Anthony Giaquinta, 41, was found shot to death on 2/22/15. Anthony Giaquinta 16-year-old daughter called police from a nearby store at approximately 7:30 p.m. saying her father was attacking her mother and gunshots were being fired. Her 18-year-old sister was away at college. She told 911 operators that she escaped from the home. As the sheriff officials drove to the residence responding to the domestic call in Clarkesville, Georgia, they saw a Ford Crown Victoria approaching them. The Crown Victoria turned into a yard and spun out. Anthony Giaquinta, got out of the vehicle then doubling back to the house. When Sheriff Joey Terrell and Deputy Bill Zigan entered the garage they found Kathy Smith Giaquinta dead. Terrell knew Giaquinta because he terminated him in 2013 after a domestic violence investigation. The case, however, was not prosecuted, so Giaquinta still had “many guns,” Andrews said. Guns are often confiscated after a domestic violence conviction. Terrell posted Zigan outside to watch for Giaquinta while he and the other deputy searched the house. But Giaquinta, a former police dog trainer and handler, hid in some trees and shot his two former colleagues. Zigan was shot with a 9mm Glock pistol, fracturing his collarbone and gouging his face before Zigan managed to crawl into the garage and take cover. Giaquinta then moved up to the garage and shot Terrell in the right arm bicep when he stepped into the garage to help Zigan. Terrell and Zigan were able to return fire. Anthony Giaquinta was later found dead behind his home along with the body of another man, 45-year-old Steve Singleton. The sheriff and deputy were taken to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville at about 8 p.m. Terrell was released from the hospital in a few hours and and Zigan was admitted and in good condition. Anthony Giaquinta was a former Gainesville police officer from September 2002 - October 2009. While with Gainesville Police Department he became a certified K9 handler in March, 2006. With his K9 partner "Miso" from 2006-2009 he and his K9 had 426 physical apprehensions, 7 arrests with K9, 473 tracks with captures, 33 tracks with no captures, 23 team arrests, 840 training hours, 1377 drug and property seizures totaling $624,027.00. Giaquinta was a certified K9 decoy and Master Trainer with 2,000 hours of post certified police k9 training. He was certified as an explosive detection dog handler, certified with North American Police Work Dog Association in aggression control, man tracking, controlled substance detection, article search, area search, and building and vehicle search. In 2010 he became certified with his K9 partner "Mike". From 2010-2012 while with K9 "Mike" they had 237 physical apprehensions, 1  arrest with canine, 106 tracks with captures, 17 tracks with no captures, 35 training hours, 687 drug and property seizures totaling $64,522.00.   In 2012 he worked for Aegis Defense Services from January through November and provided armed security for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul Afghanistan and was granted a Department of State Security Clearance. Giaquinta then worked for Habersham County Sheriff's Office as a canine officer from December 2012 - June 2013, with his K9 partner "Max" and had 127 physical apprehensions, 3 arrests with canine, 87 tracks with captures, 24 tracks with no captures, 6 training hours, and 380 drug and property seizures totaling $74,212.00. Giaquinta then started working for Custom Canine Unlimited in Maysville, GA in July 2013 . Giaquinta's captured of a fugitive in 2011. The Giaquintas have two children but they were not harmed.

 

Matthew Fineran, 42, from Summerville, South Carolina was shot and killed on 1/29/15 by the Taliban while on security detail at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. Fineran was a K9 handler and a former police officer on the force with the Summerville Police Department from 2000 -2004. Also killed in the attack was Walter D. Fisher of North Myrtle Beach and Jason D. Landphair of Fayetteville, North Carolina. A fourth employee, Bradley A. James of Atlanta, Georgia, was wounded in the attack and but the wounds, while serious, are not considered life-threatening. The shooter was also killed. The Taliban  claimed responsibility for the death.  The shooter was a Taliban fighter wearing an Afghan police uniform. He infiltrated the ranks of Afghan security forces. Fineran was a contractor under Department of Defense and worked for Praetorian Standard whose company has picked up security details that were once handled by U.S. troops. He had worked overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan for over 10 years. He leaves behind his wife, Vickie Elaine Fineran, four daughters: Brittney, Paula, Amelia and Josie; two sons: Blaine and Jonah.

Officer Kenneth M. Bernstein

January 25, 2015- Bedford Park, Illinois - Age 44

On January 20, 2015, at approximately 1345 hours Detroit Regional Canine Training Instructor Gene Fonseca was found deceased at his home during a health and welfare check. The medical examiner was called to the scene, but initial indication is that Gene passed of natural causes. Officer Fonseca joined the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in June of 2012, assigned as the Regional Canine Training Instructor at DTW. His military career began in May of 1994, when he joined the United States Air Force as a Security Policeman / Law Enforcement Officer / Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler. Gene began his K9 career as a Patrol Explosives Detector Dogs (PEDD) handler at RAF Lakenheath and Barsdale AFB, where he supported numerous PEDD missions in support of the United Stated Secret Service and the Department of State. In 1999, Gene became a MWD trainer at Prince Sultan Air Base, KSA, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Later that year he became MWD trainer at Cairo West AB, Egypt in support of Operation Bright Star. Mr. Fonseca was also a Kennel Master at Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he was responsible for deploying numerous PEDDs to Iraqi Freedom. During that timeframe he was also deployed with two PEDDs from the kennels to Camp Snoopy, Doha Qatar supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. On arrival to Aviano Air Base, Italy in 2003. Gene was initially assigned a PEDD, after six months he became MWD Trainer for 14 MWDs and held that position until 2008. Positions held in his military career include Patrol Explosive Detector Dog Handler, MWD Trainer, Kennel Master and Law Enforcement Flight Chief. After serving 14 years of honorable service he separated from active duty at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Prior to joining the TSA, Mr. Fonseca was a civilian contractor for Northrop Grumman LLC from September 2008 to May of 2012 assigned to the 64th Security Forces Squadron, Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as  MWD Trainer for 6 assigned PEDDs.

 Brandon Thompson, 29, of Rehobeth, was killed in a vehicle accident on 12/26/14 in Dothan, Alabama. State troopers were called to investigate following a one-vehicle crash that occurred on Fortner Street at the intersection of Crestwood Drive. Off-duty officer Thompson was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when it ran off a road in Dothan about 2:57 a.m. and struck a sign before slamming into a tree. Thompson, who was not using a seatbelt, was transported to Flowers Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m. Also injured in the vehicle with Thompson was 21-year-old woman, Bailyn J. Stewart who was taken to Flowers Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. A motorist involved in a crash earlier with Thompson the same night told investigators he smelled alcohol on the officer's breath, the crash report states. Demorris Lee Kilow told Alabama State Troopers that off-duty officer Brandon Mark Jackson Thompson rear-ended his vehicle as he was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Montgomery Highway and Ross Clark Circle on the morning of Dec. 26,  When the men exited their vehicles, Kilow said he could tell Thompson had been drinking alcohol. Thompson sped away from the scene in his vehicle. Kilow followed Thompson and called 911. According to the report, Kilow witnessed Thompson lose control of his vehicle on Fortner Street and crash into a tree. Officer Brandon Thompson was a K9 Officer with the Dothan Police Department and served with them for six years. Brandon was awarded the highest honor given at the Police academy, The Commanders Award on July 25, 2008 for exhibiting exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication. Brandon was also a SWAT team member who was certified as a trained FBI firearms instructor. Brandon was awarded several medals, badges, and campaign honors while serving in the Army, these included honors such as: Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Bronze Star medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Medal/ Combat. While playing football at Rehobeth High School in Alabama he excelled on the football field where he earned the Wiregrass Athletic Conference Player of the year award. In 2003, Brandon was named in the Super Twelve as well as the Birmingham news First Team Honors while playing middle linebacker for Rehobeth High School. He is survived by his son, Landon Thompson, and  his daughter, Emerson Grace Thompson and his K9 partner Rex.

Robert Frederick Zelle died on 12/1/14 of lung cancer at the age of 89 at Quarters of Des Peres rehab facility. Bob Zelle was among the early recruits on the St. Louis police canine corps.  His K9 partner Sarge was a 70-pound, black German shepherd. Officer Zelle credited Sarge with the capture of eight burglars. Officer Zelle retired in 1981 after a 33-year career with the St. Louis Police Department. He lived in Ballwin. When World War II started, he joined the armed forces. He was awarded the Chief’s Letter of Commendation four times. His family recalled that he had played a bit part in the 1961 movie, “The Hoodlum Priest.” Officer Zelle’s and his dog were in a scene. Officer Zelle retired at the rank of Sergeant. He is survived by his wife, Roseann La Barbera Zelle.

Lt. William Jeffers passed away 12/30/14 at a Salt Lake City hospital after being unresponsive for two full weeks. It’s unclear why Jeffers wouldn’t wake up on Sunday, Nov. 16, around 9:20 a.m., when his wife Sarah called dispatch, but his condition never improved. Sarah Jeffers found her husband in bed that morning, his heart was beating, but he wasn’t breathing well and his breaths were irregular. He was transported to Evanston Regional Hospital and later that day transported by ambulance to University of Utah Hospital. Jeffers had apparently aspirated while sleeping, because doctors found fluid from vomit in his lungs. “He worked with the police department since April 27, 1997. He spent over 20 years with the Wyoming Army National Guard. Those positions include patrolman, K-9 unit, field training officer, member of the special response team, firearms instructor, detective division and lieutenant. Bill was a retired Master Sergeant with the Wyoming National Guard.

 

Ross Preston Lane, was booked on 9/8/14 and is being held without bond in connection with capital murder of a law enforcement office and also booked in connection with criminal possession of a firearm by a felon. Lane shot Cpl. Jason E. Harwood with a Springfield 40-caliber semiautomatic pistol which he pulled from the middle console in the car. At his first court appearance on 9/8/14  he told Judge Frank J. Yeoman that he did not have an attorney representing him. When Yeoman asked if he would like the court to appoint one, he responded, "nope." Ross Lane was previously convicted of multiple felonies. First on Aug. 19, 2003, he burglarized a building used as a dwelling in Johnson County. He was sentenced May 5, 2005, and was discharged on Sept. 29, 2005. Additionally, on Oct. 16, 2006, in Butler County, authorities arrested him in connection with criminal threat-intending to terrorize, and he was sentenced for the crime on June 4, 2007. He was discharged Sept. 21, 2009. Also in Kasper, Lane was listed as being moved Oct. 12, 2005, to El Dorado Correctional Facility because of a probation violation. He also was listed as being in correctional facilities at Ellsworth, Lansing and Butler County. The final movement listed was Sept. 21, 2009 to an unknown location. From Dec. 19, 2005 to Aug. 23, 2009, more than two-and-a-half pages of disciplinary reports were listed for him in Ellsworth, El Dorado and Lansing. The types of misconduct include threatening or intimidating a person, battery, assault, use of stimulants, dangerous contraband, misuse of state property and other things. Lane’s trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 11, 2016. On 12/24/15 Lane was found dead in his cell at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

Pvt. 1st Class Darrell Robinson, 23, of San Angelo, Texas was found dead at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 8/31/14. Robinson, who joined the Army in May 2013, was assigned in April to the 550th Military Working Dog, 42nd Military Police Detachment, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade. Robenson received his associate degree in criminal justice from Howard College before deciding to join the Army. He graduated basic training and school for military police in December 2013. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before moving to North Carolina. Robinson had been awarded a National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He was assigned a military police K-9 dog named Raptor.

Ed Larcom, 75, of Canton, Pa., passed away at home on August 24, 2014 following a courageous battle with cancer. He enlisted in the U.S. army serving two years in Bamberg, Germany. He began his career as a police officer in 1980 when he attended his first PA Municipal Police Officer Training Academy. Ed and his K9 partner, Baron, were integral members of the Bradford County K9 Unit. He enjoyed spending many hours training and working with Baron and became a renowned fixture of the county's law enforcement community. In 2001, Ed retired from the career he loved. He continued working as head of the security department for athletic events at Canton High School. Ed became the Bradford County Chief Detective until 2007. He then served as a transport officer for the County Sherriff's Dept. and began a security position for TriCorp until his last retirement in 2012. Surviving are his beloved wife of nearly 45 years Leslie Ann; Lisa Bailey and seven children. his family suggests memorials in Ed's name be made to Guthrie Hospice at 421 Tomahawk Rd., Towanda, PA 18848.

Border Patrol agent Javier Vega, Jr., was shot and killed on  8/3/14 at approximately 8:00 p.m. while fishing with  his two young children, a young friend and the agent’s parents in south Texas, north of Harlingen, when two men attempted to rob them, opening fire on Vega and his family. Vega was shot in the chest and killed and his father was shot in the hip. The two suspects were identified as Mexican nationals Gustavo Tijerina, 30, of La Villa, Texas, and Ismael Hernandez, 40, of Weslaco, Texas. The suspects have confessed to the crime and the two will ”face charges of capital murder, attempted capital murder, four counts of aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.” Off-duty Border Patrol agent Javier Vega, Jr. begged his father to “keep shooting, dad,” while the agent’s mother picked up a rifle and shot at the fleeing suspects as well. The Hispanic suspects were apprehended five hours after the shooting, hiding in a shed behind the home of a man living in the area. The suspects had made several passes along the road by the water when they spotted the group, and approached the victims and told them to get on the ground. The suspects were surprised when they discovered that the off-duty agent and his father were armed. ”The Border Patrol agent apparently kept telling his dad to ‘keep firing, dad, keep shooting, dad’ at the suspects after he was already hit.” At some point, the agent’s mother “apparently picked up the AR-15 rifle and continued shooting at the suspects’ vehicle, hitting the windshield and other parts of the vehicle as the suspects fled.” Vega Jr. worked for the Border Patrol for six years and was a Marine Corp veteran. Hundreds attended his funeral and the U.S. flag, Border Patrol Flag and Marine Corps flag were displayed. Agent Vega was buried with full military honors. He is survived by his wife Paola, and sons, Javier Vega III, Jiovanni, and Jarod and his K9 Goldie. The family of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega Jr. requests that donations be made to: Javier Vega Jr. Memorial Fund at Rio Bank, P.O. Box 4169, McAllen,Texas 78502 ( Routing Number 114915447/Account Number 4081153 ).

Both suspects Gustavo Tijerina, 30, of La Villa and Ismael Hernandez, 40, of Weslaco, Texas were arraigned on 8/5/14 inside the Willacy County jail library. At 12:45 p.m. the first suspect, Tijerina appeared before Judge Solis. As Tejerina was being walked out he asked if he could have a Bible from the Library. Hernandez was brought in approximately 1:10. After being told what he was being charged with he replied “I don’t understand why I’m being accused of so many things, he told the judge.They were ordered held without bail after being charged with capital murder of a peace officer, attempted murder four counts each of aggravated robbery and one count of tampering with evidence. Both had been arrested and deported numerous times and have been living in South Texas illegally. Tijerina was arrested at least four times for crossing into the U.S. illegally between 2007 and 2009, according to court records. Hernandez was arrested and deported at least twice. Tijerina also goes by the name of Tijerina Sandoval, pleaded guilty to entering the U.S. illegally on July 9, 2007. He was given a 30–day sentence with credit served and charged a $10 fee. Three months later on October 3, 2007 he was again found guilty of entering the country illegally and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and a $10 fee. A year later, on October 25, 2008, he again crossed into the U.S. and on November 18, 2008, he was given 90 days in jail and another $10 fee.  On December 15, 2009, Tijerina was indicted by a grand jury on charges of entering the U.S. illegally again. The indictment says he “had previously been denied admission, excluded, deported and removed and unlawfully was present in the United States having been found near Edinburg, Texas.” Court records say he had not obtained consent from the U.S. attorney general and the secretary of homeland security to reapply for admission into the U.S. A warrant for his arrest said he faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. He was held without bond on January 26, 2010 and was given nine months in jail and fined $100. Willacy County District Attorney Bernard Ammerman is seeking the death penalty against two men accused in the death of an off-duty Border Patrol agent.

Judge Migdallia Lopez presented the verdict,sentencing Tijerina-Sandoval to death on 6/12/18 for the capital murder charge and life for attempted capital murde. After three weeks of testimony, it only took the jury an hour to sentence Gustavo Tijerina-Sandoval to death.

Cpl. Ken Barker, 51, committed suicide July 11, 2014. He began his career in 1987 in Nanaimo with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1990 Ken and his wife Shari relocated to Winnipeg to be close to his mother when she became ill. At that time Ken chose another career path and served with the Winnipeg Fire Dept. from 1991 to 1994. In 1994, Ken returned to the RCMP and eventually fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a police dog handler. He retired in June of 2014 and had been on medical leave since October 2013. He worked with the Emergency Response Team and was awarded the Queens Jubilee Medal, the RCMP Long Service Medal and he received a Commissioners Commendation for Bravery. Ken suffered a long battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was one of the first police officers on the scene of the beheading of a young man aboard a Greyhound bus on a Manitoba highway in 2008. Ken Barker had separated from his wife three years earlier. Two women rescued Barker from a suicide attempt in May but committed suicide in July. He told his estranged wife Shari that the front door will be open and don’t go into the basement. Shari went there and the front door was open and she called for him and he didn’t respond. She knew not to go to the basement. She called then paramedics. Ken will forever be remembered by his wife Shari, daughter Kelly and son Sam and his predeceased police service dog Axa. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Families of the RCMP for PTSD Awareness c/o rcmp-f.ca. or Little Warriors.

Officer Gary S. Knight died on June 30, 2014 at his home in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 61. He  attended Fresno Pacific University and the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy. Upon graduation he was employed by the Umatilla Tribal Police and later the City of Umatilla Police Department. During his career he was acknowledged for assisting other agencies with his K9 partner "Moose". In 2005 Gary was awarded the American Chief’s of Police "Hall of Fame" commendation medal and the law enforcement purple heart for injuries received in the line of duty while assisting with the arrest of a homicide suspect in 2001. He retired from the Umatilla Police Department with a medical retirement from those injuries. He continued to serve as a volunteer Evidence Technician for Stanfield Police Department. Gary is survived by his wife: Brenda S. Knight,  son: Travis J. Knight, Hermiston,  and daughter: Melody T. Simmons.

Robert Netherland passed away on 6/10/14  after a bout with silent pneumonia. He served four years during the Korean Conflict – mostly on the USS Wasp – before an honorable discharge in 1956. He help start the first Police Drug K9 school in Virginia history. Bob was one of the five original dog handlers in the state. Bob’s first dog was Major, Bob became one of the pioneers of Virginia’s drug K9 program. He was one of the original three to start the program, and even went on to write the official manual. After that, he wrote the Georgia State Highway Patrol’s K9 program’s manual. Bob spent 38 years with the Virginia State police, 27 of which were with the K9 unit. He retire until 1995. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Lyon Netherland; two daughters, Deborah Coleman  and Donna Roberts and son, Robert Netherland.  memorial contributions may be made to University of Virginia School of Nursing in the name of Denise Kaye Netherland Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 801015, Charlottesville, Va. 22908.

Const. Dave Ross,32, was shot and killed on 6/4/14 by a gunman identified as Justin Christian Bourque, 24, who was wearing military camouflage and wore a brown headband and heavily armed carrying two military-style assault rifles with high capacity magazines, a bow and a knife. A manhunt for the shooter was launched and continued overnight and into 5 June. On 6 June, Bourque was found at 12:10 a.m. and taken into custody, ending the approximate 28-hour manhunt. The incident began at 7:20 p.m. when police received reports of a man in camouflage carrying two long guns and a crossbow. Openly carrying non-restricted firearms in Canada is legal provided they are unloaded during transportation. Bourque ambushed the responding officers with a shootout that left three RCMP officers killed, Const Ross who joined the force in 2007, Const. Fabrice Gevaudan,45, who joined the force in 2008 and Const. Doug Larche,40, who joined the force in 2002 and two other officers shot and hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries were Const. Darlene Goguen and Const. Eric Dubois. The shooter then fled the scene. Pinehurst Park area of Moncton was locked down while the search for the shooter was in progress; public buses were pulled from the streets, and all entrances to the affected area were sealed. Multiple sightings of the suspect, including by police, continued in the second day of the manhunt. Up to 300 police personnel were involved in the search. Pedestrians and motorists were asked to stay away from the area of the search and schools, government offices, stores, and businesses were closed. Residents were later instructed to lock their doors, leave their exterior lights on, and refrain from broadcasting police movements on social media sites. The next day, police surrounded an apartment building and were broadcasting a demand to exit over a public address system. More than a dozen armed officers surrounding the building and deployed a robot with a camera inside at approximately 3:00 p.m. Minutes later, they left the apartment complex after finding no sign of the suspect. The report that called police over to the building later turned out to be a false alarm. A police helicopter with thermal -imaging cameras was searching Moncton. At least two armored cars were borrowed by the mounted police to transport heavily armed tactical team members. On June 6, 2014, at 12:10 a.m. the suspect was arrested by the RCMP after being found in a yard on Mecca Drive. While being taken into custody, he reportedly told police, "I'm done." Const. Dave Ross's K9 attended the funeral service and cried next to his handler’s casket. The funeral service was carried live on TV from the Moncton Coliseum on 6/10/14. The Moncton Coliseum was filled to capacity with 7,000 attending. Because of the large crowds attending 10 more places were made available for people which were also filled to capacity adding another 7,000 which was not including the people who showed up along the streets for the funeral. His wife Rachael picked out the song "Ten Thousand Reasons" to be played at his service. Const Ross leaves behind his wife Rachael and their one-and-a-half-year-old son, Austin — and Rachael is six months pregnant. He also leaves behind his K9 "Danny".  K9 "Danny was assigned to another handler soon after.

On June 6, 2014, Justin Christian Bourque made his first court appearance. Bourque faces three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection to the shooting deaths of three RCMP officers and the wounding of two more.  Justin Bourque had no previous criminal record. On 8/8/14 Justin Bourque pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder. On 10/31/14 Justin Bourque was sentenced to five life sentences with chance of no parole for 75 years by Judge David Smith. At the time of his sentencing it was the longest sentence in Canadian history, and the harshest since the death penalty was abolished.

Cpl. David Foley, 53, died on 5/25/14 after suffering a heart attack and collapsing while attending church services in Livonia. Foley was with his family in church when he bowed his head to pray, quietly took two breaths and collapsed. Three nurses who were at the worship service immediately began CPR but those efforts failed to revive him. Cpl. Foley was a longtime K9 handler of the Monroe Police Department and a 24-year veteran of the force. He enlisted in the United States Army, serving honorably from 1980-1986, taking courses in correspondence and serving as a K-9 officer in the military police. He often brought his tracking dogs, Colonel and Justice, to Monroe County schools and organizations for demonstrations. Cpl. Foley, was especially proud recently since his son, Matt, joined the police department and just completed his three-month probation period and his dad was looking forward to working with his son at the same profession on the same department. He was preceded by the passing of his K9 partner, Colonel.  In addition to his son, Matt, Cpl. Foley leaves behind his wife, Brenda, his son Matt and two daughters, Melissa and Elizabeth and K-9 partner, Justice.

Frederick C. Feil Jr., 82, Upper Township, died on 4/16/14 of heart failure at his home. He was with the Philadelphia Police Department from 1966 to 1976 and served as a canine officer and worked with a Doberman pinscher named Dutch and a German shepherd named Shep. He served as an Army tank gunner during the Korean conflict, earning a Purple Heart after being wounded in combat. Because of Mr. Feil's love of the sea, his ashes were scattered at sea, off Cape Hatteras. Besides his wife Margaret, Mr. Feil is survived by son Frederick J.C. Donations may be sent to the Seeing Eye Inc., 10 Washington Valley Rd., Morristown, N.J. 07960 or to www.seeingeye.org.

Officer Jason M. Crisp

 

Officer Jason Crisp, 38, and his K9 partner Maros were killed on 3/12/14. The incident started to unfold when police went to a home on 5500 block of  Fish Hatchery Road around 8:45 a.m. for a welfare check because co-workers had not seen the lady and friends told police they hadn’t seen the couple for six days. When they entered they found husband and wife, Levi and Rhonda Whisnant shot dead. Police said they were dead for at least a day. Following the welfare check, the sheriff’s office named 38-year-old Troy David Whisnant, the son of the couple, as a person of interest. Whisnant was not at his parents’ home when investigators arrived, but the discovery of the homicides of his father and step mother was just beginning of wild series incidents in the search for the suspect. Police say he broke into a neighbor’s shed, stole weapons and stole a vehicle. Authorities discovered that the door of a neighboring house near the homicide had been kicked in. After searching the home, deputies discovered five firearms – a .22 revolver, .22 rifle, 12-guage pump shotgun, single-shot 12-guage and a .50 caliber muzzle load – were missing. A .32 pistol was taken from the outbuilding. Whisnant wrecked that vehicle and fled the scene, then stealing a second car. When police spotted him driving, Whisnant abandoned the second stolen car and ran into the woods. The suspect came across a U.S. Forestry Service officer Crisp as he ran and shot and killed the officer and his K9 Maros at  2:55 p.m. in an ambush with a 12-gauge shotgun. After killing his third victim Whisnant stole the officer’s  .45-caliber pistol and magazine and fled again. The manhunt concluded when an Avery County deputy and two troopers with North Carolina Highway Patrol found Whisnant. They exchanged gunfire. At least one bullet struck and killed Whisnant at 4:45p.m.  During the violent confrontation Whisnant shot himself in the head. He was also struck by one of the officer's bullets. Around 120 to 150 officers from the BCSO, McDowell, Avery and Caldwell County sheriff’s offices, as well as the FBI, SBI, Beach Mountain Police, Morganton Department of Public Safety, Avery County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell County, State Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service assisted in the manhunt. Officer Jason Crisp worked for the U.S. Forestry Service for ten years and previously served as a McDowell County Sheriff deputy. Officer Crisp's dog Maros was hurt last fall while chasing a bad guy and had broken his leg and had just returned to service a couple weeks ago. K9 Maros was cremated and placed in the casket with Officer Crisp to be buried together. Surviving are his wife of 18 years, Amanda Dicks Crisp and two sons, Garett, 16, and Logan, 5. Memorials, to benefit their children, may be made to Amanda Crisp at the State Employees Credit Union, PO Box 8, Marion, NC 28752.

Whisnant had lengthy criminal history and had more than a dozen prior charges. In February of 1996 the then 20-year-old Whisnant strolled into Burke County Sheriff’s Department on February 11, 1996 and confessed to killing his best friend, William Shane Newton, the night before. Whisnant had been abusing substances, including alcohol, prescription and nonprescription drugs since he was 12 years old. Whisnant pleaded guilty 14 months later to voluntary manslaughter in Superior Court. He was given credit for the 14 months he spent in prison before the sentencing, and was incarcerated for another year. Whisnant continued to lead a life of crime, and was later convicted on the following charges between his April 1998 release and April of 2011: felony larceny over $1,000, possession of stolen goods, credit card theft, misdemeanor possession of schedule VI controlled substance, open container of alcohol after consuming, resisting an officer, assault on a public official and reckless driving. Whisnant was awaiting trial on charges of breaking and entering, hit and run, and several traffic violations.

Jeremy Christopher Johnson, age 34, died December 26, 2013 in his home at Jacksonville, FL. Jeremy completed 12 years of service as a Master at Arms, Force Protection Canine Handler, MA2, and achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was deployed to Iceland and later completed 2 tours in Iraq and 1 in Djibouti, Africa. Jeremy incurred physical conditions from his tours of duty, but the PTSD he dealt with produced the greater pain and suffering. He was discharged under the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in May of 2007. On September 22, 2011, Johnson became one of the first DADT dischargees in the nation to publicly reenlist in the military, joining the U.S. Navy Reserves at the same rank and position he left. Jeremy volunteered with The 6th Branch in Baltimore City, MD, as a board member and primary team member on "Operation: Oliver", a veteran-sponsored community revitalization project. Jeremy Johnson joined the United States Navy in December of 1996 at the age of 19. After attending boot camp, he attended career training at Fort Meade, MD for training as a military journalist. Upon graduating in 1997, he went on to serve as a regional reporter in Japan for the military’s “Pacific Report” In 1999, he transferred to Italy to work for the Sixth Fleet Public Affairs staff aboard USS LaSalle. In 2001, Johnson was chosen to return to Fort Meade to teach television broadcasting to new troops at the military’s Defense Information School. He taught more than 400 Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force personnel how to report from the frontlines though video, writing and editing. Johnson returned to duty overseas in 2004 with an assignment as program director at the U.S. Navy’s Odyssey 107.3FM in Crete, Greece. After 13 months there, Johnson moved to an assignment in Guam aboard submarine tender USS Frank Cable where he served as the assistant Public Affairs Officer for a crew of 1,200. While there, he actively brought the crew’s concerns to senior leadership and helped coordinate international coverage of the first multilateral submarine talks between Australia, Malaysia and the United States in Kuala Lumpur. In March of 2007, after 10 ½ years of service, Johnson revealed his sexual identity to his commanding officer and received an honorable discharge. He worked for Leon County Sheriffs Department in Tallahassee upon completion of his active duty in the Navy. He continued to serve his country in the Navy Reserves at Kings Bay, GA. During his Navy career, Jeremy Johnson rose to the rank of Petty Officer First Class (E6), and earned three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Joint Commendation Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a National Defense Medal, a Rifle Marksmanship (Silver E) Medal, an Air Force Unit Excellence Award, a Battle "E" Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon (1 silver star), a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 bronze stars), and a Good Conduct medal with 2 bronze stars. He lived in Maryland and worked as a speech writer for US Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington DC. Jeremy is preceded in death by his Iraq war dog Amber. The family wants to support other soldiers like Jeremy that are suffering from the same post war conditions, this will be done by donating to the Wounded Warriors Project (CSRP) or Combat Stress Recovery Program.

David L. Zellers, 63, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. He proudly served our country in the United States Army in the Vietnam War and Afghanistan as a dog handler. In Vietnam, he was part of the 981st Sentry Dog Company. David served as a private contract dog handler later in life in Afghanistan. Survivors: His wife, Jane; daughters, Cassandra, Verity and Katherine; sons, Graham and Neil.
 

Officer Casey Kohlmeier

 

Officer Casey Kohlmeier, 29, and his dog, Draco, were in a vehicle accident on 10/30/13. The accident was reported to state police at 9:38 p.m. Officer Kohlmeier's marked stationary patrol car was hit by another vehicle on Interstate 55 just north of Illinois 23 in Livingston County. Kohlmeier was in a median turnaround when his car was struck by a northbound vehicle. The pickup truck, driven by Jason C. Collins, 33, still was connected to the passenger side of Officer Kohlmeier’s SUV. State troopers arrived to find Kohlmeier, who was unconscious, being tended by officers from Pontiac police and the Livingston County Pro-Active Unit. Officer Kohlmeier was rushed to OSF St. James John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac where he died at 10:46 p.m.  Jason C. Collins was transferred to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria and hospitalized. Officer Kohlmeier canine Draco, who was his partner for five years, died at the scene.  It was raining at the time of the crash. Collins told police he had been drinking at a Bloomington bar before the crash, and video surveillance footage from the bar showed Collins was there for five hours. His blood alcohol level exceeded the legal driving limit of 0.08 percent. The defendant claimed he fell asleep while driving and awoke just before the crash occurred. Officer Kohlmeier was a 6 year veteran with Pontiac police department. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2002-2006 at Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. While in the service, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force BMT Honor Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with device, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was Airman of the Year 2005. Kohlmeier was part of the Livingston County Pro-Active Unit, which is made up of several area police departments, and hoped to join the FBI. He had just received his pilot’s license this past year. He was a Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County and Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association. Thousands attended his service  along  with  dozens  of canine officers with their K9's. Songs played at his service were Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”.   Kohlmeier was not married and had no children. Donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County or K9 Fund through the Pontiac Police Department.

Jason C. Collins, 33, of West Columbia, South Carolina, was arrested by Illinois State Police, who were investigating the crash, after he was discharged from the hospital on 11/31/13. On 11/1/13, Collins,  had bond set at $1 million by Livingston County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bauknecht. Collins was seen in a video arraignment from the Livingston County Jail, where he is being held. He is charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, each Class 2 felonies, punishable by three-to-14 years in prison on the aggravated DUI charge, the most serious of the charges with a limited opportunity for probation; one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, punishable by probation or a sentence of two-to-five years in prison; and two counts of driving under the influence, each Class A misdemeanors. He would be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence if he is convicted of any of the felony counts. Collins has a prior aggravated DUI in New Jersey in 2008, when he was driving under the influence and struck a pedestrian, causing severe bodily injury. He also has other charges on his record, including illegal transportation of alcohol and driving while his license was suspended. The State asked for bond to be set at $200,000 – ten percent of which would have to be paid for bail. Bauknecht took that under consideration, but chose to raise the bond to $1 million, which $100,000 would have to be posted for him to leave custody of the jail. She considered him a flight risk and added that, with the severity of the charges, the bond needed to be set higher. Livingston County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bauknecht heard his initial court appearance, but Collins has filed a preliminary motion for a reassignment of the judge. On Nov. 25 Jason Collins pleaded not guilty. A motion to reduce bond was denied by Livingston County Associate Court Judge Robert Travers on December 17, 2013. The trial has been delayed to 9 a.m. 3/17/14, with pretrial at 3:30 p.m. 2/3/14. At his last court appearance the pretrial date for August 11, 2014 was set for August 26, 2014 because both sides have not had time to prepare for a trial. On August 26, 2014 he pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of reckless homicide and was sentenced December 8, 2014 to twelve years

 

Cst. Louis Beglaw, 50,  died after he was found in cardiac arrest  at the department's  headquarters on 9/16/13 while on duty. Cst. Beglaw joined the West Vancouver Police Department in  2003  after  a  military  career  that  culminated  with  service as the deputy commanding officer of the Royal Westminster  Regiment  of  the  Canadian  Army  Reserve. Before  that  he worked  with  Canada  Border  Service.  Cst. Beglaw was a  very dedicated  officer  who  went  through  very  extensive  training  to  became  a  police  service  dog handler in 2007. He is survived by his wife Sarah, their young son and daughter and his service dog Capone. 

Officer Jason Ellis, 33, was shot and killed on 5/25/13 on the 34 exit ramp of the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Kentucky. Ellis was in uniform and headed home from work in a “pool car” that was marked but not his assigned vehicle and not equipped to capture video or audio. Two vehicles had stopped behind him and sat there a few minutes and saw no action, the curiosity got them, they got out to see what was going on and that's when they found Officer Ellis on the side of the road. The first sign of trouble came when a woman’s voice began frantically calling for help on the officer’s police radio at 2:53 a.m. that an officer and had been fatally struck by a vehicle. “Officer down! Officer down! Emergency!,” the woman’s voice crackled across the radio as she told dispatchers she found the officer outside the car on the side of the exit ramp car at the BG parkway Bloomfield exit. The woman’s voice was followed by that of a man, who told dispatchers he was on his way home from work and drove up to find the police cruiser in the middle of the road with its emergency lights on and the officer was outside the cruiser and was not breathing the man told dispatchers. When Trooper Mike Garyantes arrived on the scene at approximately 3:16 a.m.,  and minutes after the Trooper's arrival, he discovered that it was not a motor vehicle crash and that the officer involved had been shot multiple times with a 12-gauge shotgun and killed  outside his cruiser with its lights on and 12 gauge shotgun shell casings in the road. Officer Ellis was shot multiple times in his arm, side, neck, head, and other areas not protected by his ballistic vest. His service weapon was still in its holster, suggesting Ellis was ambushed. Officer Ellis did not call dispatch center that he was out on a violator, a subject or assisting anyone on the ramp. At the time of the incident, Officer Ellis did not have his dog Figo with him. Police have said it was a  premeditated ambush and involved a high level of planning and calculation. Investigators believe that the debris was planted on the road to be used as bait for the ambush. The police also found that the debris Ellis removed consisted of tree limbs from a tree not indigenous to the area, which indicated that the debris was deliberately placed there.The killer most likely left the debris on the road and then hid somewhere nearby to wait for someone to pick it up. It is still unknown whether the killer intended to shoot and kill the Kentucky officer, Jason Ellis, or simply the first person who was attracted by the debris on the road. Exit 34 ramp was a daily route for Ellis. Police believe that the location was "obviously not picked randomly." The killer is still at large and a reward of $6,000 was announced on 5/27/13 for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect, raised to $10,000 on 5/28/13, increased to $10,000. on 5/29/13 to $43,000 on 5/30/13 to $103,000, on 6/3/13 to $125,000 and on 6/5/13 to $150,000 and in August of 2013 raised to $185,000 making it the largest reward for information leading to an arrest of the killer of a canine officer. Ellis was a star baseball player at Cumberland College where he holds the records for hits, batting average, doubles, home runs, runs batted in and games played and went on to play for the Cincinnati Reds farm system from 2002-2004 after college. Ellis was a seven-year veteran of the Bardstown Police Department, and the only K-9 officer. Officer Ellis is the first officer tragedy for the Bardstown Police Department. During his time as a police officer he had numerous awards and commendations including Bardstown Police Officer of the Year in 2008 and also the Governor's Award for Impaired Driving Enforcement for 2007 and 2008. He is survived by his wife, Amy Phillips Ellis; two sons, Hunter Ellis, 7, and Parker Ellis, 6. K9 Figo will be retiring from police work and will live with Ellis’ wife and children. Officer Ellis's canine, Figo, attended the funeral service along with approximately two thousand people and approximately twenty canine teams. Officer Ellis's K9 Figo passed away on 5/23/17 and his ashes will be burried next to his handler. Donations can be made to Supporting Heroes. http://www.supportingheroes.org or donate to either the officer's family or the reward fund set up through the family and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 43: Make checks payable to Officer Jason Ellis Memorial Fund or the Officer Jason Ellis Reward Fund. Specify which fund. Checks can be sent in each fund's name to Chief Rick McCubbin, Bardstown Police Department, 212 Nelson County Plaza, Bardstown, Ky., 40004. Donations also can be made at any Muir Bank branch in Bardstown.

Cpl. David M. Sonka

 

U.S. Marine, Cpl. David Sonka, 23, and his military K9 Flex, who was trying to save him were killed on 5/4/13 during a combat operation in Afghanistan's Farah province. Cpl. David Sonka and his dog, Flex, were killed during an insider attack. They were working with a unit that was training an Afghan National Army soldier when the Afghani man turned his weapon on the Marines. They were killed while waiting for a high-ranking U.S. officer to emerge from a meeting at an Afghan National Army base. A team of six Marines were escorting the high-ranking officer and two intelligence officers to a meeting at the Afghan Army base.  Cpl. Sonka was from Parker, Colorado. Also Staff Sgt. Eric Christian, 39, of Warwick, N.Y., also was killed in the incident. The two Marines were assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sonka born in Aurora. He joined the Marines in August of 2008 and graduated recruit training in November 2008. During his service Sonka received numerous personal decorations, including a Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon. Sonak attended military police school, and, once finished, began courses to become a Military Working Dog handler. Assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force K9 Section of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California from July 2009 to March 2012, Sonka was then deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom. Sonka was then assigned to Marine Special Operations Combat Support Battalion, Marine Special Operations Support Group at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he completed Special Operations Training Course, and Multi-Purpose Canine Course Phase I and Phase II. From there, Sonka attached to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion as a Multi-Purpose Canine Handler. Cpl. Sonka was serving his second deployment and had just arrived in Afghanistan a few weeks prior to being killed. The Multi-Purpose Canine Kennel at Stone Bay, North Carolina, was named after him in on 9/7/15. He is survived by his wife Torey. Cpl Sonka was buried on 5/16/13 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver Colorado. Memorial donations suggested to Wounded Warrior Project or Feed the Dawgs Project, P.O. Box 533, Mentone, CA 92359-0533.

Correctional Officer Sergeant Gilbert Cortez

Correctional Officer Sgt. Gilbert Cortez, 46, and his service dog, Mattie, were killed in a single car accident on 3/25/13 at 7:20 a.m. while on duty. K9 Mattie succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the crash. There were no other occupants of the vehicle when the crash occurred. Officer Cortez was leading a small caravan of five vehicles with a marked Ford Crown Victoria on State Route 79, east of Lake Henshaw, a half-mile south of San Felipe Road in the Warner Springs area. They were en route to inspect La Cima Fire Camp, an inmate-staffed back-country firefighting outpost in the Julian area where they were scheduled to search inmates for drugs and other contraband. His fellow officers who were following behind his vehicle said Cortez’s vehicle drifted to the right and he overcorrected and skidded out, overturned and rolled over side-to-side, coming to rest on its wheels after crossing the highway into a rock embankment. The officers who were following ran to the car and extricated him and performed CPR.  Medics took Cortez to a nearby fire station, where he died before he could be put into an emergency services helicopter for a flight to a trauma center. Cortez, a 23-year veteran of the state corrections agency, worked at California Rehabilitation Center in Riverside County and was part of its Southern Regional K-9 Unit. He started his career in 1990 at the California Institution for Men in Chino. A year later, he transferred to Calipatria State Prison and was assigned to the Investigative Services Unit. In 2001, he was transferred to the Norco prison to complete K-9 training. Mattie was a Belgian Malinois, donated by a private citizen in the San Diego area  and was certified to search for contraband and narcotics and partnered with Cortez since August 2011. His funeral was attended by hundreds on April 9, 2013. He is survived by his wife Nohema and two children, Andy and Marisa. 

Osmaine Dean Gabourel died in a vehicle accident on 2/28/13 shortly after midnight just outside Punta Gorda on the main highway passing through Hopeville and Cattle Landing. The Police Canine Unit vehicle of Belmopan was heading in the direction out Punta Gorda. He was the only occupant and driver of the vehicle when it ran off the road and crashed into the concrete front section of the Southern Realty and Art gallery building. The police vehicle was extensively damaged while the badly injured police constable was found outside the vehicle on the building’s front floor concrete section which was also damaged by the impact of the vehicle leaving one of the entire front wheel torn off the vehicle and was left lodged against the building’s damaged metal design front door. Civilians who were at the scene of the accident shortly after rendered assistance and rushed seriously injured police constable to the Punta Gorda hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Police Constable Gabourel was part of a team of four who were in Punta Gorda from the Canine Unit in Belmopan who along with two canine dogs were scheduled for a Career Day presentation that day at JC Technical High School.

Officer John Clarke, 43, died on 2/25/13 while off duty. Officer Clarke  finished working out on a machine at Snap Fitness, 5900 S. 85th St., around 11 a.m., sat down and fell over. A physical therapist rushed to give him CPR. Rescue workers took him to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center where doctors pronounced him dead. Having joined the department in 1991, During his career, he served on the SWAT team, as a firearms instructor and head canine trainer. Clarke’s police dog, Beersie-Remo, will stay with another handler until the dog retires later this year, something that was scheduled before Clarke’s death. Clarke was a 21-year veteran and was was, serving as the handler for over 15 years and statewide certification trainer. Officer Clarke was a former lineman for the Husker football team. Clarke leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and their three children, daughters Chasye, Hope and son Colton. Memorials to Capitol City Christian Church, Special Olympics, and Clarke Children Education Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank.

Officer Kevin Tonn, 35, was shot and killed on 1/15/13 while responding to a possible burglary in progress on the 200 block of F Street in Galt around 11:18 a.m. Officers arrived on the scene at 11:25 a.m. and found that the door of a duplex had been kicked in.  While officers were interviewing neighbors, one of the witnesses pointed down the road to some train tracks, roughly a block away, which they thought may have been the burglary suspect shortly after 11:30 a.m. Tonn parked his patrol car along the tracks, left his canine partner, Yaro, a German shepherd, inside and tried to contact the man. Tonn attempted to approach the man, but the man became aggressive and an altercation between Tonn and the suspect ensued and he called for emergency back up at 11:34 a.m.  At some point during the struggle, the suspect pulled out a hand gun and shot Tonn once in the head and fired several shots at the second officer who responded to the burglary call. Two minutes later a second officer reported shots fired and an "officer down." The second officer, who was not hurt, was not able to return fire because of the position in which he had taken cover. Tonn also did not fire any shots. The first officer, Tonn, was transported to Kaiser Permanente South Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The shooter also died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and was later identified as Humphrey Kenneth Gascon Jr., 30, of Galt. As it turned out in the investigation, Gascon, the person who shot Officer Tonn had nothing to do with the burglary and was later found out that the person that did the burglary was actually a family member of the one that reported the burglary. Before joining the Galt Police Department in September 2009, Tonn previously worked in New York as a firefighter and paramedic and then a fire inspector. Prior to that, he served in the military as a police officer in the U.S. Army. His canine partner Yaro was not injured in the incident. Officer Tonn had been with the department 3 1/2 years. He was not married and didn’t have children. It is the first line-of-duty death for the Galt Police Department. Officer Tonn's K9 Yaro died on 9/13/22 at the age of 15. after being retired to live with his family. Thousands attended Officer Tonn's funeral including his K9 partner Yaro along with approximately a dozen other police K9 officers with their canines. Officer Tonn received full military honors and also a  five helicopter fly over at the service. A memorial was unveiled in his honor on 1/15/15, "Kevin Tonn Fallen Heroes Memorial".  A K9  trust fund has been set up in Tonn’s name at Premier West Bank, 9340 East Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624. The account number is 82804382.

Humphrey Kenneth Gascon Jr. had  only minor traffic infractions, but no felony arrests. Gascon could have been arrested for carrying a loaded firearm in public.Gascon had been arrested for driving under the influence in Nevada but had no history of violent crime.

Robert Seymore 38, fatally shot his wife Amber Seymore, 38, in the head on 12/3/12 at approximately 9:00 a.m. and then turned the weapon on himself commiting suicide. Robert Seymore was a former Bay Area Rapid Transit police canine officer in California for 10 years. Amber had confronted her husband about his cheating.  Amber Seymore’s mother found the bodies of her daughter and son-in-law in their bedroom lying on the floor and ran outside calling 911 and flagging down a motorist driving by who was Matt Taylor heading to work. Amber Seymore's mother  pleaded Matt Taylor to go inside the home because her son-in-law, Robert Seymore, was not supposed to be there. She told him I think he shot her. So then he said who shot her? Where is he? Is he still in there? Does he still have a gun?"  Not knowing what he would see, he went inside the couple's home where he first found their two year old toddler as he was going up the stairs, she was coming out of the kitchen. As he made his way upstairs, he found the tragic murder suicide scene. At the time they were in the process of getting a divorce. The day after Thanksgiving, Mrs Amber Seymore called police to file a domestic violence complaint. She notified police that she had found out that her husband was cheating on her and that she planned to confront him about it, but feared for her safety. She said her husband and two of her children would soon be returning home. And she would be kicking him out of the house when he gets there. She asked for a police officer to park in the street outside the house for his return, as he did not know she had found out about the affair. She also told police there were a lot of guns in the house. Police sent an officer to the area, but did not hear from Mrs Seymore again that day. The Seymore's had moved from California to North Carolina and had been living in North Carina for eighteen months. Robert had served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. Robert and Amber Seymore had three young children, Robert Seymore, Alexandra Seymore, and Abigail Seymore. Two older children, ages 6 and 8, were in elementary school at the time of the shooting. Memorial contributions may be made to Seymore Children's Fund, c/o Hope Community Church, 821 Buck Jones Rd. Raleigh, NC 27606.
 

 

Michael J. Henry, 30, pleaded guilty on 3/12/13 of supplying the gun that was used in Fox’s slaying. Henry pleaded guilty to all 23 charges involving the illegal sale or transfer of firearms and lying on gun purchase applications that the guns he was buying were for himself and not anyone else. Montgomery County Judge Joseph A. Smyth,  accepted the plea. Henry allegedly purchased nine guns between April 2012 and July 2012  for Andrew Charles Thomas, including the Beretta 9 mm pistol that Thomas used to gun down Fox. Thomas would tell Henry what type of gun he wanted, give him cash to pay for the gun and, after the transaction was completed, give Henry $500 in cash for making the purchase.  Thomas was barred by law from purchasing the guns himself because he's a convicted felon. Henry was arrested on charges of the illegal sale or transfer of firearms and lying on gun-purchase applications that the guns he purchased were for himself and not anyone else. Henry, who has been held in the county prison in lieu of $1 million cash bail since his arrest Oct. 10, 2012. Henry told the judge he  has been treated at various mental health facilities for anxiety and depression. Police are calling on the public to aid investigators in trying to track down the remaining eight guns, including two rifles that Henry allegedly purchased for Thomas. The firearms that have not been recovered include: Colt .45 ACP, Colt .45 ACP Defender, Colt Mustang .380 ACP 7¾-inch Barrel, Beretta 92FS 9 mm pistol, Beretta 92FS INOX 9 mm pistol, Fabrique Nationale 57 5.7X28 pistol, Remington 750 30-06 rifle and a Stevens 200 Rifle 300 Winchester. On 8/15/13 Montgomery County Judge Joseph A. Smyth sentenced Michael J. Henry to 20 to 66 years behind bars for serving as the straw purchaser of the Beretta 9 mm pistol that was used in the slaying.

On 8/8/17 Vikki Towns-Perez, 36, mother of four who was charged in April for the “straw purchase” street transfer of nine firearms to her nephew was sentenced on 8/8/17 to five to 10 years in a state correctional facility under the Brad Fox Law. She entered a negotiated guilty plea before Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Mary Alice Brennan on six third-degree felony counts of selling a firearm to an ineligible transferee, which were consolidated into one count for sentencing, as well as one additional count of the same charge as a felony of the second degree. The Brad Fox Law, enacted in 2013, is named for a Montgomery County police officer who was shot to death by a convicted felon that should not have had access to guns. The statute requires a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for anyone convicted on a second or subsequent offense for making a “straw purchase” of a gun. Towns-Perez, whose first name is also spelled “Vicki” in court records, was sentenced to three and a half to seven years for the first consolidated count, as well as the mandatory five to 10 years for the second count, running concurrently. County Detective David Tyler determined that Towns-Perez purchased nine handguns between February 2012 and May 2013, all of them registered in her name. Several of the guns were the same make and model, including multiple .9mm Kel-Tec hand guns. Towns-Perez, a former certified nursing assistant at the Fair Acres Geriatric Center, told investigators that she purchased all nine guns for her nephew, who she believed had been convicted of several crimes and was not able to purchase the weapons himself. The nephew would describe the model he wanted and give Towns-Perez the money to pay for the gun. Towns-Perez received $150 to $200 in cash for each purchase she made. Towns-Perez previously told ATF Special Agents Sarah Jane Serafino and Gary Malone in a 2014 interview regarding the nine purchases that all of the firearms were in a box inside a filing cabinet at her mother’s residence on McCarey Street. She told the agents that her family had temporarily moved to Ward Street because they could not pay the electric bill. When asked why she purchased several of the same make, model and caliber handguns, according to the affidavit, “she stated that some of the guns would not work correctly, so she would purchase another one of the same type.” Towns-Perez said it would be too costly to send the guns back to the manufacturer for repair and that they had no warranties. She also said she liked the “looks” of the guns, according to the affidavit. She later admitted to meeting her nephew in the 2600 block of Boyle Street in the Highland Gardens neighborhood of Chester to exchange the guns for money, according to the release. Towns-Perez’s nephew, 23-year-old Ka’Ron Ingram, was shot in the back on the night of Aug. 17, 2015. He was found unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a car that had been involved in a two-vehicle collision in the 3000 block of West 13th Street in Chester. His homicide remains unsolved. Of the nine guns Towns-Perez bought, five had been recovered by authorities as of April. All of the recovered guns were used in felony crimes. Towns-Perez was charged with nine counts each of firearm ownership and providing false information; firearm ownership and duty of another person; and tampering with public records, all felonies. She was also charged with false statements, false reports to law enforcement and related charges. The remaining charges were withdrawn under the negotiated guilty plea worked out by Deputy District Attorney George Dawson, Chief of the Anti-Violence Unit, and defense counsel Dawn Getty Sutphin.

 

Sheriff's Deputy, Robert Crapse, 32, was killed at 2:15 a.m. on 6/15/12 in the northbound lanes of I-95 when a driver going the wrong way on Interstate 95 struck his cruiser head on. Sheriff's Deputy, Robert Crapse, who resided in Ellabell, had been working traffic control and was headed back to the north end of the county when the accident occurred and was not wearing his seat belt. The crash happened near mile marker 97 which is between the I-16 and Highway 204 exits. Crapse had his K9 “Seppe”, a Belgian Malinois, with him at the time of the accident and his K9 survived with just a scraps and bruises. The driver of the other car , 23-year-old Patricia Ann Collins, of Richmond Hill was driving a white Toyota Corolla  car . Crapse died at the scene. Collins, who was wearing a seat belt was airlifted to Memorial University Medical Center with life threatening injuries. Chatham Metro Police dispatch had actually received seven calls of a vehicle traveling the wrong way down the interstate just before the call came in about the deadly crash. Police put out a BOLLO in Chatham County, but that Crapse would not have heard it. Law Enforcement in Bryan County has access to Chatham dispatch, but would have to manual switch the radio to hear it. A second Bryan County Deputy pulled Deputy Crapse from his vehicle after the accident. He had been following him home after their shift. Crapse started his law enforcement career working at a detention center in 1999, when he was about 19 years old and then became a deputy in 2006. Crapse was promoted from Cpl. to Sgt. about two hours after his death. An estimated 800 people attended the funeral service. Canine Seppe will be retired and given to Crapse's family. Crapse leaves behind a wife of eleven years Ashli Crapse and three children, one son Robert Warren “Robby” Crapse, Jr. and two daughters Sarah Lynn and Natalie Faye Crapse. Ages of his children are 6,8, and 10. A fund to benefit the family of Bryan County Deputy Sheriff Robert Crapse has been set up at the Heritage Bank, 16 Railroad Street East, in Pembroke. The bank may be contacted at 912-653-2265. You can donate to the "Crapse Family Memorial Fund", account #41894833 at any Heritage Bank. 

Patricia Ann Collins’ blood-alcohol level was approaching twice the legal limit when the car she was driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 collided with Bryan County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sgt. Bobby Crapse’s vehicle and killed him. A Traffic Crash Report  released on 7/17/12 showed that A blood sample taken from her at Memorial and tested by the GBI showed Collin’s blood-alcohol content was .139 after she arrived at the hospital. Driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more is considered driving under the influence in Georgia. On May 10, 2014,  Patricia Ann Collins, entered an open-ended guilty plea to charges stemming from the June 15, 2012, two-car crash that killed Bryan County sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Robert Warren “Bobby” Crapse.  Collins on 4/29/14 entered a plea of guilty to vehicular homicide and DUI charges stemming from the two-car crash that killed Bryan County sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Robert Warren “Bobby” Crapse. Chatham County Superior Court Judge Timothy R. Walmsley sentenced Patricia Ann Collins on 4/29/14 to 15 years in prison with 7 to serve for the 2012 traffic death of Bryan County sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Robert Warren “Bobby” Crapse. Collins is to have no contact with the victim’s family and undergo continued evaluation for substance abuse. Collins’ blood alcohol level was a .138 and earlier had a registered .185 at the hospital. It is illegal to drive in Georgia with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or greater.

Sean Brazas, 26, U.S. Navy Master at Arms 2nd Class, died on May 30, 2012. Brazas arrived in Afghanistan on May 1, his birthday,  and was killed by a single bullet while helping a fellow serviceman into a helicopter during "combat operations in Panjwa'l, Afghanistan. Brazas's working dog and partner, Sicario, was reportedly treated for heat exhaustion that day but was not injured in the ambush attack. Originally he is from Greensboro, NC. In April, just before the pair deployed, Brazas and Sicario went through the Inter-Service Advance Skills K9 course, the three-week, Marine-run training program based out of Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, AZ. Upon completion of the course the pair received high honors, claiming the Top Dog Award. Brazas was assigned to Naval Base Kitsap Security Detachment in Bremerton, Wash. Sean Brazas was buried June 19, 2012 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia with approximately 150 in attendance.  Approximately fifteen Navy Military Working Dogs were at attendance at his funeral. Brazas is survived by his wife, Allie Marie Brazas, and their 13-month-old daughter, Addisen Jade Hasenwinkel, both of Bremerton, WA. The family requests that donations in his name be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Sgt. Dick Alson Lee Jr.

Military canine handler, Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr, 31, was killed on April 26, in Afghanistan along with his bomb-detecting dog, a German shepherd named Fibi . Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr., had been in Afghanistan 23 days and was on his deployment's first mission. few weeks ago to handle dogs trained to sniff for explosives. He was killed when a vehicle he was riding in encountered an improvised explosive device. He was killed while serving in Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan. Also Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston died from injuries with Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr. who was also in the vehicle when they struck an improvised explosive device. Lee, 31, had signed up for the Army during his senior year at Keystone Heights High, aiming at a career as a military policeman when he graduated in 2000. He was 12 years into his service, he planned to stay until he could retire, then find work as a police officer. Lee was assigned to the 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, part of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in Sembach, Germany. He is survived by his wife, Katherine G. Lee, and two sons, David and Joshua, in Germany and were from of Orange Park, Fla. Approximately five hundred people attended his service. Donations for the family may be made to the Sgt. Lee Memorial Fund established at Capital City Bank by the American Legion Keystone-Melrose Post 202.
 

Scott Dietz, 60, died of a heart attack.  He was a retired police canine handler who worked in the 16th and 20th police districts. He later worked at O’Hare Airport with  his trusted bomb-sniffing dog Bart investigating unattended luggage and stalled vehicles. He was a dog handler at O’Hare until his retirement nearly two years ago. They were often called on to sweep Air Force One and VIP motorcades for explosives  for U.S. presidents and vice presidents, and kings and queens.  Other police K9 officers paid tribute to him by bringing their partners to Cooney’s Funeral Home. He and Bart, a yellow Labrador retriever, were inseparable and even retired together. So it was fitting that Bart stayed next to his master’s body at the funeral parlor. Mr. Dietz is also survived by his children, Christopher and Colleen.

 

Sgt. Scott Tatrow, 46, with the Allegan County Sheriff's Department died unexpectedly after being rushed from his Wayland home by ambulance to Metropolitan Hospital with a very high temperature of 107 degrees on 4/14/12. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1:15 a.m. Tatrow was a decorated and skilled officer who served as a K9 Dog handler, Tactical Team (SWAT) member, Michigan Sheriff's Association Mission Team Investigator and was part of the original Allegan County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. His work was also recognized with many awards including a 2003 letter of Commendation for Law Enforcement Service, a 2004 letter of appreciation for years of service to the Tactical Team, a 2007 letter of Commendation for Law Enforcement Service, and 2009 Allegan County Sheriff's Office Certificate of Professional Excellence. Sgt. Tatrow was a handler for K9 Jock, a Belgian Malinois, who earned the reputation as being one of the top narcotic detector dogs in the nation. Tatrow had recently returned from a trip. After he was taken to the hospital, firefighters went to Tatrow's home dressed in HazMat gear to remove clothing and other items to have them checked amid concerns that an infection may have contributed to his death.  An autopsy performed showed that he died from E. coli stemming from a urinary tract infection. Sgt.Tatrow was a 19-year veteran of the sheriff's office, joining the staff March 22, 1993.  Tatrow is survived by his wife Lynn of 22 years and two children, Dekota Tatrow and Jessica Lambright. Memorial Contributions may be made to "Thin Blue Line" of Michigan.

Deputy Jim St Pierre died of a heart attack on the morning of 3/24/12 in Tarin Kowt in southern Afghanistan. He worked for the Pasco Sheriff's Department in Florida and had worked with a few K9 partners. He worked with his first K9 “Bullet” in 1986 and both responded   to an emergency situation at a house to calm Herman Hendrix, a 62-year-old man who had a lengthy criminal record. He was drunk and threatening violence. He pointed a shotgun at deputies and ran behind a shed. St. Pierre unleashed Bullet, an 80-pound German shepherd. St. Pierre, then 26 and in only his third year on the job, heard another blast. He expected Hendrix had shot his dog, and suddenly the gunman came around the corner of the shed. St. Pierre, ordered the man to drop the gun. When Hendrix refused, the deputy St. Pierre shot six times from 15 feet. Hendrix died at the scene. K9 Bullet sustained a minor pellet wound. In September 1993, he and his second canine partner, Puma, tracked a man wanted in New Port Richey in two stabbings. The man lunged at them with a razor-blade knife, slashing both. Puma's days as a police dog were done, though he continued to live with the St. Pierres. He was hired by American K-9 Detection Services to work with dogs trained to root out narcotics. He is survived by his ex wife Tina and children, Angie, Timmy and Kalah. St. Pierre was returning to Florida in 56 days.

Jerome "Jerry" Larson, 68, died on January 24, 2012, at home after a battle with cancer. He served in the Army, 101st Airborne Division, where he earned both Airborne and Ranger tabs. He had spent much of his life handling and training police dogs, and serving as a mentor to the next generation of handlers. In 1976 he took the initiative to acquire and train 2-year-old German Shepherd, Joe, and talked the department into adding him to the force.  Larson and Joe worked some memorable cases in their five-or-so years together on the Duluth police force.  In 1981, after Joe started to slow down, Larson retired his K-9 partner. He founded the Police K-9 Association for Duluth and became the first K-9 Officer in Duluth history. He was thoroughly respected throughout the county for his knowledge, skill, and experience working with police K-9s. Many of the K-9s he trained became nationally known for their excellent work within Police K-9 Association. After Larson retired from the force in 1990, he still trained and mentored other dogs and handlers. In 1992, Larson was brought out of retirement to conduct the training for his police department. Many said some techniques Larson taught back then were ahead of their time, and picked up by other departments years later. He is survived by a daughter, Wanda, and two sons, Jerry and Scott. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his name to the Duluth Police K-9 Fund, Attn: Gordon Ramsay, at 211 W. 1st. St., Duluth MN, 55802.

Retired Renton Police Sergeant Mark Day, 62, died on December 22, 2011, following a fifteen year battle with cancer. At age 38, he made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement. Sergeant Day graduated first in class overall in 1987 from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Law Enforcement Academy, and joined the Renton Police Department later that year. Sergeant Day worked for the Renton Police for 23 years, retiring October 31, 2010. During his career Sergeant Day rose through the ranks, eventually becoming an Acting Commander and ultimately a Sergeant in the Investigations Division. Sergeant Day was selected by the Renton Police Department as the Employee of the Quarter twice: first in 1997, and again in 2008. In 1990 Sergeant Day was awarded a position on the Canine Unit, and was assigned a German Shepherd puppy named Buck as part of the City’s “Puppy Program.” K9 Officer Buck partnered with Sergeant Day until 1997, when the Buck retired from the police force to live out his days with the Day family. Sergeant Day went on to lead and train the Renton Police Department Canine Teams, ultimately becoming a Master Canine Trainer in 2001. The dynamic duo of Day and Buck arrested over 200 suspects including a person who kidnapped a four-year-old and two homicide suspects, one in Tukwila another in Seattle. Buck passed away on July 9, 2001 also from cancer. A book was written about Day and Buck both dealing with cancer at the same time, with the animal dying in his arms. Ted Koppel, formerly of ABC-TV's "Nightline," interviewed him after learning that Day was going to have another of his tracking dogs blessed at his Catholic church, which stirred some national controversy. Sergeant Day graduated from Renton High School in 1968. While at Renton, Day was student body president his senior year, chosen for the high school All-American Football Team in 1967, and was captain of the football and track teams in both 1967 and 1968.  He earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Washington and played with Stanford's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jim Plunkett. Sergeant Day is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Marcia Day; his three grown children: Natalie , Kyle , and Aaron.

Darren Kunz, 40, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, passed away on 2/17/11 under the care of Lakeland Hospice at Sheridan House after nearly a year long battle with lung and brain cancer. Darren attended Alexandria Technical College, graduating with top honors from the Law Enforcement Program in 1997. After school, Darren worked part time for the Pelican Rapids Police Department and later the Fergus Falls Police Department. A short time later, Darren went to work for the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department full time. Darren was a SWAT Team member and instrumental in bringing in the departments first narcotics-only canine, closing several cases and winning numerous awards. Darren won a Meritorious Service Award from the Chiefs of Police for his part in dealing with a chainsaw-wielding suspect. Darren is survived by his wife, Beth, his daughter Elizabeth, 2, step daughters, Nichelle, 16, and Chelsea,10, step son, Nathan, 14, and his beloved K9, Nijka. Anyone wishing to contribute can send donations to: Beth Kunz, 514 West Laurel, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

Corporal Rohan Richardson, of the Royal Police Force, died on December 6, 2011 at Mount St John’s Medical Centre  after suddenly falling ill.  Richardson was found when Richardson’s fiancée and  live-in companion, also a member of the force, was trying to get a hold of him but was unable to do so. The woman had  forgotten her cell phone at home and wanted him to deliver it to her. After calling his phone for some time without answer, the female officer asked her daughter to go to the house to check on the police corporal. It was at this time that Richardson was found in the bathroom by his stepdaughter lying on the bathroom floor conscious at the time but unable to communicate. He might have fallen and hit his head. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was summoned to the scene. He was rushed to Mount St John’s Medical Centre, where he was later pronounced dead. Corporal Richardson headed the Canine Unit since its establishment over three years ago.

 

 

Navy Seal John Douangdara

 

Officer Roy Sims, 51, was struck and killed on a motorcycle on 8/5/11 while escorting a hearse during a funeral. He was off duty and on private detail at the time. At 11:39 a.m. Officer Sims had just cleared an intersection and was accelerating to get to the front of the line of cars when the hearse make a right turn and hit Ofc. Sims’ Police motorcycle  at Gate of Heaven Cemetery entrance on Montgomery Road. The impact threw Officer Sims  27 feet and his head struck a curb, sustaining significant head trauma.  Sims was alert and talking to rescue workers immediately after the accident.   He was transported by ground to Bethesda North Hospital. And was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. Roy worked for the Covington Police Department beginning Sept. 22, 1988 where he was a K9 Handler through Sept. 1, 2008, retiring as a Sergeant. He then started work as an  Officer for the Northern Kentucky University Police Department . Sims' personnel file was filled with commendations and letters of appreciation for his service in both the military and in law enforcement. He served in the United States Armed Forces and was a Gulf War Veteran. When his K9 partner "Cliff" died after working with him for seven years, Officer Sims laid his canine officer pins on the dog's coffin at the memorial service for Cliff.  Sergeant Sims final act of service to his community was to donate his tissue and organs in the hopes of improving or extending the life of another. He was a Schutzhund Trainer  Officer Sims is survived by his wife, Lori Brockell Sims, twin sons Matthew and Daniel, Ryan, Cory and daughter Emily Sims. . A fund made to Roy Sims Memorial Fund has been set up through the Bank of Kentucky.

Trooper Fred Guthrie Jr.

A judge legally declared him dead in September of 2011. At a funeral service on Dec. 14, 2011, a casket was buried that held memorabilia of the trooper, as well as the cremated remains of K9 Reed. Officers  carried baskets filled with yellow tennis balls into the church. Guthrie had used tennis balls to train Reed. After the service, many of the law enforcement officers joined a procession that traveled nearly 80 miles to the Knob Noster Cemetery in Knob Noster. The procession, led by police motorcycles with emergency lights flashing, included Guthrie’s truck and boat.  

The body of Trooper Fred Guthrie Jr. was found January 12, 2012 , approximately 2:00 p.m. in a brush pile near the spot where the remains of his canine partner, Reed, were found. Guthrie's body was found about 200 to 300 yards from where he disappeared over five months earlier. Trooper Guthrie was unearthed from “several feet” of sand by a crew from Hill Brothers Construction, a company that had been contracted by the Missouri Department of Transportation to rebuild the highway and fill a four-acre gap in Missouri Highway 111 with silt from nearly 44,000 acres of flooded farmland.

Sgt.  Christopher M. Wrinkle

Deputy Bryan P. Gross, 29, died while on duty on 7/28/11, three days before his 30th birthday, after responding to an emergency call about a person being swept away in the North Platte River. He drowned while participating in an effort to rescue a juvenile female who had been reported struggling in the river about 5 p.m. The 14 year old girl was in town for a 4-H fair. She was distraught with her boyfriend, and she jumped in the river. The girl entered the waterway near the Douglas Yellowstone Bridge, which joins both sides of Douglas, 50 miles east of Casper. Gross had entered into the river from one side while several others swam in from the other. After the girl was rescued about a mile downstream by Douglas Police Officer Jeremiah Owens along with two citizens, Keith Thompson, 19, and Lane Morgan, 16, from the river. Then upon a personnel check with those involved in the rescue, some concern was raised after Deputy Gross failed to report in and a search was started to locate him forty five minutes later. His vehicle was located on Pearson Street near the river, and his vest, boots, shirt and duty belt were located a short distance away near the river. The girl after being rescued  was taken to Memorial Hospital and remained   hospitalized. The North Platte River was higher than normal following heavy snows last winter and the river was running at 6,620 cubic feet per second at a nearby gauging station. The flow averages only 2,110 cfs on the same date over the past 60 years. People with expertise participating in the search and utilizing everything at their disposal were divers, people on jet skis, other water craft, along with planes, National Guard helicopter,  a Black Hawk helicopter from Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, teams of cadaver dogs,  and about fifty law enforcement that walked along the river. Deputies remained stationed on two bridges during night time and used searchlights powered by generators to maintain a watch on the river. Deputy Gross's K9 partner "Gus" was also used in the search to try and find his handler. Deputy Gross's body was recovered from the waters of the North Platte River in Douglas approximately 66 hours later by divers on 7/31/11 at 11:20 a.m. between the I-25 Bridge site and Anderson Dairy Bridge, 1.5 miles downstream from where he  was last seen entering the river. Deputy Bryan Gross is being hailed as a hero for attempting to save the girl from the high-flowing North Platte River in the town of Douglas. Deputy Gross had worked at the police department as a drug officer, handling a narcotic canine. Gross had been with the Converse County Sheriff's Office for approximately three months. Prior to joining the sheriff's office, he had been a member of the Douglas Police Department.  His K9 partner was "Gus". Deputy Gross is survived by his wife, Amy Spruiell Gross who he married 27 days earlier. Donations to the family of the fallen deputy can be made at the Converse County Bank, 322 Walnut Street, Douglas, 82633

Maurice Connor, 72, and Jared Engleman, 28, who were accused of facilitating the death of a Berks County sheriff's deputy Kyle Pagerly, ended in October of 2013 with mistrials for both in Berks County. Pretrial publicity forced the cases to be moved to another venue. Jurors will be selected for the trials again for both  on March 4, 2014 and Senior Judge John Uhler will preside over both cases in the Northampton County Courthouse. The trials will run back to back. Berks County officials charged the two men for allegedly helping Matthew Connor acquire the assault rifle he used to fatally wound Berks County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Pagerly. Authorities believe Maurice Connor gave his 25-year-old son, Matthew Connor a handgun and $200 to buy a rifle. Engleman of Shoemakersville, Pa., allegedly sold Matthew Connor the AK-47 he used to kill Pagerly.

During Maurice Connor's trial on March 4, 2014, after the trooper's testimony, the trial went on a two-hour break. After it reconvened Maurice Connor was willing to accept a no-contest plea bargain. Maurice Connor's plea agreement was to a charge of providing a firearm to a felon. By not contesting the allegation, he acknowledged that prosecutors could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt and treated the same as a guilty plea when the defendant is sentenced. In return for the deal, prosecutors agreed to drop additional charges, including illegal possession of a firearm and conspiracy to illegally possess a firearm, among others. York County Senior Judge John Uhler delayed sentencing until a pre-sentence report can be completed on Maurice Connor's background.

Sgt.  Aaron J. Blasjo

Lance Corporal Peter J. Clore, 23, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, was killed by enemy small arms fire on May 28 while serving in Afghanistan. He was a certified Explosives Detector Dog Handler, a position that put him ahead of his unit as they made their patrol. Clore and his Military Working Dog, Duke, were leading a unit in seeking out improvised explosive devices when he was shot by small-arms fire. His Military Working Dog, Duke, survived. He enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. His first deployment came in 2009 as part of the 22nd Military Expedition Unit, Detachment A. In January, 2010, Peter was deployed to Haiti to assist in providing earthquake relief. Later in the year, he became a certified dog handler for the Marine Corps, preparing for the deployment to Afghanistan in March of 2011. Memorial contributions be made to the Peter Clore Memorial Fund in care of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

Maryland State Trooper, Shaft S. Hunter, 39, died in the line of duty when his police car slammed into a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 at 2:40 a.m. while pursuing a speeding motorcyclist. The patrol car hit the rear of the tractor trailer and then traveled down the side of the trailer, coming to rest near the front of the trailer. The accident happened on I-95 South near the entrance of a rest stop south of route 32 in Howard County. Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, Albert Sandino, 46, of California was not injured in the crash. He had been parked for about 15 minutes as he checked for directions. Sandino was pulling a trailer of household bleach from Aberdeen, Md., to Virginia. The motorcyclist, who was described as wearing a white helmet, has not been located. Hunter was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Hunter joined the state police 11 years ago, after a stint with the Marines. The state police recruited him out of the Marine Corps. He was elected president of the 114th Trooper Candidate Class and spoke at his academy class graduation in June 2000. He went on to become Trooper of the Year, and worked with a task force that played a key role in catching the D.C. snipers. Hunter did moonlighting as a security guard at restaurants, stores and movie theaters to provide for his six children. Hunter was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and graduated from St. Joseph's in 1990. Hunter, then a starting defensive back and running back, on Cadets teams that won back-to-back state titles in 1989 and `90, when he was a junior and senior. He held a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from St. Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina. After college, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served from 1994 to 2000. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps with the rank of captain.. When his police dog, Bear, was recently retired from the force and Hunter took it home to live with his family. Hunter’s casket was carried to its final resting place by U.S. Marines. A traditional police burial was held for Trooper Hunter which included bagpipe players, a gun salute and an honor guard presentation at the Fallen Heroes Memorial section of the Timonium cemetery.   His German Sheppard, Bear, was brought to the funeral as well. Bear, 8, retired from police duty in 2009.   His children were ages 4 to 19.  All donations will be used to provide for the education of Hunter's six children. To donate to The Hunter  Children's Scholarship Fund donations can be sent to any M&T Bank branch in Maryland or can be mailed to M&T Bank, 207 Bowie Road, MD 20707.

Captain John Albert “Cal” Struk, Maine State Prison-retired, 67, died April 19, 2011, at his home following an extended illness, his loving family. For more than 23 years, he served as a corrections officer at Maine State Prison, retiring as a captain in 2003. He was a founding member and team leader for the MSP K9 Unit. While serving that unit his most special dog was his partner, Mac, a bloodhound who specialized in mantracking/search and rescue. He served several years with the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He is survived by his wife, Joy Ellen Mansfield Struk and three daughters, Jennifer S. Struk, Teresa M. Fish, and Karen E. Struk. Honors were rendered by the Maine State Prison Honor Guard. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division Inc., 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086; or the Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Sergeant Ian Jones, 53, a member of West Mercia Police’s Dog Section, died suddenly from heart problems on March 2, 2011.  Sgt. Jones had been a member of the force for 25 years. He is survived by his wife Carol and five children, Sam, Mark, Hannah, Jodie and Zoe. Sgt.  Sgt Jones’ two police dogs – Dig, a general purpose dog who retired years ago but stayed with the family and Bertie, a drug dog who he helped train from a puppy – were at the funeral.

Lance Corporal Liam Richard Tasker

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, from Kirkcaldy in Scotland, was killed in the Afghanistan War by a snipers bullet in Helmand Province on 3/1/11 and his springer spaniel Theo died a few hours afterwards from a seizure, some say from a broken heart. The inseparable pair worked together searching for hidden bombs and weapons. L/Cpl Tasker, of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, was on patrol with Theo when he was engaged in a fire fight and was struck and killed instantly. He joined the army in 2001 and was originally a vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers then transferred to follow his passion for dogs in the Royal Army Vetinary Corps in 2007 where he became a star trainer. In 2010, he was posted to 104 Military Working Dog Squadron, St Georges Barracks, North Luffenham, Rutland, part of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment. He deployed to Afghanistan on September 8, 2010 as an Arms and Explosives Search dog handler and was attached to 1st Battalion Irish Guards on 19 February 2011.  Lance Corporal Tasker and K9 Theo had been in Afghanistan for almost six months, uncovering roadside bombs and weapons in a dusty, dangerous daily routine.  He and his dog had more operational finds than any individual team has had in Afghanistan to date and he saved many lives as a result of this. Twenty two-month-old Theo had discovered a record-breaking 14 secret caches in five months. The ministry said then that Theo had been so successful, finding 14 hidden bombs and weapons caches, that his tour of duty had been extended by a month.  During the funeral route the mourners threw red, yellow and white roses onto the roof of the hearse which contained the coffin draped in a Union Jack. Many, from across the country, took along their dogs and lined the streets to pay their special respects to the army handler. The ashes of his Springer spaniel had been returned to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire on the same flight from Afghanistan. Theo's ashes were not included in the cortege. A dozen dog handlers from police and prison forces around the country were among the crowds who also lined the streets. Theo's ashes are to be presented to L/Cpl Tasker's family at a later date during a private ceremony. Theo was the sixth British military dog killed in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001. Theo was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal known as the animals' Victoria Cross, at Wellington Barracks, London. The award is the highest accolade any animal can receive in recognition of devotion to duty in saving human life while serving in military conflict. It was established by the veterinary charity's founder, Maria Dickin, in 1943. L/Cpl Tasker’s father mentioned that his son Liam had been due to leave Afghanistan soon and was worried about being separated from K9 Theo but said now he doesn’t have to worry about that anymore, they will always be together. L/Cpl. Tasker is survived by his his mother Jane Duffy, his father Ian Tasker, his brother Ian, and his two sisters Laura and Nicola and his fiancee Leah Walters, age 33.

 

Cpl. Joseph "Marc" Matthews, 50, of Hinesville  passed away on Feb. 16, 2011, at Candler Hospital after a short illness. After graduation, he joined the United States Army where he would serve 21 years as a military police officer. Marc was a kennel master and K-9 handler. After his retirement in 1999, he worked for the U.S. Marshal Services at the federal courthouse in Savannah before joining the Hinesville Police Department in 2001. During his time of employment with the Hinesville Police Department he also worked as an officer, was promoted to the rank of corporal and was a K-9 handler. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mi Suk Matthews, daughter, Ashley Matthews, son William Matthews and his faithful K-9 partner, Brad. Remembrances may be made to Hinesville Korean Full Gospel Church, 758 Tupelo Trail, Hinesville, GA. 31313 or First United Methodist Church of Hinesville, 203 N. Main St., Hinesville, GA 31313.
 

Col. Greg Malloy, 44, of DeFuniak Springs, a Florida corrections officer, was shot and killed on 2/2/11 while assisting in a manhunt. Malloy was working as part of the Holmes Correctional Institution's K-9 tracking team, which was assisting the Holmes County Sheriff's Office in the search for Wade Andrew Williams, an ex convict. Williams, 35, was wanted in the double homicide of his parents, Bruce and Sharon Williams in their Cottondale home in Florida. Both parents were killed on 1/26/11. A warrant had also been issued for Wade Williams for his arrest on a charge of grand theft auto. Wade Williams then fled to the Choctawhatchee River Management Area where he burned his father’s truck.  Williams subsequently camped in the management area evading arrest until confronted by a hunter, Thomas Crews, at approximately 8:00 a.m. when he came upon Wade Williams laying out some laundry at a  camp site.  When Thomas Crews encountered a man meeting Williams’ description and started talking to him. Wade Williams said he was going to kill him and fired eight shots from a .22-caliber rifle in Thomas Crews direction and Thomas Crews took cover behind a tree and returned on shot from his .30-06 rifle but missed. Wade Williams than ran off into the woods. Thomas Crews suffered a minor chest wound from shrapnel. Thomas Crews then called 911 and notified police of the incident and about  20 minutes later approximately 40 officers and a helicopter were searching for Wade Williams in the wooded area with a  nearly impassable swamp near a river. Thomas Crews helped police in a search for Williams because he was familiar with the area. After approximately one hour the tracking team encountered gun fire and Col. Greg Malloy and Wade Williams were both shot during the exchange of gunfire. Wade Williams was killed and Malloy was loaded on to a boat, then transported to a landing where a medical helicopter was waiting. Malloy, was airlifted to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, where he later died. A second K9 officer, Arthur Teal,  was also wounded by a bullet that grazed him and was taken by ambulance for treatment. The hunt for Wade Williams had taken searchers to Alabama and Georgia, and multiple agencies were involved in the manhunt. Malloy started working at the Holmes County Correctional Institution in Bonifay for the Florida Department of Corrections in 1988 when he was 22 years old. He spent 19 years in Oka-loosa County. He also worked for the Washington Correctional Institution, now called the Northwest Florida Reception Center, and the To-moka Correctional Institution in Volusia County. He was promoted to colonel, the highest corrections officer designation, in Holmes County on July 23, 2010. Approximately fifteen hundred people attended the funeral and at the grave site bagpipes were played and a 21 gun salute was given. Col. Malloy leaves behind his wife Donna Sue Malloy and a 12 year old daughter, Payton Sue Malloy. Holmes Correctional Institute has set up a memorial fund for Colonel Malloy’s daughter and memorials may be made in Colonel Malloy’s memory to Holmes Correctional Institute, 3142 Thomas Drive, Bonifay, Florida 32425.

Wade Andrew Williams, who was shot and killed on 2/2/11, previously had a record and had been released from the Tallahassee Work Release Center in August 2009. He was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of several burglary and grand theft charges in 2005 and 2006.

Hydra Lacy had a long record that includes convictions for armed robbery and sexual battery. At age 17, Hydra Lacy Jr. was sentenced to four years for grand theft auto, attempted murder, aggravated assault and resisting arrest with violence. He served two years. Seven months after his release, he was arrested for kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, sexual battery with a weapon or force and battery on a law enforcement officer. A 16-year-old High School student told police she and Hydra Lacy dated briefly in 1991, but she broke it off. A few months later, she said, Lacy grabbed her outside her apartment one night, forced her into his car, then hit and raped her repeatedly. That earned him a 15-year prison sentence. He was released in 2001 after serving nine. He was listed as a sex offender with the state and had failed to register in December of 2010 with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department as required. Deputies had been looking for him since then, and the sheriff's and police departments had issued bulletins on 1/21/11 for authorities to be on the lookout for Lacy. He was convicted of a car jacking in Jefferson County near Tallahassee when he was just 17 years old. He did time in 1990's after being convicted of aggravated assault, grand theft and resisting arrest with violence in Pinellas county just after his 18th birthday.  Lacy was sent back to state prison less than seven months after he got out, and this time he'd spend nine years in prison before being released . In 1992 he was convicted of sexual battery, false imprisonment of a child under 13 and again violence against law enforcement . He was granted a conditional release from state prison March 4, 2001. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, he violated the terms of his conditional release and returned to prison May 29, 2008. But the Parole Commission released him less than a week later. His conditional release supervision ended in November of 2008. In June 2009, he was back in court in Pinellas County and charged with aggravated domestic battery for beating his wife Christine Lacy, and false imprisonment. He admitted attacking his wife with two swords. Her injuries included being stabbed in the face and leg, a broken nose, two black eyes, cuts and bruises on the back of her head.  He broke several liquor bottles over the victim's head and was out of work for about six weeks. Lacy was ordered to have no contact with his wife, but he ignored the order and called his wife from jail at least 15 times. He bonded out of jail but skipped a court date on November 1, 2010. The court sent an electronic warrant for his arrest to the sheriff the next day, court records show. Given his record, a conviction could have sent him back to prison.  Hydra Lacy's brother, Jeff Lacy, is a professional boxing champion.

Lance Cpl. William “Billy” H. Crouse IV

Lance Cpl. William “Billy” H. Crouse IV, 22, and his K-9 officer, Cane, were killed on 12/21/10 in Afghanistan. Crouse,  and his K9 partner "Cane" were killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol. At the scene of the blast Crouse was conscious enough to ask for his bomb dog, Cane, to be transported with him on the helicopter but  they  could not save K9 Cane. Crouse died at a hospital from cardiac arrest after being taken there from the field. It was Crouse's first tour of duty; he had been in Afghanistan for only six weeks when the blast occurred, and it was Cane's third tour of duty. The two were in Helmand province and assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He joined the Marine Corps in November 2007 and was promoted to lance corporal August 1, 2008. He was born in Angola, Indiana and later moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and then to Clinton, South Carolina, in the mid 1990's with his family. He earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and was posthumously awarded a purple heart for his service. His funeral was held on 12/29/10  with  a burial in Covington Memorial Gardens with full military honors rendered by the U.S. Marine Corps. Memorial Donations may be made to: the Arthritis Foundation, Fairview Missionary Church, Stroh Church of Christ, the Wounded Warrior Project or the Save the Children Organization.   

Eutaw  Police Chief Tommy Summerville, 56, died from complications during heart surgery on 12/9/10 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham. He had been on the force for the past 33 years. He joined the Eutaw Police Force in 1977. He was certified as an NRA Police Firearms Instructor, and he was chosen as an "Outstanding Young Man of America" in 1986. In March 1998, Tommy was named Assistant Chief of Police. In March 2000, he was certified by the Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Training Center and became the narcotics dog handler. In September 2007, Tommy became the Chief of Police. He was the department's first K-9 officer and for several years he and his K-9 partner "Rain" visited many schools and gave demonstrations to the students. He was a dog handler before he made chief and kept on as a dog handler because that is what he loved doing. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Leavelle Summerville and his son, James Lowery Summerville. The family requests that donations be made to the city of Eutaw earmarked to purchase a new narcotics dog.

         

         

         

Sgt. Roderick Dalton, 45, died unexpectedly at Community General Hospital  on 11/16/10 after a short illness. was one of the commanding officers of the department's K-9 Unit. Sgt Dalton served the Syracuse Police Department for the last 22 years.  He leaves behind his K9 partner Niko. Memorial contributions in memory of Rod may be made to Syracuse Police department P.B.A., 511 S. State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.

Sgt. John Jeffrey Gates, 64, of Cicero, NY, died at home on 10/10/10. He was recognized as one of the state's founding fathers of modern police dog training. He was renowned for helping the state develop its canine training and certification and also for helping to create the canine units for the Syracuse police and other agencies. In the early 1980s, Gates became handler for Central New York's first police dog, Shamus, Gates trained more than 200 dogs in his career and traveled to Europe to study the dogs in their natural environment. He also helped train police dogs in the Czech Republic and Israel, as well as across the United States. Dogs that Gates trained assisted in the seizure of millions of dollars in drug money and the arrest of hundreds of criminals. Sgt. Jeff Gates, is 32-year member of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and retired from there in 2006.  John was an Air Force veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. Gates' ashes was spread along the canine training course in Camillus, and the dogs and their handlers  passed by to offer tribute. Sgt. John Gates is survived by his wife, Donna (Sobello) Gates; two sons, Christopher (Toni) Gates and Matthew (Jeanna).

 

Staff Sgt. Brian Michael Carragher, 29, was shot to death with a 9mm semi-automatic on 9/18/10 shortly after 5:30 p.m. in front of his California City home in the 8900 block of Walpole Avenue as he tried to tell a man to leave his home.  Carragher was found bleeding severely in the street and was airlifted to Antelope Valley Hospital and pronounced dead there about an hour later. Carragher was shot at five times and struck four times.  Staff Sgt. Brian Carragher was shot three times in the back and once in the back of his upper right arm. The suspect, 26-year-old Timothy Aaron Atkins had pulled a gun from his pickup truck, shot Carragher and then fled the scene. Officers later found his vehicle in the 20300 block of 87th Street and arrested him without incident. Atkins ex-girlfriend, Brooke Youngo, was renting space in Carragher's home along with her new boyfriend, Matthew Pearman. Pearman was a security officer at Edwards Air Force Base. Atkins drove over to the home to speak with Youngo and he brought a gun with him in case he wanted to shoot Pearman. Carragher was at a local motorcycle shop with his girlfriend, MIchelle Jones, at the time Atkins came to his home. Pearman answered the door and told Atkins he could talk with Youngo, but he had to go across the street to do so. Atkins and Youngo went near Atkins' pickup and talked. Pearman went to the motorcycle shop to tell Carragher what was going on. Carragher returned home and began talking to Atkins, telling him to leave. That's when Atkins reached in the truck and fired at Carragher. He joined the Air Force in 2003 to become a K-9 officer. Carragher was a military working dog handler assigned to the 95th Security Forces Squadron and stationed at Edwards Air Force Base and had just returned home from his second tour in Iraq on August 1, 2010. Atkins also recently returned to California City after serving two tours in the Army in Iraq. Carragher and his wife, Jackie, bought the home on Walpole Drive around October 2009. Brian Carragher had filed for divorce on 9/16/10. He is survived by his wife of six years, Jackie, and twin four-year-old daughters Maddison and Hayley.  He is also survived by his military working dog, Eddy. "Because of his age, Eddy was soon to be retired and Sgt Carragher was going to adopt him. Donations can be made out for his daughters' college fund. Send Donations made out to Hayley and Maddison Carragher at Summit National Bank, P.O. BOX 395, Baggs, WY 82321.

Timothy Aaron Atkins was arrested on 9/18/10 and held without bail and charged with 1^st degree murder.  Atkins made his first court appearance on 9/21/10 for arraignment for the shooting death of Air Force Staff Sergeant Brian Carragher and was delayed until 9/29/10 and ordered held in jail on $1.5 million bail. On his court appearance on 9/29/10 Atkins pleaded not guilty and being represented by attorney Richard Terry . Further hearings were set Nov. 22 & 23, 2010. with  Atkins remaining in custody in lieu of posting $1.5 million bail. In March of 2012, Atkins pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, and a first-degree murder charge was dismissed. Atkins got credit for 679 days - 591 days for time served and 88 days for good behavior - as part of his six year sentence.

Sergeant Thomas Alexander was shot and killed on 9/11/10 while responding to a burglary in progress in Richland Parish. A woman had called 911 at 9:04 p.m. to report the sound of breaking glass. Sergeant Alexander, who was the closest officer to the location, despite the call coming from outside of the city limit responded at 9:15 p.m. Sergeant Alexander was the first officer to arrive at the scene and checked on the victim and entered the building without backup. Three suspects were hidden inside and ambushed Sergeant Alexander and opened fire as he conducted the search and approached a closet. Sgt. Alexander was shot numerous times and pronounced dead at the scene. Responding deputies heard the shots as they arrived on the scene and took one of the suspects, Robert J. Walker, who was hiding under a bed, into custody inside the home. The two other suspects, Anthony D. Oatis was arrested two hours later in Richland Parish and Richard L. Long was arrested the next day in Monroe were apprehended a short time later. He received many commendations and certificates of appreciation for his outstanding and dedicated service. Sergeant Alexander had served with the Rayville Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office for seven years. He is survived by his wife Mary Louise Alexander, and four daughters, Deborah Jackson (Willie), TaShekia V. Alexander, Amelia Alexander, and LaDeanna Davis along with his K9 partner "Stef". His son, Thomas Cherdale Alexander, preceded him in death. Over one thousand people attended Sergeant Thomas Alexander's funeral. 

Robert J. Walker, 52, of Rayville and Anthony D. Oatis, 30, and Richard L. Long, 33, both of Monroe, were arrested and indicted on first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, and aggravated burglary on 9/13/10 and are currently being held without bond. All three had previous records, Long has been arrested several times in Ouachita Parish on charges ranging from forgery to second-degree battery. Oatis has been arrested in Ouachita Parish on similar criminal charges as Walker and Long. On 10/20/10 Anthony D. Oatis entered his plea of not guilty. On 6/15/11 Robert Walker pled guilty in Fifth District Court to Second Degree Murder on the condition to cooperate in the prosecution of the pending cases against the alleged shooter Richard Long and co-defendant Anthony Oatis. Second Degree Murder carries life imprisonment without parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Bond was set for all three and are being held on $1.25 million bond. Robert Walker, pleaded guilty in June 2011 and received life in prison. On 1/13/14 Richard L. Long Jr., plead guilty in district court. Judge Terry Doughty then sentenced Long to life in prison without the benefit of parole or suspension. Anthony Oatis, who dropped off Richard Long and Robert Walker at a home to commit a burglary that went tragically wrong, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 21 years in prison by Judge Terry Doughty. Oatis never entered the home.

Sgt. Brigham Strole was killed after being thrown from his motorcycle while off duty at about 9 p.m. on 9/1/10 which happened one block from his home. There were no other vehicles involved and investigators think he might have hit the curb or a pot hole in the road. Strole was ejected from the motorcycle and airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where he died. The accident, which happened on Jordan Court just south of the intersection with Jonquil Avenue. Strole was not wearing a helmet. He was as a K-9 officer for seven years. He and his canine partner Blue were considered one of the top teams in the country, at one point ranked 13th nationally. Strole also served as a member of the SWAT team, as an instructor for firearms and defensive tactics, and as a field training officer. Sgt. Strole was a 20-year officer of the Lakeville Police Department and received numerous commendations and awards during his career. Strole leaves behind two teenage sons, Jacob and Jenna Strole and their mother, Lynn Strole. Memorials may be sent to the Sgt. Brigham Strole Memorial Fund, c/o M&I Bank, 17636 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044.

 

Maj. Paul A. Egli 

August 31, 2010 - Fort Stewart, Georgia  - Age 54

 

 

Paul Egli died 8/31/10 in his Fort Stewart, Georgia  apartment building 9727, after medical services received a 911 call.  Maj. Egli was to retire in just two weeks from the U.S. Army. Paul served proudly on the Franklin TN Police Department for 10 years from 1994-2004 where he was a K-9 officer with his partner Kahn. Winning awards at the National level, they were also recognized by the FBI for assisting in the capture of six escapees from Alabama known at the time as "The Alabama 6" in 2001. The duo was involved in the apprehension of several felons. Paul was selected as an assistant professor of military science in the ROTC Program at the University of Hawaii.  Egli was a major with the U.S. Army, and a military police officer. Egli joined the Army in 1981. He deployed twice, first in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm and most recently to Operation Iraqi Freedom and was last assigned to Fort Stewart, Ga. Paul was buried with full military honors. Donations may be made to any of the following charities that meant a lot to Egli: Seeing Eye Dog Organization; The American Heart Association; St Jude Children's Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Vicky Egli; children, Jon-Thomas Egli, Emma Egli, Katie Egli, and Erin Dolezal.

 

   

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey R. Standfest 

Jeff Standfest, 23, of China Township in St. Clair, Michigan, died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan on June 16, 2010. He was killed by an IED. Jeff Standfest was deployed in April for his first tour of duty. Standfest, recently returned to duty after suffering a concussion in an explosion in an incident that killed his bomb sniffing K9 in May of 2010. He had returned to duty with a new K9 in which he was killed in this incident. Jeff Standfest was a canine handler and a combat engineer. Standfest was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif. Standfest had been awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the NATO Medal. The Corporal had enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2008. He is the son of Detective Timothy Standfest, of the Clinton Township police who is a 25-year law enforcement veteran specializing in fraud investigations.

 Flyveroverkonstabel Martin Kristiansen  

Darren Smith 

Darren Smith, 26, a K-9 handler was killed along with his K9 Herbie, a 3 1/2 year old Collie Cross, by a road side bomb in Afghanistan while on patrol for his country of Australia on June 7, 2010. His friend, Jacob Moerland, 21, found the explosive device and sounded a warning. He then called up his friend Darren Smith along with his K9 partner Herbie.  As they approached the device, it detonated. A Taliban insurgent had detonated the device by remote control.  Both Darren Smith and Jacob Moerland were from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment. This was their first deployment for both soldiers. They were on a routine foot patrol in the remote Mirabad Valley. It was just before lunchtime when an improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated. Darren Smith was killed at the time of the explosion and Jacob Moerland  received emergency first aid from his patrol mates and was subsequently, aero-medical evacuated to a nearby International Security Assistance Force hospital. It took just 38 minutes for a US medivac chopper to get the Moerland to the Dutch-run and Australian-staffed field hospital at Camp Holland in Tarin Kowt where he died from his wounds. Smith's military career commenced as part of the Army Reserve enlisting November 29, 2001 and completing Recruit training in January 2002, serving as part of 3rd Field Squadron, South Australia.  Smith went on to complete his Combat Engineer suite of courses in 2004 and become part of the Australian Regular Army where he was posted to 1st Combat Engineer Regiment in Oct 2004. He completed a number of driver courses up to heavy vehicle and Armored Personnel Carrier.  He successfully completed his Explosive Detection Dog Handler course in December 2006. He completed his Junior Leader Course in November 2008. Smith was posted to 2 CER in January 2009.  He deployed in March 2010. As part of his tour he has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp International Campaign against Terrorism, NATO Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. He also has received his Return from Active Service Badge.  Smith has also been awarded the Australian Defense Medal. In recognition of the bond between the pair, Herbie was cremated in Afghanistan and his ashes returned to Smith's widow, Angela. Smith leaves behind his wife Angela and a 2-1/2 yr old son - Mason who live in Brisbane, Australia.

Officer Bill Evans, 38,  was shot and killed on May 20, 2010 in West Memphis, Arkansas during a traffic stop while "running drug interdiction" on Interstate 40. The events started when Evans stopped a white 1994 Plymouth Voyager minivan with Ohio plates at 11:36 a.m. traveling eastbound on I-40 at Airport Road and then exited the Interstate onto an off-ramp near College Avenue. Sgt. Brandon Paudert, 39, a back up officer arrived on the scene within moments of the traffic stop. The suspects in the white mini van exited the vehicle with AK 47 assault rifles and shot canine officer Bill Evans and his back up officer Sgt. Brandon Paudert. During the shooting canine officer Bill Evan's partner, K9 "Kilo", was in Evan's vehicle. Paudert, the son of West Memphis' police chief, died at the scene and Evans died at a hospital shortly after. Both officers were wearing their vests. The suspects, Jerry Kane, 45, and his son, Joseph Kane, 16, then drove off in the white mini van. About 90 minutes later, a minivan that had been seen leaving the shooting site was spotted in a parking lot of a nearby Wal-Mart. There, it was approached by Crittenden County Sheriff Dick Busby and Chief Enforcement Officer W.A. Wren, who were traveling in the same vehicle. Both officers were wounded in a gun battle initiated by the suspects. Sheriff Dick Busby was shot in the arm and Chief Enforcement Officer W.A. Wren was shot in the abdomen and air lifted to Regional Medical Center at Memphis, where they were in critical condition. Officer  Michael Neal, a Arkansas Fish and Game wildlife officer in his state truck, had rammed the suspect vehicle, preventing an exit of the suspects who were then shot and killed. Neal's bravery likely put a stop to a hail of gunfire that had already wounded Crittenden County Sheriff Dick Busby and his deputy chief, W.A. Wren.  The Kane's family dog "valor" who was in the white van with them was shot eight times died 3 days later. Services for the both officers were held at Lehr Arena four hours apart from each other. Officer Evans K9 partner "Kilo" attended the service along with thousands who paid their respect. Officer Evans was with West Memphis Police Department for nine years. Evans, a 38-year-old father of two who was engaged to be married. Donations can be made to Bill Evans & Brandon Paudert at Suntrust bank or Wachovia Bank.

Jerry Kane had a long history with police and recently complained about being busted at a "Nazi checkpoint" near Carrizozo, N.M., where court records show he spent three days in jail before posting a $1,500 bond on charges of driving without a license and concealing his identity. Warnings were given to officers on July 21, 2004, about Kane, saying he might be dangerous to law enforcement.  Kane had complained in July 2004 about being sentenced to six days of community service for driving with an expired license plate and no seat belt, saying the judge had tried to "enslave" him.  Kane added that he was a "free man" and asked for $100,000 per day in gold or silver.

Sheriff Deputy Ian Michael Deutch, 27, was shot and killed 4/26/10 in a casino parking lot in Nevada. Ian Deutch was driving with a field training officer when they responded after gunfire was first reported at a home a short distance from Terrible's Lakeside Casino & RV Park in Pahrump, Nevada. Sabrina Hepler had called 911 at 3:41 p.m. from her vehicle who told dispatchers that she was in a car and her boyfriend James Lacy Chaffin, 30, was in a pickup, following her and firing at her. She told dispatchers that she was going to the casino to escape him. Dispatchers told her not to do that because she would be heading away from sheriff's deputies who were going to try to pull Chaffin's truck over. She chose to park her vehicle and flee inside the casino anyway, with Chaffin following her. A short time later, Chaffin went back outside the casino, got into his vehicle and began driving around the parking lot. As Deutch and his field training officer were pulling up to the scene, they saw a parked, empty pickup in the parking lot with a white car pulling up in front of them. Because the girlfriend told dispatchers that Chaffin was driving a pickup and that she was driving a car, they got out of their department-issued pickup to look for the suspect inside the casino. But Chaffin was in the car, and in less than two seconds, he fired at least 11 rounds from an SKS Soviet 7.62x39mm caliber  semi-automatic rifle, which had a 30-round clip, striking Deutch five times piercing his body armor as he was just getting out of the driver's side -- three times in the chest and once each in the knee and pelvic area.  When the shooting happened both men were less than twelve feet apart from one another. Surveillance video of the incident showed there was little that could have been done to protect Deutch.  The shooting that killed Deutch was an unprovoked attack. Deputy Doug McKillips, 45, a seven-year department veteran, was with Deutch responding  in a marked sheriff's department pickup truck and escaped injury. A third deputy, Deputy Tom Klenczar, 39, a six-year veteran of the department arrived in a patrol vehicle and shot Chaffin four times in the back as Chaffin shot at Deutch killing the gunman at the scene. James Lacy Chaffin's girlfriend was not injured.  Deutch was flown by medical helicopter to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he underwent surgery but died approximately 9:00 p.m.  The whole disturbance began after Chaffin's ex-girlfriend,  refused to talk with Chaffin about the status of their relationship. She had been temporarily staying with a friend and his wife. About 3:30 p.m. she drove to the friends house on Cajon Lane, a block from the casino, to pick up the rest of her belongings. She was about to move to Arizona to stay with different friends,  A "calm, reasonable" Chaffin was waiting for Sabrina in her friends living room. Chaffin was under the impression that his girlfriend was willing to talk. When she refused, Chaffin took her keys and purse and refused to let her leave until she agreed to discuss their situation. He wanted to split everything down the middle because they had been together 12 years. She didn't want to give him a straight answer about if it was over or not, and started yelling and screaming getting Chaffin upset. She finally called police and fled in a co-worker's vehicle. An enraged Chaffin pursued her with a handgun, shooting out a tire and firing multiple shots through the vehicle's back window. A friend  tried to calm Chaffin but it was too late and Chaffin followed her to the casino. Deutch a staff sergeant and squad leader was a meritorious service medal winner and among 752 soldiers with the 1st Squadron, 221st Calvary who had just returned home 2 days earlier from Afghanistan identifying Taliban targets for artillery strikes outside combat outpost Nagil. Ian Deutch was a  ten-year veteran of the Nevada Army National Guard. Sheriff Deputy Ian Deutch joined the department as a patrol deputy on April 12, 2004 and six months later, he was transferred to the K-9 detail and was a canine officer until he was killed. Sheriff Deputy Ian Deutch  was one of Nye County's 108 sworn deputies to cover more than 18,000 square miles. He was assigned to K-9 Patrol with his faithful partner. About 1,000 people attended the memorial service. Deutch's flag-draped coffin was carried in the back of a pickup from the Nye County Sheriff's Office. "Taps" was played by a pair of buglers, riflemen on the roof of the church fired a 21-gun salute, a five-piece police band played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes and drums, and a police dispatcher went on the radio to broadcast that "K9-3," Deutch's call sign, was at the "end of watch."  K9 Chico attended the service of his handler and was given to Deputy Ian Deutch's family . Deputy Ian Deutch was cremated after the service.  Sheriff Deputy Deutch  left behind a wife, Vicky; a 5-year-old daughter, Savonya; and an 18-year-old stepson, Jonathan and his K9 partner "Chico". Ian and Vicky wed in March 2009, shortly before his deployment to Afghanistan. A memorial fund has also been set up under Deutch’s name at Nevada State Bank, 1301 S. Highway 160, under the account No. 0258040427.

 

Sgt. Sean Cuccaro, 45, died on 4/1/10.  Just two days after learning of cancer in his liver, Cuccaro was hospitalized March 26, and his condition deteriorated quickly. Cuccaro joined the Sebastopol Police Department on Jan. 31, 1984, when he was appointed a control aide, and on April 5 that same year, was appointed as a reserve officer taking on his first shift on April 26. He was promoted to dispatcher in July the following year, and finally entered the Police Academy January 1988. Upon his graduation in April, he was appointed a full-time officer. On Nov. 1, 2003, he was promoted to Corporal, and on Oct. 1, 2006, promoted to sergeant, a position he held until his retirement on Aug. 1, 2008 due to a back injury. He served with the Sebastopol Police Department for 25 years and received his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement at Santa Rosa Junior College. During his tenure with the SPD, Cuccaro also served as the K-9 officer with his partners Ike and Raydar. In 1994, Cuccaro was honored, as Sonoma County's Police Officer of the Year for rescuing a Sebastopol resident from a burning building. Approximately one thousand people attended his funeral along with 10 K9 units. He is survived by daughters Amanda Cuccaro and Ashley Cuccaro as well as his service canine, Raydar. Contributions to the Sonoma County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, 1451 Guerneville Road, Suite 220, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403, or to charity are requested.

Cpl. J.R. Searcy, 33, was finishing his 12 hour day shift  around 6 p.m. on  3/4/10  when he  arrived at the scene to back up another deputy . Searcy, who was off duty at the time, responded to a call .  He just finished his shift, but went out to assist a fellow deputy. He was responding to a call about a reported aggravated assault on Browning Road near Louisiana 34 in southwestern Ouachita Parish.  It was reported that a suspect, Michael Tanner, 26,  had tried to run people over with his vehicle. When the deputies arrived, they confronted the suspect standing outside of his vehicle. Corporal Searcy had his Taser in his hand, and ordered the suspect to put his hands up who was approximately 15 yards away. As the suspect raised his hands, he suddenly pulled  a .40 caliber handgun that he had concealed in the small of his back, and opened fire, striking Corporal Searcy twice.  Cpl. Searcy didn't have a chance to pull his weapon from his holster. The second deputy returned fire, killing the suspect. Corporal Searcy was taken to St. Francis Medical Center. One bullet went through the brain, and the other was lodged at the base of his brain. His spinal cord was severed. The bullet went in through the armhole of Searcy's bulletproof vest, and ricocheted through the top of his spinal cord. A brain scan conducted two days later found no activity and was pronounced dead around 10:40 p.m., two days later on 3/6/10. Searcy's family was making arrangements with the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency to allow the deputy to become an organ donor, and so the life support apparatus had remained on. Corporal Searcy had served  with  the Ouachita Parish  Sheriff's Office for eight years. He also served in the United States Air Force 4 years as a military police officer. He was also a successful business owner of C&K Searcy Enterprises, a lawn care business. Approximately 4,000 attended his funeral. Honor guards from Monroe, West Monroe, Louisiana State Police and the Sheriff's Office will participate in the funeral. Kilpatrick Funeral Home donated its services and the burial plot for Searcy. Mulhearn Funeral Home also offered to provide services. Forty K-9 officers and their dogs from various law enforcement agencies lined the cemetery road leading to the grave. The State Police Color Guard conducted a 21-gun salute for Searcy at the cemetery. Horse-mounted officers and K-9 officers were stationed at the cemetery. The U.S. Secret Service contacted President Barack Obama's office to get a letter from the president to present to Searcy's family. "J.R." has worked with the Secret Service when dignitaries came to town.   He is survived by  his  wife, Kerry, of nine years and  three  children, a son Justin, a daughter Maegan and step son Nicholas Lambert.  Donations to the Family of Corporal Searcy can be made at any Progressive Bank at any of the following locations, Monroe: 1411 North 19th Street or 1398 Lamy Lane, West Monroe: 3421 Cypress Street or 701 Trenton Street.,  Winnsboro: 301 Fair Avenue or Bossier: 2600 Beene Blvd with Account Number 4022289.

Michael Tanner has a lengthy record with the sheriff's office. The departments in Monroe and West Monroe had dealings with him many times. He has been arrested more than ten times.  His arrests include anything from drug possession to simple assault. Sept. 19, 2001 - Careless operation of a vehicle, May 30, 2002 - Speeding, June 19, 2002- Drug possession, June 21, 2002 - Careless operation of a vehicle, Dec. 12, 2002 - Illegal deer hunting, discharge of firearms, Oct. 17, 2003 - Following too closely, Jan. 14, 2004 - Reckless operation of a vehicle, June 23, 2004 - Drug possession, June 16, 2005 -  Speeding, July 12, 2006 - Obstructing the view of the driver, June 15, 2006 - Expired license plate, Nov. 8, 2006 - Failure to register, Nov. 29, 2006 - Driving while intoxicated, Feb. 13, 2008 - Criminal trespassing, Nov. 10, 2008 - Driving without proper equipment on vehicle, Nov. 13, 2008 - Illegal passing, June 14, 2009 - Disturbing the peace, Nov. 23, 2009 - Stop sign and yield sign, and Dec. 21, 2009 - Domestic abuse battery.  In December of 2009 Tanner was arrested for domestic abuse against his girlfriend.  She alleged he grabbed her throat and threatened to hit her. His court date on the domestic abuse battery charge was scheduled for March 30, 2010. In 2006, he was arrested for another domestic abuse charge against another girlfriend. In June of 2009 Ouachita Parish deputies picked Tanner up for aggravated assault with a knife, against his father. The two had an argument ending with Tanner pulling a knife on his father.  After initially entering a plea of innocent and failing to appear at one of the court dates, Tanner pleaded guilty to the charge. He paid a fine and courts costs totaling $296.

 

Captain Carrie Henger Neff, 54, died on March 5, 2010 at 1:30 a.m. after a 4 & 1/2 year battle with ovarian cancer, which was service-related. On May 18, 2010, the Los Angeles County Fire Department honored her and her K-9 partner, Sprocket, on what would would have been both of their birthdays. Carrie Henger Neff was the first woman in the LA County Fire Department's Honor Guard. Her first K-9 partner was Spanner and was certified in accelerant detection and was a duel purpose dog. At the time Spanner  was the only one that they  were aware of in the United States that could actually do both and be accepted as an expert in court for arson. After the death of Spanner, Carrie chose Sprocket as her new canine partner. She also worked with Doc, her search and rescue dog, and partner in California Task Force 2. At the end of his career, Sprocket was also diagnosed with cancer, a tumor in his spleen, which caused severe pain and her husband Bob made the difficult decision to put Sprocket down just a week after Carried died. Carrie was a pioneer, helping to develop the LA County Fire Department's K9 program and served 18 years. Carrie's love for animals was a constant throughout her life. Before going into the fire service, she trained many animals for movies and television shows. When Carrie went into the fire service, she learned what a key element the service dogs play for arson and search and rescue, which was a perfect way for her to use her two passions. She dedicated her career to the development of service dog programs within the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Carrie's last deployment was with her search dog Doc at Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When teams were being deployed to Haiti in January, Carrie was retired, but saw her vision become a reality when the dogs from L.A. County Fire Department, along with other departments, were able to locate human life beneath the rubble. Carrie was a past director of the Canine Accelerant Detection Association and trained with them for many years. She also was a member of the North American Police Work Dog Association. She  also  was honored as WeTIP's Fire Investigator of the Year. Carrie and Bob had celebrated their first wedding anniversary just a few weeks before on Feb. 14, 2010. Carrie chose to be cremated. Carrie is survived by her husband, Bob Neff, also a fellow Captain that retired from the City of Riverside Fire Department. Donations can be made to the Humane Society of Moab Valley.

Rawlinson, who retired from the Tulsa Police Department as a sergeant in 1981. He died February 21, 2010, at the age of 75.  In  the 1960s, his first K9 partner, "Doc". patrolled together as part of the Tulsa Police Department's new K-9 unit. Rawlinson, launched the unit with another officer in 1962. He served in the Marines during the Korean War. Rawlinson began his career with the Tulsa Police Department in 1961. He received K-9 training in Kansas City, Mo., the next year Rawlinson worked with Doc for years until the dog was diagnosed with brain cancer. In 1966, while Rawlinson was off duty, he "missed death by the skin of his thumb," He was working at a laundry he owned when he heard a traffic accident outside. He went out and saw a man fleeing into a nearby gas station. Rawlinson and an on-duty deputy sheriff followed him into the station's restroom, where the man shoved a German Luger into Rawlinson's stomach. As the man tried to pull the trigger, the web of skin between Rawlinson's thumb and index finger prevented the gun's hammer from firing. He was named Officer of the Month for his bravery. After 20 years of service, Rawlinson retired from the Police Department at age 46 as a sergeant. His wife, Joyce Eudy , died in 1991.  He is survived by three daughters, Rise Bennett, Dana Hardy, and Aubrey Hill; two sons, Randy Rawlinson  and Doug Rawlinson.

Officer Charlie Dallas, 56, a twenty year veteran of the Lakeland Police Department died on 1/18/10 in a two-vehicle collision at 4:20 p.m.  on U.S. 27 and Jackson Street, just south of Lake Wales after his SUV Ford Explorer  overturned and was declared dead at the scene. According to the Florida Highway Patrol the accident happened when Federico Vasquez, 23, of Sebring was driving a 2006 Pontiac G6 south on U.S. 27 and swerved left to avoid hitting a 1989 Ford station wagon, driven by Sharon Kolbinskie, 54, of Lake Wales, who was crossing the road at Jackson Street. Vasquez crossed the median and into Dallas' path. The left side of Vasquez's car struck the left side of Dallas' 2008 Ford Explorer and Dallas lost control of the SUV and it rolled over, throwing him out. Vasquez and his passenger, Katie Boyette, were not injured. Polk County emergency workers called for a helicopter, but by the time it arrived, Dallas had died. Dallas, at the time was working an off-duty detail for Lakeland Regional Medical Center and was not wearing a seat belt. Dallas' passenger, Karyn Spencer, 33, of Lakeland was taken to Lake Wales Regional Medical Center for unknown injuries. Spencer was a Lakeland Regional Medical Center employee accompanying Dallas on a patient transfer. The two were on their way back to Lakeland in the Lakeland Regional Medical Center vehicle. The others involved in the crash were wearing seat belts. Charges in the crash are pending. Officer Charlie Dallas, had been named the department's Officer of the Year in 1996 and 2000.  He was a canine handler for nineteen years and handled 3 dogs in his career and even kept his last dog, Dinx, after he retired. Officer Dallas and his K9 Dynx won top 4-man team honors in the USPCA Region One trials held in Pensacola in 2008 which made it the third year in a row the Lakeland Police Department K-9 Unit claimed the top 4-man team award. Others that comprised the team were Officer Ted Sealey (K-9 Bodo), Officer Jeff Barrett (K-9 Beno), and Officer Rob Manrow (K-9 Bask). The team competed against approximately 50 other teams to win the award. Officer Dallas and K9 Dynx came in 6th in the top 10 individual standings that year. Dallas received the department's Medal of Valor for his actions while catching two murder suspects in 1999. He also received an award after a double murder in 2008 in which  police tracked down the shooting suspect, who was pointing a short-barrel shotgun to his head and threatening to kill himself. Dallas persuaded the suspect to put down the gun and the man was taken into custody. Officer Dallas had planned to retire in a couple of months He is survived by his wife Elaine and their sons Dustin and Justin. The Dallas family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the K-9 unit of Lakeland Police Department.