township Officer Gerry Dougherty knew his partner wasn't himself when he noticed he wasn't standing up in the back of the patrol car like he usually did during their seven years patrolling the streets together. When he checked on Fox that Aug. 3 afternoon, Dougherty's fears became real. His partner, a German shepherd K-9 officer, was dead. "He passed away while on patrol," Dougherty said. "The vet thinks he had a tumor that burst. He didn't feel any pain, he just went to sleep."  The sudden and unexpected death of one of their own has saddened the ranks of the Montgomery Township Police. They have lost a colleague who was ready to work at the snap of the fingers. "With the heat, I was thinking Fox was 
a little slow that day, but there was an unexpected thing going on," Dougherty said. "He was absolutely my partner. When it's unexpected it's a shock, but he did his job the way he was supposed to." Dougherty has been a township officer for 18 years, 13 of them as a K-9 officer. Fox was his second partner. His first, Bandit, died in 2000 after six years of service with the department. Fox was donated to the department by Dr. Gregory Paul Bach and his wife Debra Lynn Bach, along with two K-9 bulletproof vests. "Fox was pretty popular in the community," Dougherty said. "He did a lot of K-9 demos and a lot of tracks and apprehensions over the years. He had a fantastic nose, and during the K-9 school we were at, he earned a tracking certification." It was Fox's temperament that will be missed the most. He had the ability to be docile and petted by grade school children one second and be ready to apprehend a felon and go to work the next second. "That's the incredible thing," Dougherty said. "Fox had such a great temperament. On one side he could be very gentle with a great disposition, and on the other hand, we could have him apprehend someone right away if we needed to." Lt. Mark Houghtaling, of Montgomery Township police, said Fox was one of the best dogs the department's ever had for public relations. "He was almost like a light switch: you could turn him on and off," he said. "He knew to be well behaved during a demo and when the job went down, Fox was all business. He's part of the family." Fox was simply a patrol dog, and not trained in narcotics or bomb detection. In his seven years on the force, he had his share of running with the big dogs. He was key in a successful tracking of a robbery suspect in Whitpain a couple of years ago. Fox located several items of clothing and evidence, including a bank note used during the robbery, which led to the prosecution of the suspect. There was an incident in New Britain where a subject broke into a gun safe and stole several guns. The subject threatened police and Fox was used to apprehend the subject and thereby prevent anyone from getting hurt. Fox also assisted recently in Lansdale with tracking a subject who was involved in the stabbing of a relative. He led police to where the suspect was living in order to be taken into custody. "One of the things you can't do is ever measure the level of deterrent that occurs because dogs are there," Dougherty said. "If someone fights with an officer, the dog is there to protect us. A dog can be trained to apprehend a person on command and release on command. Training is paramount in everything we do with the dogs."
The Bachs brought Fox from Germany. Debra Bach is an expert in Schutzen canine training, a sport where dogs
are trained in obedience, tracking and protection. The Bachs have donated dogs to FEMA and employed two dogs to help find the missing at the World Trade Center collapse. They also trained the dog that guards the Capitol in Harrisburg. The Bachs also work toward Lyme disease awareness, something Debra suffers from. It makes her unable to have children, so the Bachs see their dogs as their children. "Fox had an incredible career," Gregory Bach said. "We're lucky this police department is such a good department and very kind to enlist him." The Bachs honored Fox's memory with a small candlelight vigil. "It's like your child," he said. "We are so proud of him. A local joke on the force was Fox was the smartest policeman there." Gregory Bach said he was glad to see he and his wife's benevolence had benefited the community. "It was hard for us to give up one of our children," he said. "It's just like giving up your sons to war. The reason why this country is wonderful is because of the sacrifices to make this country great. Sometimes that means giving up your children, even the four legged ones, to protect and serve." Dougherty said he wouldn't have a problem going through it all again with a new partner. He finds it very rewarding to work with the dogs. Still, losing a partner is a difficult thing. "When it's sudden, that's the thing that affects you more," he said. "He did a great job for the public and for the department and he will definitely be missed. 
He wasn't just my dog; he was a community dog." 
The township K-9 unit, along with the U.S. Police Canine Association Region 6, 
will conduct the annual canine field trials Sept. 7 to 9 at Windlestrae Park. 
The event is open to the public Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

May 4, 2007: "Falco" passed away on Friday, May 4, 2007 in the presence of his handler, Greg Turney. "Falco" spent 7 years on the street with Greg Turney of the Leawood, Kansas Police Department. "Falco" was brought into the K-9 Unit in December 1999 and was partnered with Officer Turney. He performed 50 public demonstrations, made 465 narcotic searches, 89 tracks, 27 building searches, located 16 felony suspects, and located more than 100 pounds of hidden narcotics in two separates searches alone.  The Leawood Police Department's police canine unit was started in 1994 by Officer Greg Turney and his partner Zorro. The unit now includes two canine/handler teams.  Both are cross-trained and certified as patrol dogs, capable of tracking and - upon command - apprehending a fleeing suspect, and as narcotics odor detection dogs, able to sniff out illegal substances.
In 2006, the department welcomed Rocco and Duke. After they completed their initial training in April, 
the department’s K9 teams completed:
   * 93 narcotic searches
    * 28 suspect tracks  and area searches
    * 8 building searches
    * 3 article searches
    * 8 public demonstrations
Their work culminated in the arrest of more than 50 persons for illegal narcotic possession and they located 5 felony suspects on tracks. The two teams, who work four 10-hour days, averaged a call for K9 specialty assistance 2 of every 3 shifts.

K-9 FALCO  & now K-9 ROCCO
Rocco, a Belgian Malanois, is Officer Greg Turney's current partner. Rocco is the third canine that Officer Turney has handled, following Zorro , who was retired in 1999, and Falco, retired in 2006 after seven years of service.   submitted by Renee' Konias

Handler: Daryl Maretka 
Wharton County Constable's Office, Precinct Two
736 Clubside Drive/P.O. Box 780 
East Bernard, TX 77435  PH: 979-335-6210 
Foster and I were assigned to the Wharton County District Attorney's Narcotics Task Force. 
PH: 979-532-8051

1. Constable John Szymanski pays tribute to Foster at his memorial service. (:34)
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Jeanette Hall, a volunter for Citizens for Animal Protection, tells how she rescued Foster. (:50)
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Jack Richards, Foster's trainer, says that Foster will remain alive in everyone's memory. (:20)
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The Rev. Mickey Reynolds--who also is Wharton County Precinct 1 Commissioner--says the memorial service is appropriate. (:20)
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The law enforcement community on Friday laid to rest one of its K-9 officers, Foster, a chocolate Lab killed Monday when struck by an 18-wheeler after bolting from his partner's patrol unit during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 59.Foster's partner in fighting crime was Wharton County Precinct 2 Deputy Constable Daryl Maretka. He said losing Foster was like losing a human partner and that he was comforted by the service and burial at the Wharton Police Department's firing range. "A big piece of my heart has already been closed up," he said. "Foster is in a very nice place." K-9 Officer Eddie Pereira of Deer Park said he was attending because there also is a special bond among handlers. "Trying to put myself in Daryl's shoes, it would be like losing a child. So I can't image the agony he's been going through," he said. Randall Branecky, an investigator with the Victoria County Sheriff's Office and the Victoria Housing Authority, described the relationship that develops between a dog and its handler. "We're together 24/7," he said. "When I walk out of a room, he walks out with me. He wants to do everything I do. If I leave the house to go to the store, he jumps in the car and is going to want to go with me." The Rev. Mickey Reynolds hinted the dog might also enjoy an afterlife in his eulogy. "On the way here, I was thinking about if dogs go to heaven," the Wharton County Precinct 1 Commissioner said. "The Bible doesn't say anything about dogs, but if a dog is important to us in this life, I think there is a connection that will last for eternity." Paraphrasing Genesis, Reynolds added, "on the seventh day God rested - with his dog." The service was held at the Wharton Civic Center due to the rainy weather and damp grounds. 
Those speaking included Jeannette Hall, the person who rescued Foster, once thought to be an incorrigible pup, and Jack Richards, who trained the dog. Both said they knew right away there was something special about the dog that came close to being put down. Hall said that she crossed paths with the then unnamed chocolate Labrador as a volunteer at Citizens for Animal Protection on the day he was scheduled to die. She was told the dog was too wild to be placed, but she refused to accept that. "I went and got a leash and told everyone I'm taking him home," she said. "I said, 'Come on, Foster,' since I was just planning to foster him and that's where he got his name." A week and a half later she gave him to Richards who wanted to train him.
"Those 10 days were memorable," she said. "Yes, he was unruly, but he was also the leader of the pack. When I turned him over, I told Foster I knew he was destined for good." Told of the dog's high energy, Richards, a trainer with Privileged Pets in Katy, said that attitude was the most appealing thing about Foster. "The dog thought he was 10 feet tall and bullet-proof," he said. "He lived to play the game of criminal interdiction."
About 40 people turned out for the service, including representatives from a number of law enforcement agencies, friends of the family and others with a close connection to Foster. Among the departments represented were the Wharton County Precinct 2 Constable Office, Wharton County Sheriff's Office, Wharton County District Attorney's Office, the Department of Public Safety and the Wharton, El Campo, Victoria, Deer Park, Burton, Pearland, Tomball and Missouri City police departments. "I'm very happy with the show of support," Maretka said. "It was different than what I had in mind beforehand, but it is a great honor. I knew a lot of people that were here, but there were several I didn't know other than having maybe exchanged e-mails or phone calls."   submitted by Daryl and Jim Cortina

I met K-9 Franko in June 1997, after he emigrated from Czechoslovakia. Back then I was a deputy sheriff with the Lewis County Sheriff's Office in Washington State. For over 6 years we trained, worked, played and lived as a team, until he retired and spent his retirement in comfort with my wife, Sheila, our children and me. K-9 Franko was a truly dedicated working dog and he loved his job. His 95+ pounds served him well in the rugged terrain where we worked and against hostile suspects. He was courageous and never backed away from any duty, successfully tracking "bad guys" in the worst of conditions: swamps, mountains, snow, rivers & lakes and the thickest undergrowth Washington State has to offer. K-9 Franko trained with me on the S.E.R.T. team and proved to be a valuable asset there as well. As a team, we were awarded the Red Cross Real Heroes Award twice; once for successfully tracking a woman who slit her wrists and fled her rural residence; and again for tracking and apprehending a suspect who beat a man with a tire iron and then fled into a swamp. K-9 Franko loved people and demonstrations for kindergarteners and the elderly in nursing homes were happy 
times for us. It was truly amazing to see how courageous he was while apprehending a violent suspect; yet how loving and steady he was with the public. K-9 Franko assisted many different agencies and his tracking ability was well known in the area.  K-9 Franko passed away on June 20th, 2006 after battling a spleen tumor that caused internal bleeding. He was almost 11 years old. Sheila and I were blessed to have spent the last few minutes with him at home. We don't regret anything and are comforted that he knew he was home with family before he left. Even in his retirement he was our "child" and our protector. He was even more to me. Franko, you were my partner and my buddy. We had conversations where I did all the talking, but you were always there to listen and love me — regardless of what I said or how I said it. Our times together have given me life-long memories that only you and I share. I will miss you but I promise to keep you alive in my heart. I won't forget…Thank you to Adlerhorst International for our initial training, which held us in good stead. Thanks also to the Timberland Valley Dog Fanciers, who donated the money to purchase K-9 Franko. Thank you to Sergeant Fred Wetzel, who spent so many hours quarrying for me and then being my back-up on many successful tracks. And a special thank you to Sgt. Patrick Smith, my sergeant, my mentor and my good friend. Your teaching, guidance, "butt-chewing" and friendship were responsible for our success. I'm forever grateful.   submitted by: Renee' Konias

A two-year partnership between a West Lafayette police officer and his trusted canine ended Friday when the dog turned on his handler during a bank robbery investigation. Fonske, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois trained to track suspects and detect narcotics, was shot by the Tippecanoe County sheriff when the dog attacked Officer Jeff Dunscomb for no apparent reason. The pair responded to assist the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department after a knife-wielding man robbed Farmers State Bank in Battle Ground just after 5 p.m., sheriff's Maj. Tracy Brown said. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank at 104 S. Railroad St. "It's a very sad thing ... and we appreciate West Lafayette's effort to come out and help us," Sheriff Smokey Anderson said. "Nobody wants to destroy a dog, certainly a police dog. But on the other hand we don't want to have any officer getting hurt, including the handler." According to witness Phillip Brewer, Dunscomb was putting a harness on Fonske, near the dog's face, when the dog bit the officer Friday. The dog was calm until that point, he said. ""His hand was shaking around like a rag doll," Brewer said of Dunscomb. "Shook his whole body. His whole head was bobbling around like a rag doll. ... Drug him around to the other side of the car." Dunscomb was treated at St. Elizabeth Medical Center for injuries to both his hands and was later released, West Lafayette police Capt. Mike Francis said. Anderson said he was going to follow Dunscomb as they tracked the robbery suspect, which is customary when a suspect is armed. Both had arrived about the same time. As the sheriff was putting on his body armor and grabbing a rifle, he heard Dunscomb scream. At first, Anderson said he thought it was Dunscomb directing the dog. He then saw Fonske biting into Dunscomb's right hand as Dunscomb tried to shake off the dog, and Dunscomb hollered for him to shoot the dog, Anderson said. He said he fired several rounds at Fonske, allowing Dunscomb to back away. The fatal shot came as Fonske walked toward Anderson and Dunscomb. Both Brewer -- who offered police a blanket to cover Fonske's body -- and Anderson said that nothing appeared to have angered the dog before it attacked. "It was hard to see the dog get shot, but they did what they had to do," said Brewer, who works at C & C Cycle on Railroad Street, near the bank. Fonske lived with Dunscomb at his West Lafayette home. Last year, the pair went on more than 300 runs -- including homicides,
bank robberies and drug investigations, Dunscomb told the Journal & Courier in December. submitted by:  Jim Cortina