|
2020 - 2029
Tributes For Police And Military K9
Handlers
Note :
Some of these tributes are
for police canine officers that were killed in the line of duty and some
for officers that died while off duty. Also included are military canine
handlers that were killed during wars.
Flashing
star on both sides of officer name indicates both officer and K9 were
killed in line of duty
Officer Jay Francis Brown
11/15/24 - Fort Pierce, Florida - Age 74
Jay Francis Brown, 74, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away on
11/15/24, Jay was born to Herman and Doris Curry Brown on June 17,
1950, in New Haven, Connecticut. Jay earned a Police Academy
Certificate from Indian River Community College in December of 1978
from the Center for Criminal Justice. He went on to work for the
Fort Pierce Police Department from August 11, 1979, through December
17, 2005. In retirement, Jay worked as a security guard for Indian
River State College from 2007 to 2021. Jay was a member of the
Fraternal Order of Police as well as a proud member of the United
States K9 Association. When Jay was not serving his community, he
enjoyed bowling, fishing, white water rafting, K9 training, and
traveling with his beloved wife, Karen.Jay is survived by Karen Mock
Brown (wife), and Charlee Brown (canine).
Sgt. Sarah
Roque
10/21/24 - Fort Leonard Wood Base, Missouri - Age 23
United
States Army Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, was found dead in a dumpster on
10/21/24 after reported missing.When Sgt. Sarah Roque was absent from
formation at Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood Base, authorities issued a
missing-person alert. The alert stated that her family nor her chain of
command could make contact with her. Later that evening, Roque’s body
was found in a dumpster adjacent to the single-soldier quarters on base.
Sarah was in the 5th Engineer Battalion. After enlisting in 2020, she
attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. Roque served as a mine dog
handler with the 5th Engineer Battalion’s K9 detachment. Roque’s awards
and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
The Army of Special
Trial Counsel on 10/30/24 charged 21 -year-old Spc. Wooster Rancy with
the murder and obstructing justice in the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23.
Officials said the suspect is from North Miami, Florida, and joined the
Army in 2022. He serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance
Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, and conducted basic combat training at
Fort Leonard Wood. He is being held in pretrial confinement and is
awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Officer Maurice "Mo" Samual Joseph
10/9/24 - Norfolk, Virginia - Age ?
Maurice "MO" Samual Joseph passed away peacefully on
10/9/24. A public servant of over 40 years, he proudly served as a
Norfolk Police Officer and Master Canine Trainer for 26 years and as a
Canine Trainer and Program Manage with the Naval Special Warfare
Development Group for 14 years. Mo was a fierce patriot, mentor and
leader involved with law enforcement at the local, state and national
levels. As an original founding member of the non- profit Virginia
Police Work Dog Association, Mo helped train and equip canine teams
around the state of Virginia. After the attacks on 9/11, he and 37
colleagues from the Norfolk Police Department searched the rubble of the
twin towers in New York City. Prolonged exposure to the rubble of the
buildings and surrounding areas resulted in several health conditions
that ultimately cut short his purposeful life. In liew of flowers,
contributions can be made in his memory to the Tunnel to Towers (T2T)
Foundation. T2T honors fellow Americans who, like Mo, were called to
serve on 9/11 and beyond. Their programs empower veterans and first
responders who are severely injured or struggling, support families of
the fallen, and educate new generations so that we never forget.
Donations in Mo's honor can be made at
http://dogwood.t2t.org/IMOMauriceJoseph
Officer John Scott Ebersole
10/2/24 - Leesburg, Virginia - Age 68
John Scott Ebersole,
Sr. aka “Scott” age 68 of Charles Town, West Virginia passed away on
Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in Alexandria, Virginia after a prolonged
illness. Following high school, Scott enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps where he served for 5 years, stationed in California and
London, England. After serving his country, Scott joined the Town of
Leesburg Police Department. Scott spent most of his career as a K-9
handler for LPD. Scott would go on to win awards in his field with his
first working dog, Buddy, a Belgian Laekenois, and later, two German
Shepherd dogs, Alex and Edo. Scott earned several citations and awards
during his career, such as Police Officer of the Year, Bronze Medal of
Valor, and Silver Cross Medal. He retired as a Sergeant from the police
department in 2006. Scott is survived by his son, John Scott Ebersole
Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Scott’s honor to the
United States Police Canine Association Foundation at www.uspcak9.com/uspca-foundation
Officer Byron Patrick
9/8/24 - Palm Bay Florida - Age 51
Retired Palm Bay Police Officer Byron Patrick, 51,
passed away at his residence. on 9/8/24. Officer Patrick
served in many capacities including patrol officer, patrol corporal and
field training officer – and served as a member of of the department’s
Honor Guard.“After serving as a Submariner in the Navy, Byron dedicated
over 20 years to the Palm Bay Police Department, where he made a lasting
impact as a Field Training Officer, Corporal, Honor Guard member, and K9
Handler. Byron proudly served alongside K9s Patriot, Jasper, and Behr
during his K9 career. ”Officer Patrick’s most significant assignment was
being a K9 handler, serving in that role for 17 years. He and his K9
partners were responsible for apprehending several wanted individuals
and removing large amounts of drugs from the community.
He was formally a police officer in Michigan.
Officer Patrick retired from the Palm Bay Police Department in November
2021.
Officer Will Deering
8/17/24 - Denison, Texas - Age 42
Officer Will Deering lost his brief battle with leukemia
on 8/17/24. Officer Deering was a K9 Officer with Denison Police
Department in Texas and had been a member of the force for more than 14
years. Will began employment with the Denison Police Department on
January1, 2010.During his career, he served as a K9 officer for 6 years
with his K9 partner Ivar.
He also served in many other roles throughout his career, including:
patrol officer, Narcotics Detective, Field Training Officer, Sergeant
and as Training & Development Coordinator.Will is survived by his wife
Vanessa; son Michael Daughter Kaylee; son Bryce and his K9 partner Ivar.
Lieutenant Walter R. Bowers
8/15/24 - Oak Ridge, Tennessee - Age 88
Walter R. "Gus" Bowers died on 8/15/24 at the age of 88. He served
as a canine officer with the Oak Ridge Police Department. He also
served in the Navy. In 1965 he joined the Oak Ridge Police Department in
Tennessee. He became a Sergeant in 1969 and then promoted to
Lieutenant Detective in 1982 and retired in 1998. During his time in the
police force he was proud to be one of the founders of the Honor Guard
for Oak Ridge. His wife Betty Jo Cambell preceded him in death. He
leaves behind a daughter Cyndi Lee Bowers. Donations may be made
to local animal shelters.
Captain John P. Hamrick
8/6/24 - Fairhope, Alabama - Age 52
Captain
John P. Hamrick, passed away on Aug. 6, 2024, in Fairhope, Alabama. John
dedicated the last 19 years to serving his community as a respected
member of the Fairhope Police Department and 10 years prior as a Canine
officer with the Gulf Shores Police Department. John is survived by his
beloved wife, Leslie Hamrick, and their children, Sydney of Auburn and
Nash of Fairhope.
Corporal Miranda Dawn Wright
8/3/24 - Olney, Texas - Age 47
Corporal Miranda
Wright passed away from colon cancer Saturday, Aug. 3 after a two month
battle. She closed out a 20-year career of service. Miranda enlisted in
the United States Army in 1997. Most recently had her home at the Olney
Police Department and Olney EMS. Her
primary responsibility was the interdiction of narcotics for the Olney
Police Department. She focused on manufacturing, distribution,
delivery, and possession of narcotics in and around Olney.
Wright held a Master Peace Officer License through the Texas Commission
on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) with more than 3,700 hours of continuing
education with TCOLE. Moreover, she was a nationally certified emergency
medical technician, had an associate degree in criminal justice, and was
currently enrolled in school to obtain her bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice. Wright is a certified police instructor and has attended the
LEMIT (Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas) Command Staff
Leadership Course.Her law
enforcement career was spent mostly with K-9 partners Fox at OPD, Sam at
the Young County Sheriff’s Office and her last partner at OPD, K9.
Bond. ”The two competed in the United States Police Canine Association
trials, which were held in Graham in 2022. During the service, her K-9
partner Bond was led up to say a goodbye to Wright and the Wichita Falls
Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard folded and presented the American flag to
Birbeck who presented it to her family. She leaves behind her daughters,
Christine and Chandra. DonatIons can be made to Project K-9 Hero,
309 Bear Pen Rd., Whitwell, Tennessee 37397.
Officer Brent Simpson
7/1/24 - Charlotte - Mecklenburg, North Carolina - Age 46
Officer Brent Simpson
was on duty and in uniform when he decided to shoot himself in the head
in front of his police co-workers at 12:30 pm on 7/1/24.
On Monday afternoon,
CMPD identified the officer as K-9 Officer Brent Simpson who was a
graduate of the 148th Recruit Class and served with CMPD since
2006.Officers with the Steele Creek Division responded to calls on
7/1/24 in the 7300 block of Steele Creek Road,
just south of the CLT Airport,
where Simpson was found. CMPD said Officer Simpson was assigned to the
K-9 unit and faithfully served alongside his K-9 partner, Levi, for six
years. Other police on scene immediately tried to revive Officer Simpson
and radioed in for support.
Cops loaded Officer
Simpson into the back seat of a police car and rushed him to the
hospital with lights and sirens on. Before joining CMPD, Officer
Simpson served in the U.S. Navy as an Operation Specialist with the
Military Police for four years. He leaves behind his wife Gina of almost
19 years and his K9 partner Levi. Contributions in Brent's
memory may be made to People of Service Together, a non-profit
organization founded by Brent to serve First Responders struggling with
their mental health; www.peopleofservicetogether.org
Connecticut State Trooper Aaron
Pelletier
5/30/24 - Southington, Connecticut - Age 34
Connecticut
State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed on 5/30/24 in the
line of duty when he was struck on Interstate I84 at approximately 2:36 pm
and died at the scene.Trooper Pelletier was working an overtime shift. The driver who struck Trooper Pelletier left the
scene.
Trooper Pelletier was traveling in the left lane when he observed a
driver in the right lane not wearing a seat belt. Trooper Pelletier
pulled over the driver in the right lane and while talking to the
operator of the vehicle a Chevrolet 1500 pick up truck driven by Alex
Oyola- Sanchez, 44, went into the right lane
striking Trooper Pelletier’s cruiser and then striking him. The right
side wheels of the pick up were completely over the dividing line into
the shoulder when he side swiped Trooper Pelletier’s cruiser and then
struck Trooper Pelletier in the shoulder of the road while he was speaking with the
operator of the vehicle not wearing a seat belt. The driver of
the truck who struck Trooper Pelletier was later located and taken into
police custody on I-84 in Farmington at exit 39A when a tire failed which is about 5 miles
from the accident scene at exit 31A on I84 East in Southington. Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was a nine-year veteran
of the Connecticut State Police and a member of the 125th Training
Troop. He graduated from K9 Academy as part of the 223rd Patrol
Dog Class in December 2021. His dog's name was Roso
and was retired from service and given to his family.
He was married and
leaves behind his wife Dominique and two young boys, Troy and Zachary.
The family is asking that donations be made in Trooper Pelletiers memory
to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, at 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island,
NY 10306 or to this GoFundMe page.
Alex Oyola- Sanchez is charged with second - degree manslaughter with a
motor vehicle, evading responsibility resulting in death. driving under
the influence, and failing to drive in the proper lane, failure to renew
registration, operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, among several
other charges in the death of Trooper Pelletier.
Oyola-Sanchez told police he
injected $20 worth of fentanyl and $20 worth of powdered cocaine earlier
that morning and had purchased a pill, he believed to be Klonopin, from
a drug dealer before the incident.
Oyola-Sanchez
bond was initially set at $5 million and he appeared in court on
5/31/24, where it was set at $1.5 million by
Judge Maureen Keegan
and his next court appearence is scheduled for 6/6/24.
Oyola-Sanchez has a long criminal history in his native Puerto
Rico – including third-degree murder in 2012, Bringing objects into a
correctional facility for escape in 2008, 3 counts of attempted homicide
in 2008, 3rd degree murder in 2007 as well as weapons and drug charges.
Police Chief Kevin Eugene Morgan
4/13/24 - Boonsboro, Maryland - Age 63
Kevin Eugene
Morgan,63,died on 4/13/24, after suffering a medical emergency while on
duty and died at
Meritus Medical Center Hagerstown, MD.He
was chief of the Boonsboro Police Department, after having served over
25 years with the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Overall, Morgan
spent more than 41 years in law enforcement. Morgan "had a love
for dogs and worked and trained Police K9’s and detection dogs.Kevin
was a graduate of in 1982 of Western Maryland Police Academy.He was
currently employed as the Chief of Police with Boonsboro, MD. He was
previously employed with Brunswick Police Department (1982), Washington
County Sheriff Department (1983-2009), Boonsboro Police Department
(2009-present). Kevin had 42 years as a dedicated law enforcement
officer.He is survived by his life partner Mary Pat Kulina of
Mercersburg, PA; daughter Kristen Rosenberg son Andy Morgan; In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Boonsboro Police Department
for future funding for K9 training and handler equipment.
Corporal Brad Smith
West Covina, California
Corporal Brad Smith retired from the West Covina Police Department in
southern California after 30 years of service. He passed away from
cancer on 4/4/24. He was a handler and
trainer for West Covina for 25 years and a SWAT dog handler for 18
years. Brad served as the Canine Section Chair for the NTOA since
1999
shaping the landscape of K9 operations across the country.
He specialized in field tactics and officer safety. Brad was a
graduate of the California P.O.S.T. Master Instructor Development
Program (Class 5) where he designed and implemented a K9 SWAT & K9
Patrol Tactical School called S.K.I.D.D.S. and CATS. He was the owner of
Canine Tactical Operations and Consulting and provided expert K9 witness
testimony in civil litigation. Brad was the author or co-author of two
books: “K9 Tactical Operations for Patrol and SWAT” and “K9’s in the
Courtroom.” He published over 130 articles for a wide variety of
publications on K9 SWAT deployment and training.
Capt. Daniel Matt Bryan Clark
4/1/24 - Elizabethtown, North Carolina - Age 35
Capt. Daniel
Matt Bryan Clark, 35, was laid to rest with his K9, Jaxx, by his
side.Capt. Clark played a big role at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office
for the past 14 years. Sadly, he took his own life at his home on
4/1/24. Clark was deployed to Iraq during his six years in the Army as a
combat medic. He also served in the National Guard. Clark came to the
Bladen County Sheriff’s Office back in 2010 and quickly moved up the
ranks. He was promoted to Captain in 2022. During Clark’s time with the
Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, he worked in many different roles,
including patrol, K9 Officer, Narcotics and Criminal Investigations
Division. Clark had K9 Jaxx by his side at the sheriff’s office for
eight years. Jaxx retired and Clark still took care of 10-year-old Jaxx.
Sadly, Jaxx was in failing health and after talking to a veterinarian
and Capt. Clark’s family, it was decided to cremate Jaxx to rest
alongside his handler. Memorials may be sent to the Bladen County
Sheriff's Office / K9 Unit
.
Officer Francis X. O'Brien
2/21/24 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Age 79
Francis X. OBrien, 79 passed away on
2/21/24. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962, serving in
Vietnam. In 1966, he joined the Philadelphia Police Department, first
working in the 6th district, then on the el and subway as a K9 cop with
his beloved police dog, Devil, and finally as a detective in the 35th
district.
He maintained a 4.0 GPA at Community College of
Philadelphia while working as a police officer and attending night
classes in Criminal Justice and Psychology. After his retirement from
the PPD in 2003, Frank went on to work as a security guard at Fox Chase
Cancer Center. He will be remembered as a devoted husband to his wife
Kay and loving father to his three daughters Tara Schernecke (Jeff),
Donna Ennis (Billy), and Erica O'Brien (Vincent Gerbino) Donations in
Frank's honor can be made to the Tacony Library (by calling 215-6858755
and making a direct donation via phone); The Special Olympics of
Pennsylvania (support.olympics.org), or Shriners Hospitals for
Children(lovetotherescue.org)
Officer Tom Chagnon
Enfield, Connecticut - Age 78
Thomas
Chagnon, who became one of Enfield's first canine officers in the early
1980s. Chagnon joined the Enfield Police Department in 1976, shortly
before institution of the canine program. He was partnered with a German
shepherd known as SatanChagnon retired in 1998.
Deputy Sheriff Eric Minix
1/4/24 - Coweta, Georgia - Age 31
Deputy
Sheriff Eric Minix, 31, was killed while on duty on 1/4/24 in Alabama at
the end of high speed chase on
Interstate 85 at 11:55
P.M.. Alabama Officers put stop sticks out to stop the speeding vehicle.
Minix stopped behind the car he was chasing. Once that happened, Minix
stepped out of the car, a 2017 Dodge Charger. A
Lanett, Alabama police officer, Cornelius Robinson 28,
struck him after Minix got out of his car to approach the stolen vehicle
that had led the chase across state lines. Robinson came on the scene and could not stop in time before hitting the Coweta
deputy. Minix had been chasing a stolen 2022 Dodge Challenger out of
Douglas County. He was transported to a local hospital where he
succumbed to his injuries. The suspect, Decedric Vonche Donson, 25, of
Pensacola, Fla.
driver in the chase is charged with
felony
first degree receiving stolen property and felon attempting to elude. At
least seven law enforcement agencies were assisting in apprehending the
subject, who was driving a stolen vehicle. The subject was arrested and
is waiting charges. The Alabama officer was placed on administrative leave and an investigation
is pending. The deputy's K-9 partner was on scene, but not injured in
the incident. Minix joined the Coweta force first in 2014, then
joined the Tyrone Police Department for several years before coming back
to the Coweta force. He was with the Crime Suppression Unit in the
sheriff's office. The deputy leaves behind his wife Trina and three daughters,
Annalee, Adelynn and Harper.
Donations can be made to
Georgia Police K9 Foundation at GApolicek9foundation.org or Concerns of
Police Survivors at Gacops.org
Decedric Vonche Donson
is being held with no bond from multiple law enforcement agencies
including federal probation.
Officer Harry Augusto Vega
12/21/23 - Meriden, Connecticut - Age 82
Harry Vega, 82, a retired Meriden police officer who, used his own time
and money, led the department's use of police dogs. During his two
decades in the Meriden Police Department, Vega trained at least four
police dogs for the department, and was a handler to three of them. One
of his K9 partners was killed in the line of duty. He joined the city's
police force on Feb. 1, 1966, and served in the department until he
retired in July 1986. The Meriden Police Department K9 program is rich
with history and began as a result of his efforts. Vega began training
police dogs in the late 1960s and early '70s. He partnered with three
dogs, Ceasar, Kemo and Wolf. "He utilized his own funds and time to
start the K9 program at the Meriden Police Department. Vega received
"numerous awards and citations" for his service, which included
community demonstrations with Kemo. Unfortunately, on April 17, 1976, K9
Ceasar was killed in the line of duty while in the performance of his
duties. Ceasar was later awarded a medal of valor from the National
Police Officers Association and was inducted into the National Police
Hall of Fame. Contributions can be made in his memory to the Meriden
Police K9 unit.
Senior
Deputy William Mosier
12/12/23 - Sumter, South Carolina - Age 27
Mosier,
27, had been employed with Sumter Sheriff’s Department as a certified
Class 1 Deputy for about seven months after having served with the
Marlboro County Sheriff's Office. His K9 partner was K9 Rojo. He was a
three-year law enforcement veteran.
Deputy Paul S. Martin
12/6/23 - Mercer, North Dakota - Age 53
Deputy Paul Martin, 53, was
killed on 12/6/23 while on duty after taking cover behind his squad car
after laying a tire deflation device in the road for a person fleeing an
officer. The 42-year-old son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, Ian Cramer, was
charged on 12/7/23 with manslaughter and fleeing. The incident began
when Ian Cramer was driven by his mother to a hospital at around 4:30
p.m. on 12/6/23 over concerns about his mental health. When she got out
of the SUV, Cramer took the wheel and crashed through a door to get out
of an enclosed ambulance bay at the hospital’s emergency department. The
senator's daughter tracked the SUV through a cellphone and alerted
authorities. Over an hour later, a deputy in Mercer County spotted
Cramer and the Chevrolet Tahoe in Hazen, a community about 70 miles
northwest of Bismarck. The North Dakota Highway Patrol began a
chase. Initial efforts to stop Cramer didn't work. An officer in Beulah
used a tire deflation device, which flattened two of Cramer's tires, but
he kept driving on the highway. Beulah Chief of Police Frank Senn and
Martin deployed more deflation devices and took cover behind their cars.
Cramer swerved then hit Martin's vehicle. Ian Cramer was traveling over
100 mph and already had two flat tires when he slammed head-on into
Deputy Paul Martin's squad car pushing it directly into Deputy Martin
and launching him for about 100 feet killing him. Cramer was then taken into
custody. He was evaluated at a hospital then jailed. The patrol said
that when a Mercer County deputy spotted Ian Cramer in Hazen and
approached him, Cramer fled. The crash happened a short time later on
North Dakota Highway 200, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) outside of
Hazen. The hospital in Bismarck sustained damage to the main entrance to
its emergency department's vehicle and ambulance garage. The entrance
had to be temporarily out of service, with a temporary entrance set up.
No one was injured at the hospital. Paul
started his law enforcement career with the Army as an MP Canine
Officer. He continued his career in law enforcement while in North
Dakota starting with Nelson County Sheriff’s Department. Then he was
with Hazen Police Department for three years followed by Beulah Police
Department for two years. These past 15 years he has been with Mercer
County Sheriff’s Department. During his time with Mercer County
Sheriff’s Department Paul was lucky enough to be partnered with Goliath,
his K9 for seven years.
Deputy
Martin’s retired K9 Goliath died in 2019. Deputy Martin was an 18-year
veteran of the sheriff's office.Paul is survived by his wife Melinda A.K.A Mindy (Hietala)
Martin; his children; Sara Beth Harr, Jason Martin and Amanda Martin.
Memorials be made to Wreaths Across America,
Turtle River State Park or Sakakawea State Park.
Ian Cramer made his first court appearance on 10/8/23 on manslaughter
and other charges after he allegedly fled from authorities in a stolen
family vehicle. Ian Cramer, of Bismarck, was charged Thursday with
multiple felony counts, including manslaughter, fleeing a police officer
and reckless endangerment. Cramer did not enter a plea on 10/8/23, which
will happen at a later hearing. He
appeared in court remotely via videoconference from county jail and
District Judge Bobbi Weiler set a $500,000 cash bond, and also ordered a
mental health evaluation. Plans
to file additional drug-related charges against Cramer are pending for
possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and baggies of paraphernalia.
In 2013,
Ian Cramer was charged with misdemeanor simple assault for allegedly
injuring his brother’s head; he pleaded guilty. His record also includes
several traffic citations during this and last year, some as recent as
the day before the crash, for driving under suspension.
Sergeant Michael Anthony Moran
11/29/23 - Cortez, Colorado - Age 46
Sergeant Michael Moran, 46, of the Cortez Police Department was shot and
killed on 11/29/23 at 11:25 am while making a traffic stop for reckless
driving near the
intersection of South Broadway and San Juan Drive in Colorado. Two
suspects fled but were tracked down to the 7500 block on Highway 160/491
where a gun battle ensued. The gunman who killed Sergeant Moran, Jason
Campbell, 44, of Ogden Utah was killed at the scene while the
second suspect was apprehended 1.5 miles away. Sgt. Moran was rushed to
Southwest Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Sergeant
Moran served in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years, including two
tours in Iraq, before joining the Cortez Police Department in 2012. He
became a K9 handler in 2016 with his K9 partner Otto. He leaves behind
two daughters Katalina and Novelynn Moran .
Sergeant Christopher C. Parovenzano
11/8/23 - Harrison, New York - Age 50
Sergeant Christopher Provenzano who served with the Harrison Police
Department for over 20 years, died on 11/8/23 at the age of 50.
He served with the Harrison Police, as a
canine handler. He also spent much time with his canine partner, Brixx.
He retired from the department in 2017 as a sergeant. Provenzano is
survived by his wife, Chelsea; his children, Andrew and Ella.
Lieutenant Jack Haskins
10/27/23 - Pietermaritzburg, South Africa - Age 68
Retired veteran SAPS K9 officer Lieutenant Jack Haskins died on 10/27/23. Haskins had been involved in the Midmar Mile and
Dusi Canoe Marathon, rescues, drownings around the province
and rescues in disaster zones. After serving the KwaZulu-Natal community
since 1977, he retired from the SA Police Services in 2016. Haskins has
had an illustrious career in the police service, bringing peace to
hundreds of families by locating their relatives’ bodies in sometimes
very difficult conditions. Haskins who was praised for his work in the
SAPS K9 unit has been described as a hero who will be dearly missed. He
touched many lives and was a mentor to many in the K9 unit. His
contributions to the world of K9 operations have left an indelible mark
on both his home country and the global search and rescue community.
One of his most notable achievements was the creation of the South
African Search and Rescue Dog Association (SASARDA). This organization
was founded to train and certify search and rescue dogs and their
handlers to the highest standards. Under Jack Haskins’ guidance, SASARDA
became a model of excellence, ensuring that search and rescue teams
could effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies. He cooperated
with search and rescue teams from around the world, sharing his
expertise and learning from their experiences. This collaboration made
him a respected figure not only in South Africa but on the global stage,
where his impact was truly immeasurable. The work of Lt. Haskins and the
K9 units he nurtured has been instrumental in locating missing persons
during natural disasters, finding survivors trapped in the rubble of
collapsed buildings, and aiding in criminal investigations by tracking
down evidence. Their efforts have brought solace to countless families
and justice to many. Specialising in biological body fluids
detection, K9 Butch was trained and handled by Haskins
for
12 years and was the
first of three dogs specializing in biological body fluids in the
province. Butch aided many forensic teams in solving high-profile cases
as he was specially trained in finding small amounts of blood or other
bodily fluids at crime scenes. He also assisted in many high-profile
cases which are still under investigation. He was the lead K9 in the
investigation of a woman who had been murdered by her husband on the
South Coast. The crime scene was four years old, but Butch managed to
trace a small amount of blood that had soaked into the foot of a
cupboard. Jack received the coveted SAPS Silver Cross for Bravery
for saving victims trapped in the 1987 floods. His K9 Orca received the
SAPS Canine and Equine Star for Bravery. His K9 partners were Rolf,
Orca, Udain, Vos, Bear and Butch. He was married to his wife Vesta for
26 years who died of cancer in 2010. He leaves behind a son, Jack Jr.
38,
and a daughter Samantha, 34.
Officer Holly Jean Donahue
10/11/23 - Hartford, Connecticut - Age 55
Hartford
police K-9 Officer Holly Donahue,55, died on 10/11/23 after a four-year
battle with melanoma after be diagnosed in 2019. She was on the scuba
team, and was the department's first female canine officer. "She was
decorated with many accolades. Donahue joined the Army two weeks after
graduating from Southington High School in 1985. While in the Army she
became a jump master, jumping out of airplanes. She retired as a 2nd
lieutenant from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. Her K9
partners were Champ and Moffett. She was also trained in crisis
intervention. Most recently, Donahue worked at the state Department of
Motor Vehicles. Donahue was burial with military honors. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the Police Unity Tour via https://policeunitytour.com/
Deputy Tucker Blakely
10/2/23 - Knox County, Tennessee - Age 29
Deputy Tucker Blakely,
29, of the Knox County Sheriff's Office died on 10/2/23 from wounds he
suffered on 10/1/23 while responding to a domestic call at
approximately 11:15 p.m. to a home on
the 2300 block of Denver Lane in the Solway community.
Deputies responded where they encountered an armed individual at the
residence. Shots were fired by both the individual and at least one of
the deputies. Deputy Blakely was rushed to the University Medical Center
but died. The suspect, Matthew Logan Rose, 30, was pronounced dead on
the scene. Blakely was an Army veteran
and was an organ donor.
He had just been selected to be a K9 handler and had just picked up his
dog two days before he was shot. Deputy Blakely is survived by his wife,
Katarina, and five-year-old son.
PC Stephen Powell
9/17/23 - Warrington, England - Age 51
PC
Stephen Powell, 51, his cause of death had been announced at an inquest
heard at Cheshire coroner’s court on 1/24/24. PC Stephen Powell, from
Great Sankey, was found dead at Oven Back Farm in Croft, on September
17, 2023.At an inquest, area coroner Victoria Davis confirmed that
Stephen’s death had been ruled a suicide. The 51-year-old's body was
discovered by a farm worker who raised the alarm, and was later
identified by a colleague.He became the first police officer in the country to train
his own dog, a German shepherd named Frank, to join him on the beat back
in 2012.He was one of six dog handlers covering Warrington, Widnes and
Runcorn.He was also based at Warrington Police Station. PC Powell has
been a serving officer for 21 years and also did work for a German
shepherd rescue charity.
Benjamin Lee Britton
9/14/23 - Chadon, Nebraska - Age 58
Benjamin Lee Britton, age 58, of Chadron,
Nebraska passed away September 14, 2023. He enlisted in the Army in
1983. He was a Military Police Canine Corp. at Ft. Benning, Georgia
from 1984 to 1991.
James Jude Matarese
9/9/23 - Falmouth, Virginia - Age 69
James
“Jim” Jude Matarese of Falmouth, Virginia passed away peacefully on
Saturday, September 9, 2023 surrounded by his wife and children at
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Jim was a dedicated police and K-9 handler
for 34 years with the United States Park Police. He loved working with
police K-9s and was committed to helping train other K-9 handlers.
Shortly after becoming a K-9 handler, Jim joined Region 3 of the United
States Police Canine Association and quickly became very involved in the
organization. Jim served as Region 3 President, National President, and
most recently National Treasurer.Jim is survived by his loving wife of
49 years, Margaret B. Matarese; children Matthew Matarese, Christopher
Matarese, Philip Matarese, and Amelia (Matarese)
Tupta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to The United States Police Canine Association or Mary’s
Shelter.Checks may be mailed to:
The United States Police Canine Association
Don
Slavik, Executive Director, USPCA
34605
454 Avenue
Ottertail, MN 56571
Mary’s Shelter
1601 Princess Anne Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Officer Brad William Taylor
9/3/23 - Sandy City, Utah - Age 29
In July Officer Brad Taylor was being treated for pneumonia when his
doctors scheduled a CT scan. The results showed a large mass in one of
his lungs, roughly the size of a softball. They immediately biopsied the
growth, with results coming back as Melanoma. Additional testing
discovered the cancer has also spread into his bones. At the end of
August he started immunotherapy to combat the cancer, and has been in
and out of the hospital for the past few weeks. With his illness
progressing, he was currently incubated under close watch in the ICU.
Brad joined the U.S. National Guard where he worked in communications
and served in Morocco with his unit. Officer Taylor leaves behind a wife
Marisa Hyland Taylor and daughters Frankie 2 years old and Georgia 2
months old and K9 partner Trigg.
Officer George K. Carlson Jr.
9/2/23 - Kingston, New York - Age 74
George K. Carlson Jr., of
Kingston, New York died on 9/2/23 following a long battle with
Alzheimers. He served in the United States Army and graduated from
Ulster County Community College Law Enforcement Class of 1974. In 1974,
he began his forty plus year career in law enforcement with the Kingston
Police Department assigned to the SWAT Team, SCUBA and as a Firearms
Instructor. In 1980 under Mayor Don Quick and Police Chief Julius
Glassman. George introduced the K9 Unit to the police department. He
would serve with two K9 partners, Stoner and Cody before being promoted
to detective and retiring. In 2004, George would continue his law
enforcement career with the Ulster County Sheriff's Office as a K9
deputy with his dog Cody. Following Cody, his next partner would be
Griff, a patrol and cadaver dog and then Coda. He became a K9 instructor
for the Sheriff's Office and in 2018 he retired. Finishing his law
enforcement career with his dog Coda, George served as a K9 Security
Officer at Ulster County Community College. He was a member and judge
for the United States Police Canine Association. George is survived by
his wife of forty eight years, Veronica "Vickie" Carlson.
Detective Todd Romagna
8/16/23 - Seymour, Connecticut - Age 55
Retired Seymour
Police Detective Todd Romagna passed away after a lengthy battle with an
illness. Detective Romagna started with the Seymour Police Department as
a Supernumerary Officer in 1995, then a Full Time Officer in 1998 and
promoted to Detective in 2013. While in patrol, Detective Romagna served
as the department's K9 Officer, Community Police Officer and was on the
department's ESU unit. Throughout his career he also received numerous
commendations. Prior to Detective Romagna's employment with the Seymour
Police Department, Detective Romagna worked for the State of
Connecticut's Department of Corrections. He retired in 2017. He is
survived by his wife, Bridget, daughter, Brittney, and son,
Joe.Donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (
https://t2t.org
)
Officer Brett Albert Winkelman
6/26/23 - Farmington, Utah - Age 71
Brett Albert Winkelman, 71, passed away suddenly on 6/26/23. At
the age of forty, he made the decision to pursue a life long dream of
becoming a police officer. Through hard work and dedication, he saw the
fruition of that dream, working as a Reserve Conservation Officer for
DWR; Deputy Park Ranger at East Canyon State Park; Deputy Sheriff at
Morgan County Sheriff's Office; and Officer at Farmington City Police
Department from where he retired in 2013. While at F.P.D., Brett
completed the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training PSP-2 and became
certified as a dog handler with his K9 Nikita as a Narcotics Detector
Dog from 1992-2002. In February of 2002, Officer Winkelman became
a school Resource Officer/Community Resource Officer until May 2010. In
2008, Officer Winkelman was honored as a D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year
for the State of Utah. Officer Winkelman also served his community as an
EMT, Hunter Education Instructor with the Division of Wildlife
Resources, and also as a CPS (Child Passenger Safety) Technician with
both the State of Utah and Nationally. Brett was also a member of the
Fraternal Order of Police, Utah Peace Officers Association, and the
International Canine Narcotics Detection Foundation, Inc. Brett leaves behind
his wife Cathy Marie Winkelman of 41 years. and sons Richard Paul Galley
; Brian Kenneth Galley and Brett Albert Winkelman, Jr.
Gordon Patenaude
6/17/23 - Ashfield, Massachusetts - Age 81
Gordon Patenaude, 81, died 6/17/23 after a long and courageous battle
with his illness. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran and police K9
officer. He and Sabre, his air-scent trained K9 were successful in
several search and rescue operations. Gordon leaves behind his wife
Janet and daughter Debra Simmons along with three stepchildren; Tammy
Fitzell, Michael Dekoschak and Mark Dekoschak. Donations may be made in
honor of Gordon to Pioneer Valley Hospice Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Officer Michael "Mike" Buckley
6/15/23 - Lusby, Maryland - Age 86
Patrick
Michael "Mike" Buckley, 86, of Lusby, MD and formerly of College
Park/Riverdale, MD, passed away on June 15, 2023 at his residence.
He joined the United States Navy in November 1953 (age 17), where he
served for 4 years in the Antarctica, North Pole and other duty
stations. He later joined the Washington DC Metropolitan Police
Department where he served for over 22 years, 5 years in the Canine Unit
with his beloved dog "Duke" and the final 11 years in the Internal
Affairs Division. He is survived by his children James M. Buckley,
Matthew L. Buckley, Shannon Locke, Daniel M. Buckley, Kathleen T. Leach
and predeceased by son, Patrick J. Buckley.
Allen "Poley" James Garner
6/8/23 - Wilmington, North Carolina - Age 76
Allen “Poley” James Garner, age 76, of Wilmington, NC
passed away on June 8, 2023. Allen was a Vietnam Army Veteran who served
as a Military Police dog handler during the war. Allen is survived by
his wife of 57 years, Dolores Garner; son, David Allen Garner and his
daughter, Sheila Ann Garner. In lieu of flowers, charitable
contributions in memory of Allen may be made to St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Deputy Dave Scherping
6/3/23 - Morrison, Minnesota - Age 51
Dave Scherping, 51, a former Morrison County Deputy died
in a motorcycle accident on 6/3/23 during the afternoon. Scherping was
riding his motorcycle south on County Road 5 when he approached the
intersection of County Road 4. A driver in a pickup truck heading north
made a left turn in front of Scherping. He collided with the truck and
was thrown from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The
driver of the truck, a 57-year-old man from Becker, was not hurt.
Scherping was a Morrison County deputy and a K9 handler for several
years. He leaves behind Austin Scherping, Connor Scherping,
Brenden Scherping, Chase Scherping, Riley Scherping and Jacob Fasching.
He was preceded in death by his infant son Christopher Scherping. He is also the father of the current K9 handler, Deputy Austin Scherping.
Officer Zane A. Breakiron
6/3/23 - Morgantown, West Virginia - Age 34
Patrol Officer First Class and K-9 handler
Zane A. Breakiron died in an off duty single vehicle accident on 6/3/23.
Officer Breakiron was approaching his seventh year of service to the
community of Morgantown and was a decorated officer with MPD.
Zane's journey began at Laurel Highlands High
School, where he excelled athletically as a four-year varsity member for
football, wrestling and track & field, and where he threw the 2x WPIAL
Javalin medalist. He was named an All-American in the USA Track and
Field National Championships. His passion for sports continued as he
pursued his education at the University of Florida, where he qualified
for the NCAA Eastern Regional Finals during his sophomore year.
Memoial contributions can be made to the WV Law Enforcement Police K9
Fund.
Officer Cameron "Cammy" Shanks
6/3/23 - Scotland - Age 62
Cameron
Shanks died on June 3, 2023 from Stomach cancer. He retired from Police
Scotland in 2020 after 43 years of service, much of that as a police dog
handler, but also had a spell on the staff at the Scottish Police
College in Tulliallan. In September last year, he was asked to help
unveil the memorial to all the force’s four-legged recruits in Glasgow’s
Pollok Park. Over the last four years, together with family and friends
Cameron Shanks raised over $60,000 for Maggie’s which provides support
and advice to those suffering from cancer, as well as their relatives at
the Larbert center in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital. A
range of fundraisers enabled Cammy to raise the cash, including a disco
at the Beancross Restaurant and Hotel in Grangemouth, charity cycles and
runs, a Three Peaks Challenge by police officers, efforts of staff at
Tesco Redding where Claire works and the formation of the Cammy Shanks
Burns Club. He leaves behind his wife Claire.
Senior Constable Bruce Lamb
5/22/23 - Canterbury, New Zealand - Age 63
Senior Constable Bruce Lamb
a New Zealand police dog handler died on 5/23/23 during a hunting trip
with his friends. Senior Constable Bruce Lamb whose beloved police
dog Gage once took a bullet from a gunman and
saved his life. Bruce was hunting in the Ashburton Lakes area when he
died suddenly. Bruce had been part of the Canterbury Police family for
45 years and was one of New Zealand Police’s longest-serving dog
handlers. He was well known and well respected across the organization
and in the communities, he served. Lamb, a father of three, including
two police officers - dedicated his life to policing, Lamb became
emotional when paying tribute to his dog Gage, who was posthumously
awarded the UK’s highest honor for animal bravery. “Without him, I
simply wouldn’t be here,” Lamb told a gathering of his colleagues where
Gage’s bravery and sacrifice was recognized with the PDSA Gold Medal. At
11am on July 13, 2010 officers passing a house in the Christchurch
suburb of Phillipstown noticed a strong smell of cannabis. They went to
the door and arrested a man there and called for back-up. Lamb and Gage
arrived and went inside where they found Christopher Graeme Smith, 35,
inside a locked bedroom. Smith coughed to disguise cocking his rifle
before Lamb entered. The gunman fired two shots, one narrowly missing
Lamb’s head, the other smashing into his jaw. As he fell, Lamb called
out to alert his colleagues. Smith cocked his gun again and as he went
to shoot Lamb again, Gage’s training kicked in and he jumped into the
line of fire. “I can still feel Gage going over me. Without a doubt, his
actions on the day saved my life,” Lamb said at the time. Smith fired
again and hit Constable Mitch Alatalo. Lamb dragged Gage, still on his
lead, outside the house. It wasn’t until he was outside that he realized
Gage was dead. Lamb drove himself to hospital and radioed police comms:
“Delta One to Comms...I’ve got a gunshot wound to the head... can you
tell my boss that my dog is dead please.”Gage
was a 6-year-old German shepherd.
Smith was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison for attempted
murder and other offences. He has since been declined parole 11 times.
Lamb was shot at three times in his career and was also
first on the scene at one of New Zealand’s first active shooter events,
where a man was shot in Cathedral Square in 1989. Lamb worked with
detector dogs finding drugs. He and Luther, a black Labrador, went on to
find $168,000 in one haul in the lining of a car door.
Lamb’s son, Michael, continued in the family tradition, graduating from
the Dog Training Centre at Trentham in 2021. His other son, Christopher,
is also in the force. In 2021.
Officer William L. "Bill" Hollister
5/22/23 - Middletown, Ohio - Age 80
Retired Middletown Police officer Bill Hollister, 80, who served as a K9
handler for 31 years died at home on 5/22/23. He began his police career
in 1968 and was assigned to the K9 unit the following year, partnering
with Duke. He remained a K9 handler for the next 31 years, working with
Duke, Thor, Logan, Spencer, Custody and Roc. He retired in 2000 but
remained the department’s head canine trainer until 2016. Hollister was
also one of the original members of the United States Police Canine
Association (USPCA) in 1971 and was a national judge and trainer who
trained hundreds of police dogs in the tri-state area. Hollister was
chief judge at many regional and national competitions and also served
as the central vice president of the USPCA as well as the ethics
committee chairman. He proudly served his country in the United States
Marine Corps.His wife Marsha, of almost 46 years, was also heavily
involved in the Police K9 world. He leaves behind daughters Amy, Billie,
Mary, Wendy and Jodi. He was preceded in death by his son Tim Hollister;
Daughters Gaylan Miller & Terri Hall. He was presented with Military
Honors. Contributions may be made to the U.S.P.C.A. ( United Stapes
Police Canine Association ) Region 5.
Officer Larry "Rock" DeResh
5/14/23 - Massachusetts - Age 81
Larry
DeResh, 81, died May 14. Known as “Rock” to his family and friends. He
enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a military police officer,
earning a prestigious award for marksmanship. After serving in the Army,
he worked as an officer in the Bedford Police Department and the
Yorktown Police Department, where he was the first K9 handler in
Westchester County with his K9 partner Fritz. Rock went on to be a U.S.
marshal until his retirement. He is survived by his children, Larry
DeResh, Rick DeResh, Dori Pochintesta and
Danielle Forma (Baird). Memorial donations may be made to the National
Police Dog Foundation (nationalpolicedogfoundation.org).
Richard "Ricky" T. O'Connell
5/4/23 - Massachusetts - Age 71
Richard "Ricky" T. O'Connell, 71, passed away with family by his side on
5/4/23 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center, O'Connell served his country
during the Vietnam War with the U.S. Air Force Police K9 Unit.
Officer Stephen E. Beland
5/12/23 - Lowell, Massachusetts - Age 54
Officer Steve Beland, 54, a Lowell police
officer, died unexpectedly on Friday, May 12 in Tyngsborough. He served
the Lowell Police Department in different capacities since 1993. Beland
worked as a K-9 officer with his canine partner Vopo, as a member of the
department’s original Gang Unit. He
graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence in 1986 where he
"excelled" in track and field. Beland earned his bachelor's degree from
Merrimack College and would go on to earn his master’s degree in
Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. Beland leaves behind his wife
Jennifer and his daughter Lily age 13 years old.
In
lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in
his name to a charity or benefit that is meaningful to you.
Lt. Bob Stewart
4/22/23 - Pottawatomie, Oklahoma - Age 50
Lt. Stewart as a
Reserve Deputy with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, a K-9
Officer for the Shawnee Police Department, before he was back at PCSO,
where he was currently serving as a lieutenant. He was preceded in death
by his daughter, Megan Stewart and
has a surviving daughter Morgan Stewart.
Officer Robert "Bobby" Kenyon Jr.
4/20/23 - University of Rhode Island - Age 47
Robert "Bobby" Kenyon Jr., 47, passed away on 4/20/23 unexpectedly at
Yale New Haven Hospital
after a brief battle
with a highly aggressive bacterial blood infection with his family by
his bedside.
Officer Kenyon served with URI Police for just over
five years. He was employed there up until his passing. Prior to
that, he spent sixteen years with the Hopkinton Police Department where
he retired as a sergeant.
His passion as a K-9 handler was shown in both
Departments alongside his companions Axel and Phender. Officer
Kenyon and was his K9 partner, Phender, was a black
Labrador Retriever and
was certified in Narcotics by NESPAC and NAPWDA and worked with the
University of Rhode Island Police Department. Kenyon graduated
from Chariho High School in 1994 , after graduating he served in the
U.S. Coast Guard and completed four years of active duty. He leaves
behind his wife Carrie and two children,
Jordynn Cahoon and Robert W. Kenyon III. In
lieu of flowers donations may be made to Stand Up for Animals, 33 Larry
Hirsch Ln, Westerly, RI 02891, Rhode Island Special Olympics, 370 George
Washington Hwy, Smithfield, RI 02917 or the charity of the donor’s
choice.
Deputy Josh Owen
4/15/23 - Pope, Minnesota - Age 44
Pope
County Deputy Josh Owen, was on duty during his 44th birthday when he
was shot and killed. Deputy Owen was taken to Glacial Ridge Hospital in
Glenwood in critical condition after being shot. Owen had been with the
department for nearly 12 years. His K9 Karma was not injured. The other
Pope County deputy wounded by gunfire was identified as Deputy Brody
Merrill, Owen’s partner. The incident happened after the officers
responded to a domestic call at around 7:30 p.m. on the 400 block of
Stromen Street in Cyrus. There was an exchange of gunfire between
officers and a man at the home during an attempted arrest. The man
opened fire on the officers and Deputy Owen was struck and killed.
Deputy Owen was honored in 2022 with a distinguished service award after
helping to rescue a neighbor from a burning home on 11/25/22. Deputy
Owen also served in the U.S. Military. He leaves behind his wife Shannon
and a 10-year old son named Rylan.
Officer Benjamin Jerome McPeek
4/8/23 - Franklin, Indiana - Age 71
Benjamin
Jerome McPeek, 71, of Franklin Indiana died 4/8/23. He was honorably
discharged from the US Army and proudly served during the Vietnam War.
He was a certified law enforcement officer for the State of Ohio,
serving at the Erie County Sheriff Office. His tenure at the sheriff
office included such roles as: certified underwater scuba diver with
Erie County Sheriff Office underwater recovery team and as a certified
police canine trainer, & handler, until his medical retirement. Benjie
owned and operated Firelands Kennels in Amherst, Ohio, where he imported
police canines from Germany and Czechoslovakia for law enforcement
purposes. His expertise with training dogs over the years qualified him
as a court recognized expert. Some of his dogs were used nationally and
also internationally at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Korea for bomb
detection and crowd control. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betsy
McPeek.Benjie is survived by his his children: Ryan M. McPeek
(Anastasia) and Sarah K. Elms. In lieu of flowers, contributions in
Benjie's memory may be made to the K-9 Unit of Erie County Sheriff
Office, 2800 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.
Officer Misael "Mase" Antonio Aguaro
4/4/23 - Tulare, California - Age 40
Officer Misael “Mase” Aguayo, Tulare Police Department committed suicide
on 4/4/23. At 3:54 p.m. department officials tried to contact Aguayo,
who was on duty. Several attempts to reach him by radio and phone went
unanswered. When officers went to find Aguayo, they discovered he'd died
by suicide. Aguayo started his law enforcement career as a
Tulare Police Department explorer, and in September 2004, he was hired
as a community service officer. He attended the police academy and
became a sworn police officer in 2006. Mase served as a gang detective,
school resource officer and was on SWAT. He was also a police dog
officer with his partner “Cowboy.” He was recently assigned to the HALO
team (Homeless Assistance Liaison Officer). Misael Aguayo is
survived by his sons Michael Misael Aguayo and Matthew Anthony Aguayo,
His partner Brittney Gilbert and her children KaiLee Gilbert and RyLee
Gilbert.
Officer Jeffery Lynn Clayton
3/30/23 - Lakeland, Florida - Age 65
Jeffery Lynn Clayton,
65, of Homosassa Springs, FL died peacefully in his sleep at home on
March 30, 2023. Jeff graduated in 1975 from Lyman High School, Longwood,
FL, where he was a standout athlete in football, baseball and wrestling.
He played football for Bethany College (WV) and Troy State College (AL).
For several years he was a salesman for such companies as Hilti
fasteners, Sea Ray boats and Golden Rule insurance. When he moved with
Pitney Bowes to Chicago, his Jeep Scrambler was stolen the very first
night he stayed in the city. His dream was to become a law enforcement
officer and in 1989 he joined the City of Lakeland, (Florida) Police
Department. During his police days, he served the K-9 unit with his
beloved partner Snickers, Community Policing bicycle unit, Patrol unit,
was a Field Training Officer, and Detective. During the police academy,
he was awarded the Top Gun for his shooting ability and competed in the
Police Olympics where he earned several medals with his shotgun. He
retired in 2015. He is survived by his wife of 19 years Tammy Christian
Clayton, five children (with Susan Conrad Black m. 1985-2000) Randi
(Bobby Callaway), Benjamin (Avery), Samuel, Jessi (Tyler Harden) and
Jacob.
Richard "Rick" James VanStone
3/23/23 - Albany, Georgia - Age 67
Richard
"Rick" James VanStone, 67, of Albany died 2/23/23, at the Willson
Hospice House.He received full military honors. He retired from the U.S.
Army, worked with the Albany Police Department and Customs and Border
Protection. Mr. VanStone loved working with K-9's everywhere he worked.
He was a member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church and the American Legion
Post 30. Survivors include his wife Catherine VanStone; a son Richard
VanStone; and a daughter Christina Bivens.
Sergeant Michael Lee Henry
3/11/23 -
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Age 78
Michael
Lee Henry, 78, of Hummelstown, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday,
March 11, 2023 in his home. Mr. Henry was a canine police officer and
retired as a Sergeant for the City of Harrisburg. After retirement, he
was a bus driver and instructor for Capital Area Transit. Mr. Henry was
a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Surviving is his wife, Rita
M. (Kmecak) Henry; daughter, Jennifer Gates. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions can be made to HKC Canine Foundation, P.O Box
4804 Harrisburg, PA 17111.
Lewis A. "Skip" Norton Jr.
3/10/23 - Inverness, Florida - Age 78
Lewis A. "Skip" Norton, Jr., age 78, Inverness, FL passed away March 10,
2023 under the care of his family and the HPH Hospice Care Center in
Lecanto. He was employed by the Citrus County School System as a
custodian for well over 20 years. He served our country during the
Vietnam Era in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Vietnam Dog
Handlers Association. Skip served in Vietnam as a Military Police Dog
Handler, along with his canine partner, Rommel. He is survived by his
son, Brett Norton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Norton,
on Christmas Day in 2022. Graveside military honors were held at Florida
National Cemetery on Friday, March 24, 2023.
Captain Bruce A. Mann
2/26/23 - Amherst, New York - Age 53
Captain
Bruce A. Mann, 53, suddenly passed away on 2/26/23. Mann began his
career in 1990 after graduating from the Erie County Law Enforcement
Training Academy. In 2004, he completed the canine law enforcement
training with his new partner Chase. He remained as the Amherst Police
Department’s K9 Officer until 2010 when he was promoted to detective. He
was a member of the Honor Guard and oversaw the Crime Scene Evidence
Team. Over the years, Mann climbed the ranks making Lieutenant and then
Captain in 2021. He served his community for over 32 years.
Officer Brian Miller
2/23/23 - Burlington, New Jersey - Age 41
Officer
Brian Miller, a 17-year veteran of the Burlington County Sheriff's
Office, died on 2/23/23 from cancer. He graduated from the Burlington County Police Academy Class 91 in
2006. He had served as a handler to K-9 Donatello. During his tenure as
an officer he received over
24 Acommendations for assorted accomplishments and accolades. He worked
as an explosive detection dog handler, a traffic unit
officer, mentor in the EquestianYouth Mentoring Program as well as
assisting his fellow Brothers in Blue as a Field Training Officer. Brian
was just posthumously honored with the promotion to the rank of
Sergeant. Brian leaves behind his two sons, Noah and Brandon. Memorial
donations may be made to the Brian's Boys Fund https://gofund.me/4836591b
John "Jack" Appolonia
2/21/23 - Cape May, New Jersey - Age 84
John
"Jack" Appolonia,84, established a police canine unit in New York City
in 1983, providing a vital new tool in the Big Apple's war on crime
during a time of increasing fear and lawlessness, died February 21, 2023
after a long illness. In addition to Joann, Jack is survived by sons
John, Richard. He joined the Navy after high school and the
Philadelphia Police Department in 1960, leaving in 1983 to come to New
York.An acknowledged expert in canine training, Jack was a consultant to
a number of law enforcement agencies, including the Port Authority
Police Department. He trained canine teams from dozens of departments in
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and federal agencies. He believed
that by providing a cop with an alternative to deadly force, he spared
that officer the trauma, the regret, the second-guessing a cop
experiences when forced to use his or her weapon. "No cop loses a
night's sleep when the dog bites somebody," Jack said. Thousands of cops
trained by Jack, or trained by the people Jack trained, thank Jack that
they did not have to shoot.In 1980, after several New York police
officers were shot, a New York journalist recently arrived from
Philadelphia went back to his home town to report on the successful
canine program there. Police
Officer John Appolonia, chief canine trainer in Philadelphia, was quoted
extensively. As a result of that story, the New York Transit Police, the
subway cops, then a separate department from the NYPD, established a
pilot program. Jack worked with Transit Police to select an elite team
of 12 officers. They had to be physically fit, experienced and with
unblemished records. The pilot canine team underwent 14 weeks of
training in Philadelphia, including daily five-mile runs. "No point
having 80 pounds of muscle at one end of the leash and a 200 pound
lard-ass at the other end," Jack said. "And they have to keep their
cool. If a cop uses excessive force, you can fire the cop. If a cop with
a dog uses excessive force, they shut down the canine unit."When the
canine team returned to New York, it set the world on fire. A suspect
who normally would run when a police officer said stop, did not try to
run when a cop with a dog said stop.Jack trained the dog and handler to
love each other. The dogs lived with the handler and family. The dogs
were not vicious and the public did not feel threatened, even petting
the dogs. "You don't train the dog to attack. You keep the dog healthy
and give it love," Jack said. "And the dog will kill or die to protect
you." "When you order the dog to chase someone, the dog sees it as a
game and does it to please you."The pilot program was so successful that
in 1983 New York officials persuaded Jack to retire after 23 years with
the Philadelphia Police and set up a canine program in New York. Working
from a facility at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Jack and and the team he
had trained in turn trained hundreds of canine teams from the Transit
Police, the NYPD, the Port Authority, the National Park Service and
suburban departments. Thousands of cops who had an alternative to using
their gun, thousands of cops who did not have to worry about someone
overpowering them, or who was waiting in the dark to harm them. After
three years, Jack's training cadre was in place and working well and he
was able to step down, continuing his consultant work for years. As
recently as 2020, he served on a New Jersey State commission on
violence. Donations may be made to the Wounded
Warrior Project or
the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Police Chief Duane O. Ellis
2/17/23 - Sonora California - Age 73
Sonora
Police Chief, Duane O. Ellis, 73, led the Sonora Police Department from
1999 to 2005 died at his home on 2/17/23. Sonora.Chief Ellis started
with the department in 1974 as a reserve officer and was hired a few
months after as a full-time officer. He was the department’s first K9
handler with his dog, “Sarge.” He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1984. He
later competed for the position of Police Chief, and was eventually
appointed.
Officer James Muhlbauer
2/15/23 - Kansas City, Missouri - Age 42
Officer
James Muhlbauer of the Kansas City Police Department was killed in a car
accident along with his K9 Champ on 2/15/23 while on duty after a
vehicle crashed into the K9 handler’s patrol unit. The accident
happened at approximately 10:15 p.m. near the area of Benton Blvd. and
Truman Road. A vehicle driven by
Jerron Allen Lightfoot,18,
of Tonganoxie smashed into the police cruiser, then subsequently struck a pedestrian,
Jess Eckes, 52, who was
pinned under the police vehicle who was killed walking
nearby. Police K9 Champ died inside the back of the cruiser and the pedestrian died at the scene, while the
officer was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced
dead. The driver of the striking automobile suffered minor
injuries. Jerron Lightfoot was taken into custody for questioning.
Court records found that 5 seconds before
the impact Lightfoot had been speeding at 84.9 mph, 2 seconds before he
was clocked at 89.7 mph before he slammed on his brakes and hit the
patrol vehicle at 62.3 mph.
Lightfoot's brakes were
working when he ran through a red light southbound on Benton
Boulevard and crashed into Muhlbauer's vehicle as it drove east on
Truman Road. K9 Champ,
a three year old Dutch shepherd
had been in service for about one year. Muhlbauer was a 20-year police
veteran and had been a K9 handler for the past three years. Muhlbauer
was married and leaves behind his wife of 12 years, Cassie, two sons
Ayden and Christian and a daughter Mckenzie. Memorial contributions can
be made to The Officer James Muhlbauer Family Memorial Fund set up by
KCFOP Lodge 99: htts://unionly.io/o/kcfop/honoring-k9-officer-james-muhlbauer
Jerron Allen Lightfoot,
18, of Tonganoxie, was charged with two counts of involuntary
manslaughter. After Judge
Caine read the charges against Lightfoot, two counts of first-degree
involuntary manslaughter,
he responded that he planned to hire his own attorney. At the end of the
initial appearance, Caine set Lightfoot's bond at $30,000/10%. Lightfoot
has posted a $3,000 bond. Judge Caine set house arrest as a condition of
his bond and Jackson County requires house arrest to take place within
county limits for monitoring purposes. Lightfoot will not be allowed to
return to his home in Tonganoxie to stay during his house arrest. He
also can't drive or have contact with Muhlbauer's family or any
witnesses if and when he's released on bond. Lightfoot is set to appear
back in court on Feb. 27 for a bond review hearing. Lightfoot told
officers he tried to stop but his car’s brakes did not work, prosecutors
said. Lightfoot said he felt “a lot of vibration” when he applied the
brakes. A check of Lightfoot’s vehicle showed the vehicle’s brakes were
working. Missouri law defines
involuntary manslaughter, a class C felony, as "recklessly" causing the
death of a person. It is punishable by three to 10 years in prison and
up to a $10,000 fine. His court appearance on 4/11/23, He waived
his right to a preliminary hearing. His next court appearance is
4/21/23. Eckes' children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against
Lightfoot. A Jackson County Circuit Court judge approved a settlement
awarding the family $100,000. On 2/23/24 Lightfoot pleaded gulity that
killed Officer Muhlbaurer, pedestrian Jesse Eckes and police dog Champ.
Jerron Lightfoot pleaded guilty to two counts of felony first-degree
involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Muhlbauer and Eckes.
On
4/24/24 Jerron Lightfoot, was given a 10-year prison sentence for the
deaths of Kansas City Police Officer James Muhlbauer, K-9 Champ, and
victim Jesse Eckes.
Officer Julian Becerra
2/11/23 - Fountain, Colorado - Age 35
Officer Julian Becerra with
the Fountain Police Department for 4.5 years died after he succumbed to
his injuries after falling 40 feet from a bridge in Colorado Springs in
pursuit of a stolen vehicle suspect. The incident occurred on 2/2/23 and
was airlifted to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs where he succumbed to his injuries at 7:14 p.m. on 2/11/23. He was
assisting the Colorado Department of Corrections Parole Unit. Three suspects were involved in
the carjacking incident that led to Officer Becerra falling 40 feet from
a bridge. At approximately 4 p.m. on Feb. 2, Fountain Police Department
was asked to assist in locating a known carjacking suspect from the
Pueblo area who had active felony warrants. The vehicle was believed to
be northbound on I-25 from Pueblo. The vehicle tracking led officers
into Colorado Springs near the Citadel Mall, where several law
enforcement agencies in the region began assisting with locating the
stolen vehicle At approximately 5:30 pm., the stolen vehicle was seen by
officers near Lowe's on North Academy and Platte Avenue. Officers were
unable to safely maintain visual contact due to the suspect driving
recklessly and posing a danger to the public. It is believed the
suspects were attempting to steal another vehicle at Lowe's. At 7:15
p.m., the vehicle was located again, southbound on I-25 heading toward
Fountain. The stolen vehicle was eventually tracked to the area of
Highway 85 and Alegre Circle, where FPD located the vehicle and three
suspects. Officers attempted several tactical vehicle interventions to
stop the vehicle but were unsuccessful. The vehicle was followed south
on Highway 85 through Fountain where the suspects entered the interstate
traveling south in the northbound lanes. Due to the dangerous driving,
officers stopped following the vehicle due to excessive speeds and the
extreme risk to the public. Law enforcement attempted to prevent
northbound traffic on I-25 at mile marker 126 when they learned the
vehicle made a U-turn and was traveling north in the northbound lanes.
Later, officers saw the vehicle pull into the Lowe’s Travel Plaza,
located in the 5500 block of Travel Plaza Drive, where police saw the
suspects attempt to commit another armed carjacking of a community
member in the Lowe’s parking lot. Based on numerous violent felonies
continuing to be committed and the extreme risk to the public, law
enforcement attempted to apprehend the suspects to prevent the loss of
life or serious bodily injury to the public. At approximately 7:45 p.m.,
officers continued to pursue the suspect vehicle northbound on I-25. The
suspect vehicle exited I-25 at South Academy, mile marker 135, where a
tire deflation device was used to disable the vehicle. The vehicle was
partially disabled but continued to elude officers eastbound on South
Academy. Officers then performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention on the
suspects vehicle on South Academy just east of Hartford Street, when the
driver of the stolen vehicle identified as 31-year-old
Devon Bobian, jumped out of the vehicle and began
to run from officers on foot .While officers were trying to capture
Bobian,Officer
Becerra, fell over the bridge and landed 40 feet below and
was then air lifted to a hospital.
Bobian attempted to jump off the bridge to run away from the police, at
which time the officers grabbed him to prevent his escape and fall. As
Bobian was hanging over the bridge he repeatedly stated, “let me go, I
want to die,” according to EPSO. The officers were able to pull him up
to safety and place him into custody without incident. A total of three
suspects were taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County
Criminal Justice Center. Bobian, along with two other suspects, who were
occupants of the stolen vehicle, were arrested and identified as 28-year-old
Danisha Pacheco and 37-year-old
Anthony Vallejos. All suspects were from Pueblo. Bobian
and Vallejos were arrested on active felony warrants, along with
additional felony charges related to this incident. Pacheco was arrested
on numerous felony charges and more charges will be filed against the
woman in the future. All three suspects were taken into custody
and booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. Julian
Becerra is survived by his wife Katie and a 8 year old daughter Bella
and a 1 year old son. Officer Becerra is an Air Force veteran.
Devon Bobian,31, Danisha Pacheco,28,
and Anthony Vallejos,37, were taken into custody and
booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice
Center on 2/2/23.
Opening statements began on 5/2/24 for the trial of Devon Bobian, the
suspect facing a Second-Degree Murder charge in the death of Officer
Julian Becerra.
Lieutenant Charles Randall Smith
2/1/23 - Greenbrier, West Virginia - Age 43
Lt. Charles
Randall Smith "Smitty" of Greenbrier Sheriff's Department died on 2/1/23
at his residence. Randy enlisted in the Army National Guard doing his
basic in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. He did a tour in Afganistan while
serving. Retiring after 23 years of service with the rank of Master
Sergeant. He received numerous awards and citations including a Bronze
Star .He started his career in
Hinton, then Summers County Sheriff's Department before going to
Greenbrier Sheriff's Department for the next 18 years. He was currently
a Lieutenant with his trusted K9 partner, Thelma.
Randy was also a member of the crime scene unit and SWAT unit. He is
survived by his wife Ashley and children Isabelle, Peyton, and Cale
Smith and two step - children. Randy's parents request donations be made
in Randy's name to the VA for further research for PTSD, Cincinnati VAMC
PTSD Research Study at www.research.va.gov
Sergeant Travis Miller
1/19/23 - Lakeland, Florida - Age 44
Sergeant
Travis Miller passed away on the morning of 1/19/23 after a hard-fought
battle with cancer. After he enlisted in the Marine Corps., he served as
a Military Police Working Dog Handler, achieving the rank of sergeant.
Sergeant Miller trained and certified three military working dogs during
his active duty service, deploying with the United States Secret Service
to New York City, NY and Camp David, Maryland. Sergeant Miller was
stationed in Okinawa, JP and Cherry Point, NC where he served as the
canine trainer for his unit. After his time with the Marine Corps,
Miller joined the Polk County Sheriff's Office in 2005, where he's said
to have held many roles, including as a K-9 handler. Once at the
Lakeland Police Department, he continued his work as a K-9 handler,
adding to his extensive experience training and handling four-legged
public servants. In 2017, he and K-9 Hunter were honored with the Diogi
K9 Hero of the Year award by SPCA Florida. "Miller and Hunter were
recognized for an alert that occurred during a traffic stop that
resulted in the confiscation of drugs and arrest. In total Miller had a
combined 22 years of law enforcement experience.Sergeant Miller is
survived by his wife Rebecca Miller Children Troy & Isabella Miller.
Constable Lindokuhle Gift Goba
1/14/23 - Durban, South Africa - Age 40
Constable Lindokuhle Gift Goba, 40, of the Durban K9 Unit was shot and
killed while pursuing the suspect who also was shot and killed in his
own vehicle traveling with a passenger when he saw four men with one
armed.
Goba
questioned the man about the firearm, and the man opened fire on him. He
returned fire but was killed.
The male robbed the cop of his service pistol on Quarry Road in Mayville
also on 1/14/23.
The
passenger in the vehicle was injured, while the four men fled the scene.
A witness reported that prior to the shooting, there was an altercation
as four men wanted to enter the premises with a firearm, which was not
allowed.
South African Police Service (SAPS), in KwaZulu-Natal, members of the
K9 Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crie Investigation (DPCI)
Anti-Gang Unit, and the DPCI National Priority Violent Crime pursued
the suspects. Investigations reportedly led the police to a hospital
which the two suspects were privately rushed to with gunshot wounds from
the shootout with the slain police officer. Police
identified a house in Inanda where the alleged cop killer was cornered.
After the police had introduced and identified themselves as men of law,
the suspect responded with a hail of bullets, and a shootout ensued.
During the shootout, the suspect was fatally wounded.
One suspect succumbed to his
injuries at the hospital. Further investigations revealed the other
suspect had discharged himself and escaped from the hospital ward.
Deputy Oscar Yovani Balanos - Anaisca Jr.
12/16/22 - Cumberland, North Carolina - Age 23
Deputy
Oscar Yovani Bolanos-Anavisca Jr., 23, was killed in the 2:46 a.m.
accident on Gillespie Street on 12/16/22. Office.Nicholas Terlizzi, 24,
of Coronation Drive, is charged with felony death by vehicle and
hit-and-run resulting in death; and misdemeanor driving while impaired,
reckless driving to endanger, driving on a restricted license, driving
without insurance and driving without registration. He was also cited
with a red light infraction.Terlizzi is being held in the Cumberland
County jail without bail. Terlizzi's occupation is listed as a tow-truck
driver. Deputies were investigating a robbery at Circle K at 2990
Gillespie St. when Bolanos-Anavisca Jr. was struck as he walked back to
his patrol vehicle after a tracking K9 chased the scent of the robber.
His K9 was not injured.The driver left the scene, but was located a
short distance away, officials said. Terlizzi's vehicle, identified as a
BMW, was displaying a revoked license plate. Bolanos-Anavisca Jr. was
taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.
Deputy Anavisca leaves behind his fiancée Elena Schmidt.
Officer Rachel McCrow
12/12/22 - Queensland, Australia - Age 29
Rachel McCrow, 29, was killed in the line of duty on December 12, 2022
along with another officer
Constable Matthew Arnold in a violent siege while on duty. The pair
were attacked by Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth, and Gareth’s wife,
Stacey when they attended a welfare check at the deadly trio's property
in rural Queensland, Australia. A loyal dog was left heartbroken after
his owner was killed in the line of duty. The assailants were also
killed in the violent stand-off. Officer Rachel McCrow K9, a Blue
heeler, was taken to McCrow's funeral in the back of a police car and
was clad in blue and white, the traditional police colors, in memory of
his beloved owner. At the memorial service, which attracted around 8000
people, Archibald was given pride of place and sat in the front row,
McCrow's four-legged friend was with her right to the end as he walked
behind her coffin as she was carried out of her memorial service.
Officer Richard Kenneth Brown
12/4/22 - Portsmouth, Rhode Island - Age 70
Richard Kenneth Brown, 70 of Portsmouth, Rhode Island passed peacefully
in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his family on December 4,
2022. Richard is survived by his wife Linda of 50 years; daughters
Jennifer (Mark) Neale and Tammy (John) Krones; son Ronald Brown. Richard
served as a Sergeant in the Air Force for four years, 1971-1975. He
served in South Korea and then was stationed in South Dakota. His
specialty was training dogs for the K9 division of the military police.
Richard earned a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering from
Roger Williams College in 1987 while working at Mine Safety Appliances
Company, where he worked for 12 years after his military service. He
then worked for Acushnet Company (Titleist), for 26 years, retiring in
July of 2014. While at Acushnet Company he managed several multi-million
dollar capital projects in New Bedford, MA and Thailand. Richard joined
the Knghts of Columbus in 2008. He was a member of the Father
Christopher Rooney Council 3618 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. As a member
of the Council, Richard served as Grand Knight and Treasurer.
Captain Scott Henderson
12/2/22 - Bixby, Oklahoma - Age 51
Scott
Henderson was serving as a Captain with SPD as its Chief Investigator
and Training Administrator. Henderson began his career in 1998 and was
previously employed with the Department of Corrections and Bixby Police
Department. While serving Bixby, he was president of Lodge 189 for ten
years and a K9 officer for 16 total years with four different dogs.
Henderson also served as Crisis Negotiator on the Southwest Area
Tactical Team which covers Jenks, Bixby, Sapulpa, and Sand Springs.
Henderson was a member of the International Association of Hostage
Negotiators, ASIS International, Association of Threat Assessment
Professionals, and Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators
Association. He was also an NRA Firearms, Taser, and CLEET LEDT
Instructor. Henderson received his bachelor's degree from Northeastern
State University in criminal justice and an associate’s degrees
from Tulsa Community College and Redlands Community College. Henderson
had recently completed the OSBI Crime Investigators Course offered by
NSU.
Officer Daniel B. Gunn
11/2/22 - Wichita, Kansas - Age ?
Officer
Daniel Gumm died on 11/2/22. Gumm was an eighteen year veteran with
Wichita Police Department. He joined the Army
before joining the Wichita Police Department in 2004. In his last 12 years with the
department, he worked as a K-9 handler, trainer and judge. Gumm had
metastatic esophageal cancer that had spread to his liver that was
diagnosed during the summer. He leaves behind a wife, three children,
and WPD K-9 Bane. His K-9 partner, Rooster, died in the line of duty
attempting an arrest on March 18, 2017. Gumm will now “be reunited with his former partner,
K-9 Rooster.”
Raymond Patrick Carpenter
11/1/22 - Winnfield, Louisiana - Age 78
Raymond Patrick Carpenter was born on May 12, 1944. After high school,
Raymond joined the United States Air Force. He completed basic training
at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX in 1965 and later Air
Police School. He was transferred to England Air Force Base Strategic
Air Command in Bossier, LA for Air Police training. He was sent back to
Lackland AFB in San Antonio for Sentry Dog Training. In July of 1966,
Raymond, along with five other handlers and their dogs, were sent to
South Vietnam to assist in the war. He was promoted to Airman Second.
Their job was to patrol the outer fences of the base at night. Thunder
was his favorite of the three dogs he trained. Thunder saved Raymond's
life twice and it was a story that he would recall vividly. In May 1967,
he returned stateside and was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, WA
where he was promoted to Sergeant. He received an honorable discharge
from the USAF reserve in January 1971. Raymond is also a lifetime member
of the Vietnam Dog Handler Association. He began working as a
Reserve Police Officer with the Winnfield City Police Department in
1991. He was moved to part-time in October of 1993. He enjoyed being a
competition shooter (revolver) for the police department and was a
proficient shooter from 1995-1997. He attended night classes at North
Delta Regional Training Academy in Monroe, LA, graduating in May 1998.
Raymond moved to a full time position in November 1998. He worked
full-time at both, The Enterprise and The City Police Department for 15
years. He retired with the Winnfield City Police Department on March 31,
2022 with 29 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 53 years,
Betty Joe Beck Carpenter; sons, James Ronald Carpenter, Duane Patrick
Carpenter and daughter, Betty Joe Carpenter Morvan.
R. Edward Ernsberger
10/21/22 - Shelby, Ohio - Age 65
Edward Ernsberger, 65, A lifelong resident of Shelby, Ohio died on
10/21/22 after a brief illness. His wife Jane, for the past 40 years,
was by his side.He attended the Richland County Sheriff's Office Police
Academy and upon graduation was sworn in as a deputy sheriff in Richland
County. It was while working undercover on March 27, 1981, he came to
the Willard Police Department and met dispatcher and reserve officer
Jane Fitzwater who he married on March 27, 1982. Assigned to the Shiloh
area as a resident deputy, Ed would become a K9 Specialist and would be
partnered with Bear, a 145-pound rottweiler. On April 13, 1984, Ed and
Bear were dispatched to a call of a suspicious person in the Shiloh
area. They met up with an escaped prisoner from the Ohio State
Reformatory. During a life and death struggle, Ed was shot three times
by the escapee. Bear was shot three times in her chest, taking bullets
that would have struck Ed in the face. The courage shown by both Ed and
Bear that night resulted in Ed being awarded the medal of Valor from the
Buckeye State Sheriff's Association. Bear is on the Ohio Police K9
Memorial. The traumatic events from that night caused Ed to suffer from
severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and he was forced to give up the
career he loved. Bear survived her wounds and returned to duty with Ed.
The courage they both showed that night is now used as training for
officers across the state. Ed worked at several jobs over the years
including car sales, auto parts and manufacturing. He was employed by
Aramark and worked at the Richland Correctional Institution until his
death. Ed was cremated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to
be made to the K9 Bear Memorial Fund. The donations will be given to
area de K9 programs, which are not funded by an entity but rely on
donations to survive. Donations can be left at any Civista Bank in K9
Bear's name or left at the Barkdull Funeral Home at the time of
services.
Sheriff Barry Lynn DeLau
10/14/22 - Isabella, Michigan - Age 79
Sheriff Barry Lynn DeLau , 79, died peacefully at Woodland Hospice House
on 10/14/22 with his family at his side. DeLau retired in 2005, was well
known for his German Shepherd police dog companions, Major and Shadow.
DeLau brought to Isabella County a K9 program that became a valuable
addition to police throughout the county. He worked as an officer for
seventeen years before running for Sheriff of Isabella County. He served in the Army National
Guard. He and his wife Mary Jo Fortino DeLau raised their children
Lisa and Barry II. Memorials can be made to Woodland Hospice House or
the Michigan Sheriffs Association.
Officer Christian Tyler Smith
10/8/22 -Kalamazoo, Michigan - Age 32
Officer Christian Tyler Smith, 32, of the Kalamazoo Department of Public
Safety died on 10/8/22 following a seven month battle with leukemia.
Smith was a six-year veteran of the department, serving as an officer,
firefighter, drug investigator, field training officer and police dog
handler. Smith was a U.S. Marine before joining Kalamazoo Public Safety.
He is survived by his wife, Samatha Smith( Sanford children, Brooks
Michael and Camden Tyler. Those wishing to donate to the family can do
so at any Lake Michigan Credit Union branch, where an account has been
created under Samantha Smith’s name.
Officer Seara Burton
9/18/22 - Richmond, Indiana - Age 28
Officer Seara Burton, 28, a four year veteran and the first female K9
officer for the Richmond Police Department was shot in the head on
8/10/22 and passed away on 9/18/22 at 9:59 p.m., thirty nine days after being shot.
She and her K9 partner Brev were called about 6:30 p.m. to assist with a
traffic stop Burton responded to assist other officers with a traffic
stop near North 12th Street and C Street in Richmond. Burton stopped a
man riding a moped and used her K-9 partner, Brev, to conduct, an
open-air sniff. Brev alerted to the possible presence of narcotics.
While officers were talking with the suspect the driver of the moped,
Phillip Matthew Lee,
opened fire with several shots striking Officer Burton in the head.
Other officers returned fire and chased Lee until he was shot and
apprehended. After the shooting officers recovered the gun used in the
shooting, a black Ruger Max 9 mm with a 10-round magazine in it. Court
documents show the following drugs and paraphernalia were found in Lee's
scooter.
Two small
plastic bags containing a substance that tested presumptively positive
for methamphetamine. One small plastic bag containing a substance that
field tested presumptively positive for cocaine, One small plastic bag
containing a substance that tested presumptively positive for heroin.
Burton was taken to a local hospital before being air lifted to Miami
Valley Hospital in Dayton,Ohio. Lee was transported to a Richmond
hospital after being shot. Officer Burton's K9 partner Brev was not
injured during the incident and is currently being cared for by one of
the investigators that was a former K9 handler. Officer Burton and her
fiancée, Sierra Neal, were scheduled to be married on 8/19/22, just nine
days after Officer Burton was shot Officer Burton was taken off life
support on 9/1/22.Officer
Burton was transferred to hospice facility in Richmond at Reid Health
Facility on 9/3/22 where she passed away sounded by family members. K9
Brev was retired from the Police Department and is now living with
Seara's mother and stepmother. A bridge was named in Richmond, Virginia
in memory of Seara on 8/14/24.
Prosecutors have filed three attempted murder charges against Phillip
Matthew Lee, 47, the man accused of shooting Burton. Lee of
Richmond
has been held in jail on a $1.5 million bond.
Lee’s
criminal history shows it dates back nearly three decades, starting with
a six-year sentence in Wayne County for burglary in 1994.Lee has served
other sentences on felony convictions for other burglaries and drug
possession charges, meaning he is a convicted felon and should not have
had a weapon.He
also served time in Randolph County for burglary in 2004.In 2019, Lee
was arrested for fondling a child under 14, but that case never went to
a jury trial.
Prior to his trial, Lee will have a pretrial conference on February 3,
2023 for the murder of Officer Burton. His trial is set to start on
2/10/25.
Phillip M. Lee, 48, was found dead in an Indiana prison on 6/6/24 who
was being held at the Pendleton Correctional Facility awaiting his 2025
murder trial for the slaying of Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton,
28. Lee was found alone and unresponsive in his cell about 12:45 a.m.
Officer James S. Smith
9/13/22 -
Liberty, Ohio - Age 56
James S. Smith, 59, passed away peacefully on 9/13/22, at his home,
following a four-year battle with cancer. Jim was a Liberty Township
police officer for 25 years, retiring in 2017, and previously was an
officer in Struthers for five years. He started the first K-9 unit at
the Liberty Police Department. His K-9 co-officer was Valor, who saved
his life twice on duty. He became the department's first police K9
handler in 1993. Officer Smith was instrumental in creating the K9
program, the first the department ever had. and getting policy made
throughout the state of Ohio that K9 officers are able to purchase their
dogs after 5 years. Jim attended the Youngstown State University Police
Academy. Jim was a member of Fraternal Order of Police and Knights of
Columbus.. He played semi-professional football for the Youngstown
Cobras. He owned and cared for 26 husky sled dogs and traveled to race
them. He was preceded in death by K-9 police dog, Valor. Memorial
contributions may be made to New Lease on Life (animal rescue), 2773 E
Midlothian Blvd., Struthers, OH 44471.
Officer Steve Curley
Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania - Age ?
Officer Steve Curley
with the Upper Moreland Police Department served for over 30 years.
Officer Curley worked tirelessly as a K9 officer. He was a frequent
recipient of awards and accolades for his top notch DUI enforcement. To
the Officers at UMPD, he leaves a legacy of hard work, dedication,
bravery. Curley was the recipient of seven Top Gun Awards, which are
honors presented to police officers who make over 50 or more DUI arrests
in a single year. Curley
served as a K9 handler for decades, up until the time his dog passed
away back in 2010, two years before Curley retired from the force. A
plaque was installed at the Upper Moreland Police Department in honor of
K9 Zeus, Curley's K9 Wwho served the department for nine years from
September 2001 to October 2010 at the time of his passing.
Deputy Ned Byrd
August 11 ,2022 - Wake County, North Carolina - Age - 48
Wake
County K9 deputy, Ned Byrd, was killed after being shot in the line of
duty on 8/11/22. ”Byrd, 48, of Raleigh, was shot near Battle Bridge and
Auburn Knightdale roads in Raleigh just after 11 p.m. Deputy Byrd was
outside of his vehicle at the time of the shooting and his K-9 Sasha
remained inside the patrol vehicle. It is believed came down Battle
Bridge Road when he came to a stop and exited the vehicle to check on
some kind of “suspicious activity” at approximately 11:05 p.m. K9 Sasha
was still inside the vehicle which tells us that what he got out on
didn’t appear to be any sort of threat or require any sort of need for
his partner,” Byrd arrived at the location at 11:05 p.m. two hours
elapsed before he was found by another deputy at 1:06 a.m. on 8/12 /22,
There was no indication over their radio communications that deputy Byrd
had been shot numerous times. Byrd was shot three times in the head and
once in the chest that penetrated the vest he was wearing. Byrd spent 13 years in service to Wake
County, first as a detention officer before becoming a deputy.
Deputy Byrd was a United States Air Force Veteran.
Law enforcement is
looking for the suspect and this is an active investigation.
North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association
announced the reward of $100,000 on 8/15/22 for information leading to
the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the
killing of Wake County Sheriff’s Deputy Ned Byrd.
Arturo Mario Sotelo, 29, and his brother
Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo
was taken into
custody on 8/18/22 and made his first court appearance on 8/19/22 and
charged with felony murder. Both face the death penelty.
Marin-Sotelo escaped from the jail at about 1 a.m. on 4/30/23 and left
in a red or burgundy Ford Mustang. The jail guards didn't notice the
inmate missing until about 26 hours after Marin-Sotelo escaped.
Officials believe he manipulated the locking mechanism on the rear exit
door and escaped. Alder Marin-Sotelo escaped from Piedmont Regional Jail
in Farmville, Virginia and captured by Mexican authorities on 5/4/23 in
Guerrero, Mexico. After he escaped, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals
Service offered a combined $70,000 reward for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of Marin-Sotelo.
Sergeant Matthew Ryan Fishman
August 2 ,2022 - Goldsboro, NC - Age - 38
Sergeant Matthew Fishman, 38, was shot and killed while serving
involuntary commitment papers on the 2500 block of Arrington Bridge Road
in Dudley. The shooting happened on 8/1/22. Sergeant Fishman was
transported to ECU Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds the
next day and he died on 8/2/22. The subject fired at Sergeant Fishman
and two other deputies as they arrived at the home at about 10:30 am.
The 23 year old man barricaded himself inside the house until a SWAT
team entered at 8:00 pm and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot
wound after a 10 hour stand off. The two other
deputies Deputy Alexander Torres and Corporal Andrew Cox were
transported to ECU Medical Center and Wayne UNC Hospital and survived.
Sergeant Fishman had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for
12 years and had previously served with the Mount Olive Police
Department before going to Goldsboro Police Department.
Fishman is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their two children Nolan, 14,
and Kara, 10.
In lieu of
flowers donations may be made to:
Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale Trust
Account (on the memo line please put “Fishman Family”)
Mail to: Baddour Parker, Hine, & Hale, PO BOX 916, Goldsboro, North
Carolina.
Officer Gregory Frank Seth
July 18 ,2022 - Vero Beach, Florida - Age - 75
Gregory
Frank Seth "Frank Seth" died on 7/18/22. Greg passed away peacefully at
the age of 75 in Vero Beach, Florida with his son Shane by his side.
Greg had undergone cancer treatment years ago that left him with long
term health complications. Greg succumbed to those complications due to
his courageous battle with cancer years before. Greg is survived by his
wife, Jeannette Carlson, his five children; Jarrod L. Seth, Kimberly D.
Anderson (Shane Anderson), Shane S. Seth (Jill Seth), Tiffany D. Seth,
and Don Houston Kennedy. Greg was born on September 1st, 1946 in
Mountain Grove, Missouri to Isaac Franklin Seth "Frank Seth" and
Virginia Lorraine Smith. Greg grew up in Springfield Missouri and
attended Hillcrest High School graduating in 1964. Greg played football
and was on the swim team. He entered the US Navy and served during the
Vietnam War from 1965 to 1969. Greg was hired by the Seattle Police
Department on April 10th, 1970. Greg was one of the first canine
handlers for the Seattle Police Department. Greg handled two police dogs
during his tenure as a canine handler, Captain Nemo and Justice.Greg's
first K9 partner, Captain Nemo died in the line of duty. Captain Nemo
was the first SPD K9 to die in the line of duty. Greg was respected
among his peers and blazed the path and set a high bar for canine
handlers that followed him. Greg served the citizens of Seattle for 25
years, retiring on May 10th, 1995 as a Police Detective.Greg retired and
enjoyed 27 years of retirement life. Late in life Greg enjoyed spending
time with his wife, Jeannette and his German Shepherd, Thor. In Lieu of
Flowers please consider a donation to the Retired Seattle Police K9
Fund. Donations in honor of Greg Seth can be made via Pay Pal to email
address president@retired-policedogs.com.
Sergeant Raymond Eugene Daniels
July 10 ,2022 - Ridgeland, Mississippi - Age - 43
Ridgeland
Police Department Sergeant Raymond “Ray” Daniels, 43, died unexpectedly
at his home on 7/10/22. Sergeant Daniels served his community with
honor, dedication, and selflessness for more than 20 years...He spent
most of his time with the Ridgeland Police Department working as an
interdiction officer alongside his partner, K9 Canon. He attended
Mississippi Delta Community College’s Law Enforcement Academy,
graduating in 2002 as a certified police officer. As a public servant,
Ray shared his life protecting and serving the communities he lived in
and loved for 20 years. During his 16-year career with Ridgeland Police
Department, he served the city as a patrolman, training officer,
supervisor and swat operator - with his longest tenure as an
interdiction officer and partner to K9 Canon. Shortly after Canon’s
death in 2016, he began his time as a training officer and was
eventually called back to patrol in 2020 as a supervisor. As a K9
handler, he set the bar for community policing and purposeful
engagement. As an instructor, he stabilized the training program -
developing and leading the next generation of police officers for
Ridgeland. As a supervisor, he led from the front - with empathy and
integrity. Ray’s impact and service to the city and its police
department will forever be enshrined in those he served and those he
served with, especially the men and women who will continue to carry his
legacy. Prior to his career with Ridgeland Police Department, he served
the City of Cleveland and the surrounding area through the Cleveland
Police Department, the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Center and
the Volunteer Fire Department Battalion 1. He was also a founding member
of the Delta K9 Search and Rescue Unit. Continuing his service to the
community and others around him, Ray was a proud member of Pearl Lodge
#23. He rose in rank to Master Mason by the age of 39. He was active in
his membership, which was originally established through the Cleveland
Lodge #470. He is survived by his wife, Kristy, his daughter Lauren (15)
and his son Jacob (10).
Officer Graham Reeves Bracey
July 7 ,2022 - Whangarel, Australia - Age - 91
Police
dog handler Graham Reeves Bracey , 91, will be remembered for his
professionalism, strong personality, AND love for his family. Graham was
born on 12 December 1930 and died peacefully on 7 July 2022. July.
Graham’s ashes were carried by son Paul Bracey, who was followed by
family members through an honour guard made up of officers and dogs from
the Auckland and Northland dog squads. The sound of barking dogs echoed
around the Town Basin as they waited, not so patiently, in vans parked
outside the venue. The canine cacophony seemed fitting for a man who was
Auckland’s first dog handler, with his partner Duke. Graham joined
Police in 1955 and he was given Duke to train in 1958. A year later they
became operational. He retired in 1989 and was awarded the Queen's
Service Medal for public service. He not only educated his fellow police
colleagues about the benefits of dogs, but the judiciary as well. By the
time police arrived on the scene the criminal was long gone. Graham and
Duke were dispatched and tracked through farmland and found the man
hiding in a shed. However, when the case came to court the Magistrate
questioned how the dog could find the man and could Police be sure the
defendant was the man involved in the incident. Graham explained the
dog’s training and ability to follow a scent, and confirmed it was the
correct man standing in court. Duke was the only operational dog in
Auckland for four years, so they were kept busy “He loved the dog
section. He helped train the handlers and their dogs. “Graham pioneered
the dog section and tolerated the hardships back in those days and the
kind of complexities that were involved in transport and communications.
Officer
Walter Broussard
July 4, 2022 - California - Age - 62
Officer Walter Broussard, 62, of the University of California Davis
Police Department died 7/4/22 from complications of a heart attack that
he suffered on June10, 2022 while on duty. Broussard served as a UCDPD
officer for over 24 years, and prior to joining the UCD Department, he
served as a Yolo County sheriff’s deputy for 7 years. Throughout his
time at the UCDPD, he took on roles such as K9 officer, defensive
tactics instructor, hostage negotiation and field training officer He is
survived by his wife Mary Grace and his children.
Officer Jacob Russell Chaffins
July 1, 2022 - Allen, Kentucky - Age - 28
K9 Officer Jacob Chaffins of the Prestonsburg Police Department was
shot on 6/30/22 and died from his wound on 7/1/22.
One of the officer's that was pinned under a car by gunfire so long he got carbon
monoxide poisoning while a K9 was shot to death inside the
vehicle in a hail of bullets. Storz fired on officers with a 308
caliber rifle and AR-15 assault rifles.
Chaffins was hit by a shot in the head fired from more than 200
yards while he pulled Reynolds into a back of an SUV.
Officer Chaffins had been on the job for two years. Also killed
in the shootout Deputy Sheriff William Petry, 60, and Captain Ralph
Frasure, 60, of the Prestonsburg Police Department who were killed on
the scene in Allen, Kentucky by Lance Storz, 49, who was wanted for domestic
violence offenses and officers arrived at the home to serve a
warrent.
The woman told deputies Lance Storz was inside the
home and she was only able to leave because he was asleep. Storz's
wife ran to the officers when they arrived. Deputies
retrieved the woman’s daughter who was at another home and took them
both to a safe place.
The woman accused Storz of taking
her phone and holding her hostage inside the home for days. She said
Storz locked her in her bedroom, threw her across the room and beat
her and sexually assaulted her. He brandished a gun and demanded
that she beg for her life and that of her daughter.
The woman told deputies the only time she was able to use a phone
was when Storz was sleeping. That is when she said she was able to
contact a relative for help. That relative then called the sheriff’s
department. She also warned deputies by telling them that Storz had
guns inside the home. An examination at the hospital did show signs
physical assault of the woman.
Four deputies went to the home to
serve the Emergency Protection Order and arrest Storz for fourth
degree physical assault. Deputies got their first glimpse of Storz
in a window behind blinds when they first approached the home.
Storz opened the door ‘like he had been waiting for police’ and
started firing. Storz was wearing a bullet proof vest and backpack
when he started firing at police. Frasure
who was killed had 39 years
of service with the Prestonsburg Police Department. Petry who was
also killed had 31 years of total service. Frasure started
in 1991 with the Prestonsburg Police Department where he remained
until 2005. From 2005 to 2020, he served with KSP and then
transferred to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department.
Numerous jurisdictions responded to assist
following the initial shooting. Storz fired hundreds of rounds
from prepositioned firearms throughout the home. Three other law
enforcement officers and the director of emergency management were
wounded, they were Constable Gary Wolf who
lost one of his
eyes after a bullet broke a window and the shattered glass hit him
in the eye. Wolf is home but is expected to have a few more
surgeries. Floyd County Deputy Darrin
Lawson
Deputy Lawson who was shot in the leg has a long road to recovery
and Floyd County Emergency Management Director Joe Reynolds
was shot in the left eye. Surgery has removed part of his eye, but
will lose that eye entirely. The subject was taken into custody after remaining
barricaded in the home for six hours.
Deputies were
eventually able to negotiate with Storz, with assistance from his
family. Lance Storz shot at officers multiple times with a rifle
around his residence on Main Street in the small town of Allen,
Kentucky, in Floyd County just south of Prestonsburg. Kentucky
State Police were called to the scene at 6:30 p.m., joining local
officers already on the scene. Officer Chaffins was a U.S. Army
veteran, Prestonburg City Police Officer, Member of Prestonburg Fire
Department, Sergeant in the National Guard, EMT and a U.S. Marshall.
Officer Chaffins K9 Nelson, was given to the Chaffins family. Officer Chaffins, is survived by his wife
Savannah and daughter Paisley.
Lance Storz was charged with multiple counts of
murder of a police officer, attempted murder of a police officer,
and assaulting a service animal. Lance Storz is being held on
a $10 million bond after he shot six officers on 6/30/22, killing
three and injuring three others.
Storz was
arraigned on 7/1/22 by a judge in Pike County. He pleaded not guilty
to two counts of murder of a police officer. One of the charges was
originally attempted murder of a police officer, but a judge said at
the hearing that was upgraded to murder. Storz, who is in jail in Pike County, is next due in court for a
preliminary hearing July 11 at 1:30 p.m. Storz was scheduled to
appear in court for a hearing on 7/11/22 at 1:30 but instead the
judge announced that the hearing was no longer necessary since the
grand jury had already issued a 20 count indictment. Storz was
indicted on 20 charges on 7/11/22. Three counts of murder of a
police officer and six counts of attempted murder of an officer,
seven counts of wanton endangerment against a police officer, three
counts of assault and one count of assaulting a service animal. Storz used
multiple firearms in the attack on law enforcement. Storz was also
accused of raping his own wife. He kept his wife and child under his
control and didn't let them escape when she told him that she had
found an apartment. Storz will be arraigned on the
indictment at 10:30 on 7/12/22. On 8/8/22 Storz pleaded not guilty. Storz is eligible for the
death penalty. His next court appearance
is 8/1/22. Without the death penalty, Storz still faces life in prison without parole if he is convicted.
He has a criminal case in Volusia County as
well, where he had shot down a migrating bird with a shotgun.
There was also a complaint against him for the emergency order of
child protection. There
are records of him going bankrupt in 2015 and 2008 and there was a
recent liability of more than $400k. He was also keeping a rifle
stored up illegally and was using various types of weapons in the
attack.
Lance Storz committed suicide on
2/28/22 at the Pike County Detention Center. A Pike County grand
jury released new details after investigating the death. They added
their decision made based on surveillance video they reviewed from
the Pike County Detention Center. The video showed Storz was housed
in a pod of four individual jail cells, and he had one cellmate with
him. On February 28, surveillance video recorded the deputy jailer
making his rounds at 2:13 a.m. and looking into each jail cell. The
next minute, Storz left the cell and went into a communal restroom.
During this time, the jury said Storz appeared to have hidden items
under his clothing, and it was believed to be bedsheets. They said
his bedding was also arranged to make it look like Storz was still
there. During the next several hours, cellmates entered the restroom
three different times. However, they said they did not see Storz
because he was in a shower stall. Officials said Storz was found
dead in the shower stall at 6:36 a.m. Between the testimony, the
evidence and the surveillance video, the jury concluded that Storz
died of suicide by hanging, and they said he acted alone.
Deputy Brad Johnson
June 30, 2022 - Bibb County, Alabama - Age 32
One of the two Bibb
County Sheriff’s Office deputies who was shot in the head on
6/29/22 from a police motor vehicle pursuit and died on 6/30/22
. Brad
Johnson,32, was an organ donor. Johnson was a K9 officer and his K9
partner was K9 Bodie. The incident began on the evening of June 29 after
Deputy Johnson, 32, and BCSO Deputy Chris Poole, 30, spotted a suspected
stolen vehicle. The deputies pursued the vehicle until the driver – later
identified as 26-year-old convicted felon Austin Patrick Hall opened
fire on them along Highway 25 in the Brierfield area. Brad Johnson and
Chris Poole were transported to University of Alabama Birmingham
Hospital for treatment. A 16-agency manhunt ensued with local, state,
and federal law enforcement officers working together to track down the
gunman. The U.S. Marshals Service announced that Hall had been
captured in the morning on 6/29/22 The man accused of shooting Johnson
and Deputy Chris Poole, was is not facing life-threatening injuries.
Deputy Poole survived the attack and was released from the hospital to
continue his recovery at home on 6/28/22, On the morning
6/30/22 Sheriff Johnson’s brain activity was minimal and doctors would
take the fallen hero off life support later in the afternoon. Deputy
Johnson, a K9 handler who served the BCSO for more than seven years. In
addition to his service as a law enforcement officer, Deputy Johnson was
also a former volunteer firefighter. Deputy Johnson “grew up in the
fire department” after becoming a volunteer firefighter explorer at the
age of 14. He eventually became a lieutenant with the fire department.
He
was surrounded by his family when he was pronounced dead at 3:18 p.m. He
leaves behind his fiancé and his two children.
Austin Patric Hall (Previous Records) In October 2019,
Hall escaped from the Camden Work Release Center. He had
started a nearly 10-year sentence the previous year after being found
guilty of second-degree theft of property. While he was being held in
the Calhoun County Jail in 2020 after his recapture, court records show,
authorities say Hall attack an officer and tried to choke him. He was
charged with second-degree assault. Hall in April was booked into the
Chilton County Jail in connection with a 2019 third-degree burglary. He
was released April 20, 2022, after posting $22,500 bond.
Hall has a lengthy
criminal history. Hall has an extensive criminal history that dates
back to 2012 with 46 charges since he was 17. He was indicted in May on 10 charges of
second-degree receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment,
second-degree assault, illegally carrying a firearm, drug possession,
resisting arrest, attempting to elude, and third-degree burglary in
Calhoun County, but was out on bond when he opened fire on the deputies.
Hall was apprehended in
the Bulldog Bend area of Bibb County at about 8:50 a.m. on June 30,
The U.S. Marshal Service was offering a $15,000 reward for
information that leads to Hall’s arrest. Austin Patrick Hall, 26,
will be arraigned on 7/1/22 on charges of capital murder and attempted
murder. Hall is being held without bond in Shelby County Jail. On August
3, 2023 Hall pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect
and will undergo evaluations to determine if he is mentally capable of
undergoing a trial. Hall is facing the death penalty or life in prison.
Deputy Jeff Hermanson
June 22, 2022 - Saunders, Nebraska - Age 45
Deputy Jeff Hermanson passed unexpectedly on 6/22/22 while on duty when
he began to feel ill following an arrest of a stolen car suspect.
Hermanson proceeded to get examined at the hospital and suffered from a
heart issue that led to his sudden passing. Hermanson joined the
department part-time in 2001 before moving to a full-time position in
2007, later becoming the department's K9 handler for K9 Rudy and K9 Mac.
He leaves behind his wife and Hermanson joined the department part-time
in 2001 before moving to a full-time position in 2007, later becoming
the department's K9 handler for K9 Rudy and K9 Mac. He leaves behind a
wife and two teenage sons.
Joseph Van Lith
June 18, 2022 - Deer River,
Minnesota - Age 80
Joe Van Lith, age
80, of Deer River, MN, passed away on 6/18/22, surrounded by his family,
at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, MN after a
courageous battle with lung cancer. Joe honorably served his country in
the U.S Air Force as a Military Police/K-9 handler during the Vietnam
War era and Cuban Missile Crisis. Joe is survived by his wife Marty of
56 years; daughters Jill Van Lith, Holly Van Lith and Amber Peratalo
(Darin).
Officer Dennis Lee Nix (RET)
May 22, 2022 - Dewey,
Oklahoma - Age 77
Officer
Dennis Nix, passed away on 5/22/22. He was one of the first certified bomb technicians in the state,
and he was the first K-9 handler in Washington County. His work with the
area's first K-9, "Stray," helped set the pace for those who would come
after. Dennis joined the United States Air Force and was honorably
discharged in 1966. He work at the
Bartlesville Police Department, where he served for twenty years. He
then went to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, where he served
another twenty years, some of which, he was the Undersheriff. Following
his retirement from the Sheriff's office, Dennis worked at the RSO
Campus for ten years all while owning and operating his own security
company, Tri-Cross Security L.L.C. Dennis married Peggy Sue Thompson and
enjoyed over thirty-nine years together. Dennis received several awards
throughout his law enforcement career, two of those being Bartlesville
Policeman of the year in 1970 and Deputy of the year in 1995. He was
also a bomb tech for the city from 1982 to this day, even responding as
a bomb tech to the Murrah Building Bombing in Oklahoma City. He was also
on the 11th Judicial Drug Task Force. Dennis is survived by his wife,
Peggy Sue, sons Jason Nix and Shane Nix , daughter Michelle Sterner He
was preceded in death by his son Christian Nix. Donations in Dennis's
name be made to the Bartlesville First Baptist Church Family Life
Recreation Center.
CMSgt
Robert
"Bob" Harrison Riley Jr.
May 21, 2022 - Kentucky - Age
87
CMSgt
Robert “Bob” Harrison Riley Jr. (Retired), 87, passed away May 21, 2022,
at Western Kentucky Veterans Center after a long battle with
Alzheimer’s. Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Riley; two
daughters, Donna (Quincy) Stephenson and Carol Vernon, and his son,
Robert H. Riley III. Bob leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion and
service to his country. He served in the Air Force for 27 years, over 25
of which were in the Security Police, retiring as Chief Master Sergeant.
During his time in the service, Bob served at sixteen different
permanent duty stations, plus numerous temporary duty stations. Of his
service in the Security Police, most of it was in the K-9 division,
beginning as a dog handler in 1956 and advancing to NCOIC, Kennel
Master, Dog Training Instructor, and recognized as the top Technical
Instructor of the Department of Air Police Training in 1967. During his
tour in Vietnam in 1965-’66 as NCOIC of the Sentry Dog Section, he
organized the perimeter security at Tan Son Nhat Air Base with the first
security dogs assigned to Vietnam. While there, he earned four bronze
stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.After a temporary duty
assignment at Fort Gordon, GA to assist at the U.S. Army Military Police
School, Bob received a permanent duty assignment to Fort Campbell, KY in
1969 to train the Army Military Police in the development of dog teams
on recon and combat patrols, ambush, water-borne patrol, helicopter
transportation, and VC village search. While being assigned as Kennel
Master at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, he assisted the Sheriff
department in organizing and training patrol dogs for use in law
enforcement.During his tour of duty in Thailand, Bob redirected the dog
training program at Utapaou to reflect their need for law enforcement
operations and security operations. He was then transferred to Korat AB
to take over as Air Base Defense NCOIC and assist the Thai Military Dog
Program at Chantak. Six months later, he was transferred to Udorn to
supervise the Royal Thai Military Dog Training Program until the end of
his tour. Capping his career in the Security Police was being Chief of
Security Police at Andrews AFB, MD, where Air Force One is hangared,
being responsible for the safety and security of the President and other
government officials, both domestic and foreign.This was highlighted
during his tenure when Menchem Begin of Israel and Anwar Sadat of Egypt
were flown in for the Camp David Peace Accord talks with President Jimmy
Carter. After retiring from the military, Bob worked for the Kentucky
State Penal System at the Penitentiary until his retirement from there.
Richard Larkin Butterfield
May 16, 2022 - Palm Coast,
Florida - Age 77
On March, 16, 2022, Richard Larkin Butterfield passed
peacefully in the comfort of his home in Palm Coast, Fla. after a long
and courageous battle with cancer. He graduated from Averill Park High
School in Averill Park, and earned his bachelor's degree from The
University of the State of New York. Rick proudly served his country as
a member of the United States Army from 1963 to 1970. He was
commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from Officer Candidate
School at Fort Benning, Ga. in March 1965 and sent to Vietnam as a
Pathfinder team leader, 11th Pathfinders 1st Cavalry Division. He saw
combat in the battles at LZ X-Ray, LZ Columbus and LZ Albany - la Drang
Valley, where he and his team directed helicopter resupply and medical
evacuation and rescue missions. It was here that he was wounded and did
not leave his team until all other wounded soldiers were removed from
the battlefield. Rick served his second tour in Vietnam in 1968 as
captain and company commander of E company 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry
101st Airborne. His company conducted many combat operations. After
recovering from injuries at Camp Zama in Japan, he returned to Vietnam
and served as team commander with the 5th Special Forces Group
(Airborne) Green Berets assigned to MACV-SOG. Missions from this unit
were classified. He earned 28 personal awards and decorations including
the Purple Heart. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate
School Hall of Fame in 1995. Honorably discharged from active duty, he
then served with the New York Army National Guard from 1970 - 1995 as a
company commander, Battalion Commander 2nd of the 105th Infantry and as
the commander of the 1st Brigade 42nd Infantry Division. He was breveted
to the rank of brigadier general upon his retirement in 1995. As a
civilian, Rick spent 35 years with the New York State Police serving
from 1970 to 2006. During his time on the force, he received
certification at the Canine Handlers Basic School with his K-9 partner
Frey who was trained in explosives detection. Rick moved into undercover
work as an investigator with CNET and the BCI. His undercover
initiatives were essential to many investigations, arrests and
convictions in many areas of criminal activity. He also spent time as a
firearms instructor, rifle sharpshooter, member of the Underwater
Recovery Team and was the Police Benevolent Association delegate for
Troop G. After retiring from the N.Y.S. Police, Rick joined the Warren
County Sheriff's Office as marine patrol on Lake George and then was
cross designated to go back undercover to work on a task force with
N.Y.S. Police CNET where he again received commendation for his
undercover work. As a young police officer, he was involved in the
search for serial killer Robert Garrow. This experience led him to be
associate producer of the Adirondack Films production of Garrow. His dog
Harper was by his side until the end. He is survived by his wife, Cathy
Bullis Robinson Butterfield of Palm Coast, Fla.; his daughter, Lori
Larkin Lasch (Mark) of Albany; his son, Hayden Tod Butterfield (Kelly)
of Rensselaer. He was predeceased by his son, Eric Gardner Butterfield.
Funeral services with full military honors will be held on June 9, in
the Saratoga National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those
wishing to remember Rick in a special way may send memorial
contributions to the Wounded
Warrior Project or
a local charity
of their choice.
Officer Stephen Plum Jr.
May 16, 2022 - Warington, Pennnsylvania - Age
38
Officer Stephen Plum Jr., died of a cardiac arrest while at home on
5/16/22. He was an eight-year veteran of the Warrington
Police force. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice and was
pursuing his bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University.
Plum worked with K-9 Murphy." He was in the U.S. Marine
Corps from 2003-2007 and served in Iraq. He married Kathleen Doyle, and
they had a son Andrew. After a divorce, he married Nancy DeLucas, and
they had sons Aiden, Wyatt and Emmet and daughter Francesa. He leaves behind his wife Nancy and five children, four
sons, Andrew, Aiden, Wyatt, Emmett and a daughter Francesca.
A portion of Route 611 from Upper Barness
Road to Oakfield Road has been named the Officer Stephen C. Plum Jr.
Memorial Highway.
Deputy Director David Michael Richardson
May 11, 2022 - Bensalem,
Pennnsylvania - Age 48
Deputy
Director David Richardson died at home surrounded by his family after a battle with pancreatic cancer
over the last year. Richardson was a police officer in Bensalem Township
for the past 24 years. He started as a patrol officer and was a member
of the K9 unit for 13 years with his two K9 partners, Czar and Prince.
He was promoted to sergeant and was the supervisor for the K9 unit,
Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigations Division before being
promoted to the position of lieutenant. As a lieutenant, he was the
commander of the Criminal Investigations Division and the K9 unit. On
Jan. 21, 2022, he obtained a career long goal of becoming the Deputy
Director of Public Safety. Richardson received a Bachelor's Degree from
Lock Haven University, a Master's Degree from Oklahoma University and
graduated from Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and
Command. He leaves behind his wife Johanna of 23 years, and two
daughters Bailey and Ella Richardson. Memorials in Dave's memory can be
made to Johanna Richardson c/o Tomlinson Funeral Home. P.C.. 2207
Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020 for a future memorial fund for Dave's
wife and children.
www.tomlinsonfh.com
Officer Roy Drew Barr
April 24, 2022 - Cayce, South Carolina - Age 28
Officer
Roy “Drew” Barr, 28, of the Cayce Police Department in South
Carolina was shot and killed while he responded to
a domestic disturbance call in the early morning. The CPD was called to
the 100 block of Romswell Road at approximately 2:48 a.m., and officers
made contact with a man in the front yard of the residence. As they
were making contact with the individual – the male individual who was in
the front yard of the home – there were shots that came from inside the
house. One of those shots struck and killed officer Drew Barr. A
seven-hour-long standoff with the shooting suspect ensued as the CPD,
the Columbia Police Department Negotiations Team, and personnel from at
least seven other agencies worked to defuse the situation, but
the shooter Austin Henderson ,36, ultimately killed himself. Barr, who was also an EMT and
firefighter, moved to Cayce in 2016 before graduating from the Criminal
Justice Academy in 2017. In October 2020, he was promoted to the K9 unit
and was paired up
with K9 Molly, a five-year-old Labrador. In 2017, both Barr and Sgt.
Evan Antley were shot “during an incident that involved a car chase and
gunfire.
Five years earlier in 2017 when Barr
had recently graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy he was shot for the first time along with Sgt.
Evan Antley involved a stolen car driven by Eugene Jonathon James, 24,
saw speeding on Knox Abbott Drive around 12:30 a.m. The officers
attempted to make a traffic stop, the car kept going and a chase ensued,
eventually crossing the Blossom Street bridge into Columbia. The pursuit
continued through an area near the University of South Carolina’s campus
before James turned onto a dead end at Gist Street, not far from
Founders Park. James jumped out of the stolen car and ran down a
footpath near the woods on the Riverwalk before jumping into the brush
and waiting in the ditch for the officers to approach. He then “assumed
a crouched position, which appeared to the officers to be lying in wait
for them. After threatening to use his Taser to get James to comply, one
of the officers heard gunshots and felt pain. The officer had been shot
in the chest and leg, and the second officer was shot in the leg.
Although both suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds from the stolen pistol
that James shot with, both officers were able to return fire. The
wounded officers called for help, and the officers who then responded
found James in the wood line with a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun.
The serial number on the gun had been burned in an attempt to obliterate
it; however, authorities were able to restore the serial number and
determine that the gun was stolen during the theft of a car in
Orangeburg several days earlier, The car James was driving also had been
reported stolen during a carjacking in Orangeburg before the shooting.
Both Barr, who at the time of the 2017 shooting, and Antley were
awarded medals for their bravery. James, who was charged by federal and
state law enforcement, ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple crimes,
including two counts of attempted murder, failure to stop for blue
lights, possession of a stolen pistol, possession of a firearm by a
person convicted of a violent felony, possession of a stolen vehicle and
speeding. In 2021, James was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In 2018,
James pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of
a firearm and ammunition. At that time, James was sentenced to 10 years
in federal prison, a sentence he will serve after completing his 20-year
prison stint on state charges.
Officer Michael Mabardy
April 19, 2022 - Nantick, Massachusetts - Age 39
Natick Police K9 Officer Michael Mabardy was an 11-year veteran and
previously worked for the Nantucket, MA police department. He received
several accommodations, including the Life Saving Award. Mike also
served as a Field Training Officer as well as a member of the S.W.A.T.
team. Michael was a member of the Natick and Massachusetts Police
Officer Association. Mabardy suffered a medical emergency while playing
hockey at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough.
As part of his role, Mabary investigated incidents with Axel, his K9
partner. Devoted father of Avalynn, Emily,
Madison and Mackenzie, and beloved partner of Elizabeth Morrison. In
lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael may be made to his
Children’s Education Fund, C/O Michael G. Mabardy, PO Box 6254 Natick,
MA 01760.
Officer George D. O'Brien
April 18, 2022 - Hanover, New York - Age 86
Former K9
Officer George D. O'Brien, age 86, of Hanover, passed away peacefully on
April 18, 2022 at UPMC Hanover.He was the loving and devoted
husband of Marta P. Fay O'Brien who passed away in 2002, together they
shared 43 years of marriage.He proudly served his country in the United
States Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. He
worked as a police officer with Metropolitan Police Department's Canine
Unit and later as a Secret Service Agent where he served on Embassy Row
and retired under Vice President Walter F. Mondale's detail in 1978. He
was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Catholic War Veterans,
and the International Police Association. George was also a parishioner
of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Hanover. George is survived by
his daughter Anna Sanders George was preceded in death by his son Martin
O'Brien who passed away in 2015; In lieu of flowers, contributions in
George's memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan
Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.
Sergeant
Busisiwe Mjwara
April 17, 2022 - KwaZulu, South Africa - Age 42
Sergeant
Busisiwe Mjwara, 42, died on 4/17/22 as a result of the KwaZulu-Natal
floods
as well as her police dog Leah who also drowned who
tried to save her during a flood search and rescue operation. At
about 11.30 am Mjwara was conducting a search in the Msunduzi
River for three victims that had drowned earlier in the week, when she
got into difficulty and drowned.
Sergeant Mjwara was airlifted to a nearby hospital but was declared dead
on arrival.
The
officer was hard at work recovering those swept away by the torrential
rains that have battered the province since 4/11/22.The
death toll has risen to 443 with 63 people still missing.
Sergeant Nathaniel Singleton
April 11, 2022 - Dixie, Florida - Age 29
Sergeant Nathaniel Singleton died after an
off-duty crash on 4/11/22. Singleton has been apart of the the
Dixie County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Sgt. Singleton was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown
from his vehicle into the nearby woods.
Officer Ryan Allen
April 7, 2022 - Hatboro, Pensylvania - Age 35
Officer Ryan
Allen, 35, died on 4/7/22 after being stung by a yellow jacket
on 10/14/21. Officer Allen had just returned from a workout at the gym
around 2:30 p.m. when he went upstairs to speak with his wife, Whitney,
to tell her that he had been stung by a yellow jacket. Within minutes of
this conversation, Allen an officer with the Hatboro Police Department,
then went into unconscious, having suffered anaphylactic shock and
cardiac arrest due to an allergic reaction from the bee sting. He
suffered severe brain damage and was in a coma for a month.
He remained
sedated in critical condition at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in
Philadelphia. His wife Whitney said her husband believed the yellow
jacket had somehow slipped into his shirt as he had the windows open as
he walked home from the gym on his day off from work. Officer Allen
mentioned to his wife “I really don’t feel very well” when he went
upstairs to tell her he had been stung. From there, Officer Allen walked
down the stairs and made his way to the porch, where he collapsed.
Whitney Allen called 911 and then began chest compressions on the
instructions of the emergency dispatch operator. EMS staff continued
with CPR upon arrival at home and then took Officer Allen to Doylestown
Hospital. Whitney Allen said she later transferred her husband by
helicopter to Penn Presbyterian in town, as that hospital is a Level 1
trauma center with more treatment options. On 3/8/21 it was announced he
suffered a heart attack and serious brain injury following the bee sting
and was not expected to survive. Several months after the police
officer’s cardiac arrest swelling in his brain had subsided, but a
recent MRI has revealed shrinking of the brain and that crucial portions
of his brain were no longer present. Ryan was discharged from
being treated at Moss
Rehabilitation on hospice care on 3/17/22 and had a procession back to spend his remaining days surrounded by
loved ones and friends in a peaceful setting close to home. Officer
Allen served on the force for nine years since 2013. He helped start
Hatboro Police Departments first police K9 program and served as a
member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. Officer Allen
leaves behind his wife Whitney and 2 young children and
his
four-legged K9 partner, Louie.
Sergeant Chris Vaughn
April 1, 2022 - Cedar Bluff, Alabama - Age 35
Sergeant
Chris Vaughn of Cedar Bluff Police Department died while on duty on
4/1/22 after suffering a medical issue while on duty on Highway 35. Sgt.
Vaughn’s law enforcement career began in 2009, when he joined the
Leesburg Police Department before moving to the Cedar Bluff PD in 2015
and achieving the rank of Sgt. He also served as a K-9 Officer. He is
survived by his wife Ariel Henderson Vaughn, sons Brayden Michael Vaughn
and Brady Thomas Vaughnn. Donations in honor/memory of Sgt. Vaughn can
be made to the Chris Vaughn Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Alabama
Teachers Credit Union in Centre.
Sergeant Charles Herbert Bowman
April 1, 2022 - Topeka, Kansas - Age 92
Former Sergeant Charlie
Bowman, 92, of the Topeka Police Department died on 4/1/22. Sgt. Bowman
was a member of the Topeka Police Department for 33 years between 1954
and 1987. He and his partner Rebel were also the first members of the
department’s K9 unit in 1960.While in high school he joined the Kansas
National Guard 174th Military Police Battalion and was activated during
the Korean conflict serving from 1950 to 1953.
Sergeant Marcus J. McDowell
March 29, 2022 - Joseph, Oregon - Age 48
Oregon State
Trooper, Sgt. Marcus J. McDowell, 48, committed suicide in his patrol
car while on duty on 3/29/22.
Sgt. McDowell, was discovered in the driveway of his home
in Joseph with a single gunshot wound to the head. His body was
discovered at 3:40 p.m. McDowell had “made notice” of his suicide.
McDowell was set to go to trial over divorce proceedings with his wife
of 24 years in May, court records show. McDowell had worked in the
Patrol and Fish & Wildlife divisions over the years and as a police dog
handler around John Day and La Grande, and currently served as the
supervisor for state troopers in Union and Wallowa counties. Sgt.
McDowell had 17 years on the state police force.Marcus is survived by
his daughter, Alysa McDowell and son Auston McDowell.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501
St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to https://www.frsn.org/west-coast-post-trauma-retreat.html
helping first responders with PTSD.
Officer
James Michael Frost
March 24, 2022 - Phoenix , Arizona - Age 74
James Michael Frost had
completed the four year ROTC program and reported for active duty as a
Second Lieutenant in the US Army, Military Police Corps. This was the
beginning of what turned into a life-long career in the Criminal Justice
field. Jim attended Officer Basic for the MPs at Fort Gordon, GA. His
first duty assignment was on Okinawa, which was then under the control
and command of the United States as part of the treaty ending World War
II. Jim's assignment was with a security company within the 196th
Ordnance Battalion and the 137th Ordnance Company, responsible for
special weapons storage on the island. Following this initial tour, Jim
received his orders for assignment to Vietnam, arriving there in June,
1971. He was assigned to the 97th Military Police Battalion and assigned
to a company that influenced his life - the 981st Military Police
Company - Sentry Dogs. It was a unit that provided nighttime security
for ammo dumps and helicopter pads and bases in the Central Highland
area of Vietnam. Working with the dogs and the young men in that company
was an experience Jim never forgot. He always said "all the dogs" were
his, he just loaned them out to the soldiers who came into the unit.
Upon completion of his military obligation, Jim returned to his hometown
of Rapid City and served on the police department. He later moved to
Watertown, SD where he served on the police department and later the
County jail. In 1989, after serving as Chief Corrections officer at the
Codington County jail, he was appointed as Chief Court Services Officer
for the Third Judicial Circuit for 6 years. In 1995 they had opportunity
to relocate to Phoenix, AZ. Jim accepted a position with the Maricopa
County Adult Probation Department where he went through several
assignments. He completed his career in the Fugitive Apprehension Unit
where he developed a program that helped locate those who had absconded
from probation and was successful with many cold case warrants. It was
after attending a Veterans Day parade in Phoenix that he saw something
was missing...there was no entry to honor the dogs that played such a
huge part in our history. With passion and dedication he put together a
Salute to the War Dog entry in the Veterans Day Parade. He recruited the
help of dog clubs, law enforcement agencies and Luke AFB to help honor
the dogs that saved so many lives throughout so many wars. He also
organized a War Dog booth at various canine-related events around the
Valley. He raised funds for the National Military Working Dogs Monument
to be erected at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. Jim was recognized by
the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association and other organizations for his
work.
Corporal Benjamin Lee Cooper
March 8, 2022 - Joplin, Missouri - Age 46
Cpl. Benjamin Cooper, 46, a former K9 Officer, was shot and killed after
responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center on 3/8/22 at
approximately 1:32 pm. Two other officers, Jake Reed,27, and Rick
Hirshey, were also shot in the confrontation. Reed did not survive his
injuries and died three days later on 3/11/22 and donated his organs
before dying. The incident started when officers were called to a
disturbance with an armed man identified as Anthony R. Felix, 40,
near the intersection of Fourth Street and Range Line Road. Reed and
Cooper attempted to arrest Felix, but he shot both of them and stole a
police cruiser. Other officers chased the patrol vehicle, which led to
a car wreck. The man then fled on foot to Ninth Street and Connecticut
Avenue, roughly a mile from the original shooting, where he encountered
more police officers. Anthony Felix then took cover behind a van and
opened fire on a third officer who was still inside his cruiser,
severely wounding him. Felix continued shooting at the responding
officers until being fatally wounded by return fire.
Hirshey
had attempted to box-in
Felix as a way to stop him.
Reed had been with the department for five years, joining in 2017 and is
survived by his wife. Hirshey is in serious but stable condition. Cpl.
Benjamin Cooper had over 19 years in law enforcement, he honorably
served as a patrolman, investigator, firearms instructor, SWAT officer,
field training officer, canine officer, and internal affairs officer.
Cpl. Cooper served in the U.S. Army from 1995 to 2001. He served in the
Joplin Police Department from 2004 to 2008, when he left to serve as a
deputy sheriff in Colorado. He returned to the Joplin Police Department
in 2013 and was promoted to corporal in 2016. Cpl. Cooper is survived by
his wife Roxy and two daughters, Tiffany and Ashley. Contributions to
Cpl. Benjamin Cooper may be made to a family fund in Roxy Cooper's name
in care of the mortuary.
Officer
Arthur O. Davis
March 7, 2022 - Fort Pierce, Florida - Age 80
Arthur O. Davis, 80,
passed away surrounded by loving family in Fort Pierce, Florida. Art is
survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Pamela Parry Davis; 3 children,
Paul M. (Becky), Gerri L (James) Davis-Parker, and Terri J. (Mike)
Steinhubel. Art served for two years on the Griffith Police Department.
He was the department's first canine officer, with his partner, a
full-blooded German Shepard named Backus. In
leu of flowers donations will be graciously accepted to the Arthur O.
Davis 4-H Horse and Pony Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Sergeant Joshua Caudell, Arkansas Corrections
February 28, 2022 - Arkansas - Age 29
Sgt. Joshua Caudell,
29, an Arkansas Corrections K9 Officer, was shot and killed on the
morning of 2/28/22 while assisting the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
A welfare check was being conducted on 2/27/22 at approximately 8:00
p.m. Deputies responded to a residence on Corvallis Road to check on a
woman who had reportedly not shown up for work. When deputies arrived at
the home units knocked on the front door attempting to contact Jordan,
no response was given. Authorities said a sergeant knocked again and
shined his flashlight into the residence through the glass of the front
door. Jordan shot through the door, prompting the sergeant and a deputy
who was also at the scene to seek cover. Though neither law enforcement
officer was struck by a bullet, shards of glass reportedly struck the
sergeant in the face and neck. Patrol vehicles were also struck by
rounds being fired from inside the home. When SWAT officers made entry to the home, there was
no one inside and determined the was was empty at approximately
2:30 a.m. That was when the Arkansas Department of Corrections
(ADC) tracking dogs were called in to assist in the search for the
missing woman and the gunman. The dogs tracked the suspect, identified
by officials as 37-year-old Demark Lee Jordan to underneath a trailer on
Overstreet Road. Sgt Caudell was shot in the chest while he and another
K9 officer were looking under the trailer at approximately 4:00 a.m. The gunman began firing at them from his position
underneath the trailer. Sgt. Caudell was transported to the hospital where he later
died.
The Arkansas State Police Bomb Squad and the Little Rock Police Bomb
Squad arrived to assist. At 10:30 a.m. robots from the teams were sent
under the house, and discovered that Jordan was no longer there. The woman who was
Jordan's wife, the subject of the initial welfare check, was
eventually found unharmed. Jordan escaped the area after shooting the K9
sergeant. Sgt. Caudell served in the Tucker K9 Unit and had been with
the Department of Corrections since December 2012. In addition to his
time at the Tucker Unit, he had worked at the Cummins Unit, Maximum
Security Unit, Varner / Varner Super Max Unit and the Pine Bluff Unit.
Sgt. Caudell leaves behind a wife Lorna-Beth and three small children,
EmmaRae, Audrey and Jeremiah.
Demark Lee Jordan was captured on 3/1/22 at approximately 6:00 am.
Jordan is facing one county of capital murder and two counts of criminal
attempt of capital murder. Jordan is being held without bond at the
Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility and is expected to face a
judge in the case on 3/2/22.
Chief Kelly Ann Roudebush, Michigan State University
February 10, 2022 - Bath, Michigan - Age 50
Kelly
Roudebush, 50, died from brest cancer on 2/10/22 at home. She was a
former K9 handler and first female Michigan State University Police
Chief. She took medical leave in July 2020 due to the cancer diagnosis.
She was with the department since 1994. Roudebush served as a field
training officer, canine handler, patrol shift commander, training and
special events security coordinator, and a threat assessment team
commander. Roudebush graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU
and a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan
University. She leaves behind her husband Jerry Roudebush and her son
Brendan Beck.
Sergeant Chris Jenkins
February 3, 2022 - Loudon, Tennessee - Age 48
Sergeant Chris Jenkins
of the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office died in the line of duty on the
morning of 2/3/22 after being hit by a tractor-trailer as he was
removing a ladder from the interstate. Sgt. Jenkins responded to the
area of mile marker 74 on I-75 North at approximately 8 a.m. to remove a
ladder that had fallen out of a utility van and was blocking traffic on
the interstate. The sergeant set up a rolling roadblock in an attempt to
slow traffic and exited his patrol vehicle to remove the ladder. While
he was out in the roadway, a tractor-trailer failed to reduce speed and
crashed into two motorists’ vehicles, Sgt. Jenkins’ patrol unit, and
Sgt. Jenkins. Additional law enforcement officers responded to the scene
shortly after 8 a.m. after receiving 911 calls about the crash. When
they arrived, they discovered Sgt. Jenkins had been killed. The driver
of the semi-truck has been cooperating with investigators and willingly
submitted to a blood test. Police are now searching for the vehicle that
dropped the ladder. Witnesses described it as a white utility van. He
said at least one witness noticed the vehicle had an unsecured ladder in
the back, saying they watched as it slipped off the tailgate and came
out the back. Drivers had to swerve to avoid the ladder. The Tennessee
Highway Patrol (THP) is leading the ongoing investigation into the fatal
crash. Anyone with information about the crash, or how the ladder fell
onto the interstate, is asked to contact the DA's office at (865)
376-2145. Sgt. Jenkins joined the LCSO
as a corrections deputy in 2002. He was promoted to patrol the following
year and graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy
in 2004. He began working as a K9 officer in 2007, was promoted to the
rank of patrol corporal in 2018, and was selected for a promotion to the
rank of patrol sergeant last year, according to the LCSO. Sgt. Jenkins
leaves behind his wife, his high school-aged daughter, and his son, who
is also a fellow LCSO deputy. Sergeant Jenkins was a military veteran
and had served with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Chris is proceeded in death by his K9 partner Diego. Chris is
survived by his daughter, Chloee and a son Clay Jenkins.
The driver of the
tractor-trailer, Christopher Savannah, 43, from Houston Texas, was under
the influence at the time, investigators said.
Tennessee Highway Patrol said they found Savannah still in the driver
seat after the crash. Savannah was cooperative and did consent to
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Savannah denied drinking, taking any
illegal substances or medication at the time, stating that he had only
taken vitamins. THP said they noticed the smell of marijuana coming from
the vehicle and found marijuana along with other drug paraphernalia.
Based on a DRE evaluation, Savannah is believed to have been under the
influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. The Tennessee Highway
Patrol said the driver faces charges of vehicular homicide by
intoxication, vehicular homicide by recklessness, reckless endangerment,
DUI, having a gun while under the influence, and some other drug
charges. They also said an inspection of the tractor-trailer is being
conducted. Savannah was formally charged and arrested on the evening of
2/3/22. He is being held at the Roane County Detention Facility. The
LCSO said they used the handcuffs of Sgt. Jenkins to take him into
custody.
The judge ruled a $1 million bond for Savannah, who decided not to
testify in his first court appearance. On 3/8/22 after a five hour
hearing the judge, Roane County General Sessions Court Judge Terry
Stevens found probable cause.
Captain Pierre Marx
January 9, 2022 - East London, South Africa - Age 53
Captain
Marx, 53, of the East London K-9 unit drowned in the Nahoon River while
on duty 1/9/22. Captain Pierre Marx was with other police divers who
responded to a report of four people being swept off the Horse-Shoe
Valley causeway. As they arrived at the scene to assess the situation,
they established that the complainant was on the island in the Nahoon
River, together with three deceased. The fourth person is still missing
in the river, Divers managed to take three of the bodies across the
stream and also rescued another person, said to be a local farmer.
Captain Marx struggled with a strong current that swept him away on
1/8/22 despite attempts by his colleagues to rescue him. He said Marx
disappeared in the heavy stream and his body was later recovered early
the next morning on 1/9/22. Captain Marx won a couple of Bravery
Awards, one of which was when he saved a young boy from drowning in a
storm water drain in East London.
Deputy Bob Loken
January 8, 2022 - Oakland County, Michigan - Age 51
K-9 Deputy
Bob Loken, 51, of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office passed away after
a tough battle with pancreatic cancer at home surrounded by his family. Loken
was a Master K-9 trainer and was well-respected in the law enforcement
community and among K-9 handlers. Loken was a deputy for the Sheriff’s
Officer for nearly 27 years, beginning his career in 1995. Loken leaves
behind his wife Meagan and three children, Kyle (20), Caden (18) and
Madison (15) Donations can be made to support the Loken Family to The
Thomas Richard Charity at
https://trcares.com/bob-loken-family-gofundme-page/
Chief Kenneth J. Reid (RET)
December 11, 2021 - Old Saybrook, Connecticut - Age 68
Chief Reid's professional career was in the Criminal Justice field
as well as Private and Corporate Security. He served as a member of the
Clinton, CT Police Department, Chief of Police in the Town of Chester,
CT, a K-9 Narcotics Handler, Community Service Officer for the Old
Saybrook Police Department and as Vice Chairman for the Old Saybrook
Police Commission. He also served as Director of Security at Lawrence
and Memorial Hospital. He was Trustee for the Old Saybrook Historical
Society, Member of the Elks club and a member of the Antique Police
Vehicle Association. Chief Reid was a lifelong collector of Law
Enforcement Memorabilia.
Lieutenant Josip Peperni
November 16, 2021 - Norwich,
Connecticut -
Age 57
Lieutenant Josip Peperni, 57,
passed away on 11/16/21 at Middlesex Hospital due to Covid. He is survived by his
Katie (Yuille) Peperni, Josip enjoyed a fulfilling career as a police
officer with the Norwich, CT Police Department. In addition to his
loving wife of nine years, he is survived by his children, Nikita Pepern
and Dakota Peperni and his wife Stephanie of Salem, CT and Kayla Marie
Yuille Donations in Josip’s honor can be made to the Police Benevolent
Association. Checks made payable to the Norwich Police Benevolent
Association can be mailed to Norwich Police Department; 70 Thames
Street; Norwich, CT 06360.
Sergeant Dominic Guido
November 9, 2021 - Brunnell, Florida -
Age 43
Sergeant Dominic Guido of the Bunnell Police Department died in the
line-of-duty on on 11/9/21. Guida died following a cardiac event during
an Emergency Response Team training. "Sergeant Guida served with FCSO
for many years including as a K-9 Deputy before leaving law enforcement,
later returning to his law enforcement calling with the Bunnell Police
Department. Guida worked with the Flagler Sheriff’s Office as a K-9
deputy before leaving law enforcement and eventually returning with the
Bunnell Police Department.
Deputy Lena Marshall
November 8, 2021 - Jackson County, Georgia - Age 49
Deputy
Lena Marshall, 49, with Jackson County Sheriff's Office, died in the
line of duty. Deputy Lena Marshall was shot during a domestic call in
West Jackson on Nov. 5. She died on Nov. 8. The shooting happened
during a domestic call at a residence on Hwy. 124 near Publix around
9:20 p.m. on Nov. 5. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation,
deputies were called to a residence at 6416 Hwy. 124, Hoschton, where
homeowners wanted a non-resident out of the home. When deputies arrived,
they made contact with a woman at the front door who pulled a firearm
and pointed it at deputies. The deputies ordered the woman to drop the
weapon, but she opened fire on the deputies, striking Marshall. The
second deputy on the scene returned fire, striking and killing the
alleged shooter, Jessica Worsham, 43, of Hoschton. Worsham had
previously shared a multitude of videos online in which she expressed
hatred towards the county judicial system and law enforcement. The
shooter claimed she was a "sovereign citizen" and immune from the
law.Marshall was taken to a local trauma center in critical condition
and ultimately succumbed to her injuries Monday, Nov. 8.Deputy Lena
Marshall died around 3:50 p.m. 0n 11/8/21.” She had SWAT certification,
K9 certification and was a field training officer in Barrow County. She
got a K9 while employed with the BCSO. She took a job with the JCSO in
2020. During her tenure in Jackson County, Deputy Marshall worked across
the various zones, covering the expanse of the entire county. She always
worked night shifts and served as a field training officer. She leaves
behind two daughters; Chelsea Marshall and Kiley Harris and son Colten
Harris.
Lena lost a child 18 years ago, on the
same day she passed.
Sergeant Brian John Gaunt
October 24, 2021 - Beaverton,
Oregon - Age 48
Sgt.
Brian Gaunt, 48, died on 10/24/21 from COVID-19 complications. He served
the Beaverton Police Department for 21 years working
as a patrol officer, detective and K9 handler. He was promoted to
sergeant in 2019. Sergeant Gaunt is survived by his wife Holly, his
children Jake, Avery and Grace. Donations can be made to mark-9.org,
a fund for medical expenses for retired police dogs.
Corporal Erick E. Eberhard
October 24, 2021 - Circleville,
Ohio - Age 40
Officer Erick E. Eberhard, 40, of
Circleville Police Department, passed away on Oct. 24, 2021. Eberhard
took his own life days after the Ohio Attorney Generals
Office agreed to prosecute a felony case of domestic violence.
The officer’s troubled life while off-duty, which shows he was facing a
grand jury inquiry and had been placed on paid leave while an internal
affairs investigation was underway. Several police reports outlining
tumultuous romances, allegations of child abuse, and claims of beating
his girlfriends. In one police report, Eberhard is alleged to have said
he would command his K-9 to attack his girlfriend and “make it look like
an accident,” and that Eberhard said he knew “where to hide dead
bodies."On September 2 Eberhard was placed on paid leave by the police
department while the Sheriff conducted a criminal investigation. On
September 12 a packet was sent to the prosecutors office for possible
charges. Fifty one days later after being placed on paid leave he
committed suicide and did not leave a note. Eberhard
had a degree in Criminal Justice with education from Ohio University
along with other certifications and training in law enforcement. Erick
previously served as a Corporal and K-9 Handler in his role as Deputy
with the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office and was an Officer and K-9
Handler with the Circleville City Police Department. He is survived by
his daughter
Ellie and his sons Carson and Cooper.
Officer Maurice "Mo" McKay
October 4, 2021 - Suffolk
County, New York - Age ?
Retired MNRR and MTA Police Department Officer Maurice
“Mo” McKay passed away from a tragic accident on 10/4/21 in Suffolk
County New York. Maurice started with the MNRR Police in 1996 and became
a MTA Police Canine Officer in June of 2002 and was one of the first K9
Officers in the unit. He was assigned to the Canine Unit for over 15
years and worked two police canines during this time. Officer Maurice
McKay was a proud United States Marine Corp. Veteran.
Sergeant James Nicholas "Nick" Risner
October 2, 2021 - Sheffield,
Alabama - Age 40
Sgt. Nick Risner,
40,died on 10/2/21 from his injuries at 9:52 a.m. from being shot on
10/1/21. The chain of events began about 1:44 p.m. on 10/1/21. Sgt.
Risner was shot during a firefight in Muscle Shoals.
Witnesses on the scene told police they saw
a truck — which was later identified as Mealback’s — driving down Avalon
Avenue with two people inside who appeared to be struggling. The
passenger door opened, the truck swerved and Mealback, 58, fell out onto
the street where police found his body on Avalon Avenue near State
Street. Mealback, 58, had a gunshot wound in the top of his head and a
leather holster on his belt that was empty.
Mealback had met Martin more than a decade
ago. Mealback suffered from health issues that caused seizures, and
Martin became his unofficial caregiver, driving him to and from doctor
appointmens.
About 25 minutes later, at 2:11 p.m., Muscle
Shoals police got a call about a hit-and-run wreck at Woodward and
Avalon avenues, a little over a quarter of a mile from where Mealback
was found. Sheffield police spotted Mealback’s truck around 2:23 p.m. in
Sheffield and chased the truck after Martin refused to stop. The chase
ended behind Southgate Mall, east of the Walmart parking lot, when
police officers trapped the truck with their vehicles. Police said
Martin shot out of his door several times, hitting Sgt. Risner in his
vehicle. Sheffield Police Lt. Max Dotson came around the corner of
Risner’s vehicle from the passenger side, exchanging shots with Martin,
police said. Dotson was hit twice in his vest. Martin was hit multiple
times in the exchange. He was pulled from the vehicle and handcuffed. He
was then treated on scene, taken to Helen Keller Hospital and later
flown to Huntsville Hospital. After the shooting, police found a Smith
and Wesson 9mm handgun and a .45-caliber Ruger handgun. Police said the
Smith and Wesson was bought by Mealback, and that family members told
them Mealback was known to carry a .45-caliber handgun on his side and a
backup 9mm in his truck. Martin had the .45 pistol on him when he was
arrested, as well as a loaded 9mm magazine in his pocket. The 9mm pistol
was found in the passenger floorboard with an empty magazine and
chamber. Police also found one spent .45 shell casing and 17 spent 9mm
shell casings inside the truck. A preliminary autopsy found that
Mealback was killed by a gunshot wound to the head that went into his
chest. Sgt. Nick Risner served the community of Sheffield for more than eight years and
also served in the Army Reserves for eight years.
Risner is survived by his wife, Brandy
Risner and daughter Aili Risner.
The suspect, Brian Lansing Martin, 41, was sentenced in
2013 to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. He was
arrested in 2011 for killing his father over an owed debt in
Tuscumbia. He was released from prison in May 2016. Martin is now
charged with four counts of capial murder, two counts of attempted
murder, two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, one count of
abuse of a corpse and one count of a felon in possession of a firearm.
On 4/28/22 Marten pleaded not guilty
by
mental defect to all counts. On 10/8/23 Martin terminated the services
of his his attorneys.
Officer Howard Knauf
September 19, 2021 - Melbourne, Florida - Age 61
Retired K9 Officer Knauf
died on 9/19/21 after battling cancer. He leaves his wife Debbra
of 39 years and
a son Kristopher and daughter Kayla.
Officer Carl Proper
September 17, 2021 - Kings Mountain, North Carolina - Age 39
K9
Officer Carl Proper died on 9/17/21 due to Covid and worked for Kings
Mountain Police since 2005, Proper had finally achieved his dream of
joining a K9 unit. He was paired with K9 Bronco, a German Shepherd
specifically purchased by Kings Mountain Police for Proper to handle.
Proper died Friday after battling Covid for a month in the hospital.
Days after he moved into a new home in Cherryville with his wife, Proper
was admitted to the hospital. Officer Carl Proper is survived by his
wife Sonya and his children, Victoria Sherman, Derrik Proper, Shyanne
Proper and his K-9 partner, Bronco.
Officer Edgar "Buddy" Peels
August 29, 2021 - Owasso, Oklahoma - Age 54
Officer
Edgar “Buddy” Pales, 54, a 28-year veteran of the Owasso Police
Department, died at 3:07 p.m. on 8/29/21 of complications associated
with COVID-19 while in a hospital. Pales had been hospitalized for more
than a week. In July of 1992 Buddy gained a reputation as being an
expert in emergency communications before being sworn in as a police
officer in January of 1995. He became a K9 Officer, partnering with his
life-long friend K9 Britt. After Britt’s retirement, Buddy partnered
with K9 Shadow. Buddy then entered the role of School Resource.
He leaves behind a daughter Kasey.
Lt. James Thelton Eaton
August 20, 2021 - Iowa Park, Texas - Age 62
Lt. James
Thelton Eaton II, passed away 8/20/21 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He
retired as a Lieutenant with the Iowa Park Police Department after 26
years of service to the community. Jimmy Eaton worked for the Iowa Park
Police Department from 1992 until his retirement in
2018.While serving as a Police Officer, Jimmy became the first K-9
officer for the department.
Deputy Floyde Cardenas
August 19, 2021 - Bexar County, Texas - Age 41
Deputy Floyd Cardenas, 41, passed away in his sleep on
8/19/21 and was found by family members. Cardenas wass an 18-year
veteran with the sheriff’s office and is survived by his wife, two
children. and his working partner K9 Tango. Officials said he had no
underlying health conditions. He was a SWAT operator and a head trainer
for the BCSO’s K9 with 10 years of service as a K9 handler. “Deputy
Cardenas was the heart of the SWAT team, as he was one of the lead
trainers that undertook newly joined SWAT operators and helped teach
them the inner workings of the profession.
Sergeant Justin White
August 5, 2021 - Port Orange, Florida - Age 39
Sergeant Justin White,
39, a 15-year veteran of the Port Orange Police Department, died on
8/5/21 from COVID-19.
White died
after about two weeks in the hospital, despite ICU care and the aid of a
ventilator. For 15 months his wife Carlyn, since his death had been
battling to have her husband's loss designated as a line of duty death
that would entitle her and the couple's four children.
The U.S. Department of Justice has determined that White died in the
line of duty and has awarded federal in-line of duty benefits that
Public Safety Officer Benefit offered through the Department of Justice
provides a death/disability lump sum of up to $370,376. The program
includes the presumption that COVID was contracted in the line of duty.
White got his start in Port Orange in 2006 after graduating with honors
from the Daytona State College Law Enforcement Program. He later earned
his bachelor's degree in criminal justice and juris master's degree from
Liberty University, studying online while he continued working. White
became the department's first Florida Department of Law Enforcement
certified K-9 instructor. He was CEO / President of the Port Orange
Police Association, IUPA Local 6051, Inc., in which he co-founded in
2017. He owned and operated a dog training business called Optimum K9,
LLC, which he started in 2019. Sergeant White leaves behind his wife of
nearly 17 years, Carlyn, their four children, Tyler, 17; Savannah, 13;
Andrew, 11; Emily, 8; and his K9 Partner Rex who was euthanized on
11/4/22 at the age of 14. He is preceded in death by two of his
children, whom he and his wife lost due to miscarriages.
Lieutenant Gilbert Clayton McClure
July 28, 2021 - Texarkana, Texas -
Age 54
Lieutenant Gilbert
Clayton McClure, age 54, died on 7/28/21 due to COVID. He was currently
a lieutenant with the Texarkana Police Department where he began his
career over 25 years ago. He also at one time was employed with the
Bowie County Sheriff’s Department where he was in CID.
McClure worked
for Bowie County Sheriff's Office for three years before going to TTPD
and had worked as a police officer, deputy, canine handler, sergeant and
lieutenant in his career of 22 years with them.. He was honored at
Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in a ceremony including a 21-gun salute and
the playing of Taps, officer's last call on the radio and presentation
of the flag to his family. Lt. McClure and his wife Susan were married
29 years and he is survived by one son, William McClure and one
daughter, Noranda “Chucky” McClure.
Lieutenant Lawrence "Larry" Vaughan (RET)
July 23, 2021 - Rock Hill, South Carolina - Age
54
Lawrence “Larry” Vaughan,
54, was found dead
on 7/23/21 after Deputies were called to the
Anderson Apartments at about 3:15 p,m, on East Main Street in Rock Hill.
When
they arrived, deputies found retired Rock Hill police lieutenant Larry
Vaughan dead in his apartment of an apparent assault. Less than 4 hours
later, authorities arrested Robert Hawthorne, 27,of Chester, in
connection with Vaughan's death. Evan Robert Hawthorne, 27,
has been charged with Vaughan’s murder
and is in the York County Detention Center. Hawthorne is a former
Chester County sheriff’s deputy. Lt. Vaughan retired in late 2020 after
30 years with the department over criminal investigations and served as
a K9 Officer. Vaughan leaves behind two daughters.
Hawthorne was denied
bail on 7/24/21 during a brief court hearing at the York County jail.
Hawthorne was a deputy at the Chester County Sheriff’s Office in 2019
and was terminated in 2019 after he was arrested for DUI in Chester
County while off-duty in a patrol car.
A conviction for murder in
South Carolina carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison in the
S.C.
Department of Corrections.
On 12/13/22 the judge ordered Hawthorne to be released on a $250,000
bond.
Officer Kevin Dale Apple
June 26, 2021 - Farmington, Arkansas - Age
53
Kevin Dale Apple, 53, was killed on 6/26/21
while on duty.
Officer Apple and fellow officer Brian Stamps answered a
call about 11:30 a.m. on 6/26/21 to be on the lookout for an older model
blue Jeep fleeing from Rogers police officers. Rogers police issued the
bulletin concerning the Jeep after receiving a call that a man was
holding two people at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Walgreens on
Walnut Street, Oscar Olvera said he believed Cash and Andazola had taken
a check from his mailbox, and he started following the Jeep in his
pickup, according to the affidavit. Olvera followed the Jeep to
Walgreens and confronted Cash and Andazola. He said Cash was holding a
check taken from his mailbox. He grabbed the check from Cash and pulled
his gun to prevent the pair from leaving the scene. Olvera said he
ordered Cash and Andazola to get out of the Jeep and when they were on
the ground he put his gun back in a holster and called 911.
Cash and Andazola
said they had taken the check from Olvera's mailbox.
Then Cash and Andazola
sped off. Apple and Stamps saw the Jeep at a White Oak convenience store
about 12:09 p.m. They parked on either end of the Jeep to box it in
which was parked at the store's gas pumps. When they attempted to speak
with the occupants, the driver of the jeep, Shawna Cash accelerated
toward Officer Apple
and hit Apple, who was carried on the front of Cash's vehicle 149 feet
until she hit Apple's police car. Apple was pinned between the two
vehicles and dragged underneath Cash's vehicle, according to the
affidavit. He was dragged through the parking lot, over a curb and
almost to the intersection of Townsend Way and Slack Street and died at
the scene.
Stamps shot at the Jeep, according to reports.
The Jeep was pursued by officers from
multiple agencies, including the Benton County Sheriff's Office, said
Sheriff Shawn Holloway. Elijah Anadoloza Sr., 18 fled the scene on foot
after Cash wrecked. and
was
captured a short time later in a camper on Pine Street in Bella Vista.
Shawna Rhae Cash, 22, of Pine Bluff and Elijah Anadoloza Sr.,18, of
Bella Vista have been arrested in Apple's death. Both were being held in
the Benton County Jail on 6/26/21 on charges of capital murder or
attempted capital murder.
Officer Apple earned his
Arkansas Commision on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (Part-time
II) certification in 1995. He earned his basic police training
certification in 1997, a drug raid tactics course certification in 1999
and certificate on law enforcement standards and training in 1999.
Officer Apple was certified in three levels of S.W.A.T. high risk event
planning and operational skills. His professional profile, according to
his resume, includes sheriff patrol deputy, tactical drug unit team
member, police officer, special police entry, response team member,
certified sniper, certified field training officer, certified K9
officer, marine patrol deputy and a reserve deputy sheriff. Apple was
employed part-time with Farmington Police Department from 2014 until
hired at Pea Ridge and worked full-time at Farmington 2013 to January of
2014. He was a part-time patrolman with Bethel Heights from November
2009 to February 2012 and worked full-time as the K9 officer for Lowell
Police Department from December 2003 to July 2009. He leaves behind his
dog Ratchet.
Shawna Rhae Cash has had
several run-ins with law enforcement in Benton and Washington counties
since 2018. Here's a look at the felony criminal charges filed against
Cash.
• May 19, 2018: Cash was
arrested in connection with theft by receiving, but the charge was later
dropped by prosecutors.
•Sept. 7, 2018: Cash was
charged with felony failure to appear. She pleaded guilty and was
sentenced to probation, which prosecutors later moved to revoke. The
case is pending.•
•Aug. 7, 2018: Cash
was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia for methamphetamine or
cocaine. She failed to appear but was later arrested on the failure to
appear and sentenced to probation on the original charges, which
prosecutors later moved to revoke. The case is pending.
• Jan.
31, 2019: Cash was charged with possession of methamphetamine or
cocaine. She failed to appear for court, but was bonded out. She later
pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation. Prosecutors later moved
to revoke Cash's probation, and she failed to appear. Cash was arrested
on the failure to appear and bonded out again.
• July
2, 2019: Cash was charged with residential burglary and theft of
property. She was sentenced to probation. Prosecutors later moved to
revoke Cash's probation, but she failed to appear. Cash was arrested on
the failure to appear and bonded out. The case is pending.
•Dec.
23, 2019: Cash was charged with possession of methamphetamine or
cocaine. She has failed to appear twice and been arrested on the failure
to appear twice, but has bonded out each time. The case remains open.
• Jan.
3, 2020: Cash was charged with theft of property and fraudulent use of a
credit or debit card. The case remains open.
• Dec.
14, 2020: Cash was charged with theft by receiving. The case remains
open.
• Jan.
19, 2021: Cash was charged with theft by receiving. The case remains
open.
• Feb.
4, 2021: Cash was charged with theft by receiving. The case remains
open.
•June
26, 2021. Cash was arrested in connection with the death of Pea Ridge
Officer Kevin Apple.
Shawna Cash, 22, of Decatur was
arrested on 6/26/21 in connection with capital murder, flight-escape,
criminal mischief, fleeing on foot, two count of fleeing, five counts of
aggravated assault, obstructing governmental operations, two counts of
first degree criminal mischief, escape, driving with suspended/revoked
license, two counts of failure to stop or yield, three counts of
reckless driving, failure to signal, drove left of center, three counts
of failure yield vehicle overtake on left, speeding, improper use of
registration, failure stop after accident with death, possession of
controlled substance and failure to appear.
Benton
County Circuit Judge Brad Karren ordered Cash be held without bail.
Cash has a criminal record in Arkansas dating back to 2018, when she
pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge.
She pleaded guilty again in 2019 for another drug possession charge and
again that same year to burglary and theft charges. In late 2019 she was
arrested again for drug possession, and in early 2020 she was charged
with property theft and credit card fraud and was arrested twice earlier
this year for theft by receiving.
Since
both defendants are eighteen years of age or older, they are both
eligible for the death penalty if convicted as charged of capital murder
of Officer Apple. The other punishment for capital murder under Arkansas
law is life in prison without parole.
Cash
went before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren for a hearing for
April 15, 2022 to address other matters. During that
arraignment, she pleaded “not guilty” on charges of capital murder. Cash
has been held without bond in Benton County Jail. Jury selection is
scheduled for 1/29/24.
Benton
County Circuit Judge Robin Green issued the no-bail order for Andazola
on 6/28/21. His arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Aug. 2.Elijah
Andazola was arrested in connection with accomplice to capital murder,
flight-escape and refusal to submit to arrest. Arraignment is scheduled
for 8 a.m. Aug. 2.Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren ordered.
Andazola
trial
has been rescheduled from January to July 2023. On 9/15/22 the court
issued a bench order delaying the trial start until 7/31/23.
Sergeant Siyabonga Radebe
June 16, 2021 -Umlazi, South Africa - Age
34
Sgt SC Radebe, 34, was off duty and shot dead by two men who attacked
him and fired several shots on 6/15/21 while playing pool with
friends in a Cibane tavern while off duty. The Tavern is located on the
corner of Sibusiso Mdkane and Maphikelela Roads in Umlazi. Sgt SC Radebe
was shot twice at 7:10 p.m and the attackers stole the bag he had. The
attackers shot Sgt. Radebe in front of his brother. The two assailants
came into the tavern telling everyone not to look as they fired shots
and fled the scene on
foot. Radebe was rushed in a private vehicle to
Prince Mshiyeni Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. He was a KwaZulu-Natal police dog handler who
was stationed with the Umlazi K9 Unit. The shooting comes a day after
two police dogs K9 Shaka and K9 Simba were shot and killed and a third,
K9 Duke injured while their handlers were tracking a gang of cop killers
near Pietermaritzburg on 6/14/21. Radebe’s murder follows the shooting
and killing of police dogs Simba and Shaka and the injury of Duke near
Bishopstowe on Monday. The three, together with their handlers, were
tracking the alleged killers of Ndwedwe police station commander Lt-Col
Jabulani Ndawonde, 55, in a sugarcane field when they were shot and
killed while tackling the suspects. Ndawonde was shot and killed in an
ambush in Bhamshela in KwaZulu-Natal last month. During the search for
Ndawonde’s killers on Monday three suspects, including those who killed
Simba and Shaka and injured Duke, were shot and killed by police.
Three days after the murder of Sgt. Radebe three suspects were arrested.
The
police team proceeded to Baker Road at W Section in Umlazi where it was
reported that the suspects were busy celebrating the death of a
policeman. One of the suspects who was resisting arrest pointed a firearm at
one of the police officers and was fatally wounded. The suspects, aged between 27 and 38-years-old, were
arrested for murder. The vehicle that was used during the murder was
also taken to the police pound for further investigation. The woman
arrested is a relative of Sgt. Radebe was apprehended at C Section in Umlazi.
She was apparently taking revenge after the officer confiscated
liquor she was selling without a license. The relative was a well-known
school transport operator who owned a Quantum taxi. During lockdown
Sgt. Radebe was allegedly among the officers who raided her
house and confiscated liquor she was selling illegally during the
lockdown.
Siphindile Sithole, who was believed to have masterminded the murder of
K9 unit police officer Sergeant Siyabonga Radebe was released on bail.
The case was postponed to July 28 for further investigation.
James L. Collins
May 5, 2021 -
Verona, Wisconsin - Age 74
James L. Collins ,74, passed away peacefully at
home during his nap. He served his country proudly in Vietnam (1969-71).
He was a member of the Military Police K9 unit, partnered with three
dogs he personally trained and was quite proud of: Prince, Willie, and
King. James “JC” is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Ruth; son,
Patrick (Luci); daughter, Shannon (Jacob) Hoida.
Officer Christopher Farrar
April 29, 2021 -
Chandler, Arizona - Age 50
Officer Christopher
Farrar was an 18-year veteran Chandler police and killed in the line of
duty. Officer Farrar was struck and killed by Jonathan Altland , 25, who
had stolen a pickup truck in Pinal County the evening of April 29.
Gilbert police Officer Rico Aranda was hospitalized in critical
condition with a severe head injury
also after also being
struck
by the suspect, who is in custody. Officer Rico Aranda has been with his
department since July 2018.
The pursuit occurred around 10:11 p.m. when a Pinal County Sheriff’s
Deputy attempted a traffic stop on State Route 87 north of Eloy. The
suspect vehicle fled from the deputy and fired gun shots at the deputy
as he was in pursuit. The pursuit continued into Chandler where the
suspect drove into the Chandler Airport runway by breaking through the
city’s security gates. The suspect then fled onto the 202 San Tan
Freeway driving the wrong way.” Police said the suspect then exited the
freeway where he eventually crashed near the Val Vista Drive eastbound
on-ramp and fled on foot into the San Tan Ford dealership lot. Pinal
County deputies, Department of Public Safety troopers and Chandler and
Gilbert Police surrounded the building. The suspect then stole a vehicle
from the dealership and attempted to flee the lot. In doing so, the
suspect hit Officer Farrar, the Gilbert officer and a car dealership
janitorial employee, who walked away with minor injuries. Two DPS
troopers also were injured. The troopers had non-life-threatening
injuries. Three Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies and four DPS troopers
shot at the suspect, injuring him. The suspect was taken into custody
where he was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening
injuries. Officer Farrar was acknowledged in 2010 after his agency
honored him with its “Community Service Award.” In 2006, he was
presented with a medal after he and another officer rescued a woman who
was contemplating suicide. Officer Farrar leaves behind a daughter and
two sons. and his K9 Benzo.
Jonathan Altland is facing charges
of murder, aggravated assault and auto theft and being held on a 3
million dollar bond. Jonathan Altland Jr was indicted by a grand Jury on
5/14/21 on 32 charges, including first - degree murder, 20 counts of
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful flight from law
enforcement, first degree burglary, endangerment, two counts of
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and four counts of disorderly
conduct.
Altland Faces the death penelty. Altland's trial is scheduled for
Oct. 10, 2023, in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Deputy Logan Shane Fox
April 28, 2021 - Watauga,
North Carolina - Age 25
Deputy
Logan Fox,
25, was shot and killed on 4/28/21 while conducting a welfare check at
the home of Hardman Circle at 9:44 a.m.. Sergeant Chris Ward, 36, was
also shot and killed. Sergeant Ward,
an eight-year veteran in the field of law enforcement,
died about 9:00 p.m. after he was
airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee where he succumbed
to his injuries and Deputy Fox died at the scene. A third officer was
also shot, but was not injured due to the bullet hitting his Kevlar
helmet and a shield that blocked a bullet. A coworker of the homeowner had requested the welfare check
after the man did not report to work and was not answering the phone.
Responding officers discovered all the vehicles belonging to the owner
in the driveway. As Sergeant Ward and Deputy Fox entered the home to
check on the occupants both were shot. Backup officers were able to
extract Sergeant Ward from the home but were unable to reach Deputy Fox.
The suspect, Isaac Alton Barnes, 32, barricaded himself inside the house
and continued to shot at law enforcement officers who were on the
perimeter during the 13 hour standoff. When gun fire stopped for about
30 minutes, authorities sent in a robot that showed someone lying on the
bed. After deploying tear gas and seeing no movement from within the
house, law enforcement officials entered the building. Barnes died of a self -
inflicted gun shot wound after killing his mother, Michelle Annette Ligon, 61, and stepfather George Wyatt Ligon, 58.
The standoff ended just before 11:00 pm. Watauga
County Sheriff's Officer Deputy Logan Fox was hired as a part-time
deputy at the Ashe County Sheriff's Office on July 10, 2017 at the age
of 21. He was promoted to full-time on September 1, 2017 and left in
good standing to go o the Watauga County Sheriff's Office on August 30,
2019.
Logan Fox was
just 14 years old when he was awarded the Community Service and Impact
Award from his hometown of Beech Mountain. He graduated BLET at
Wilkesboro Community College with the highest GPA of his class.
Duputy Fox was partnered with K9 Raven. Sergeant Ward is
a father of two,
ages 19 and 5 and began his career at the Beech Mountain Police
Department in 2013, later moving on to the Watauga County Sheriff’s
Office where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Approximately 15 law enforcement agencies surrounded the home during the
standoff. Deputy Logan's K9 Raven attended the funeral with other K9'S. Donations to Officer Fox
may be made in care of the
Watauga County Sheriff’s Department, 184 Hodges Gap Road, Boone, N.C.
28607, to
Tim Fox or
Anneliese Moody
Just days before the deadly shooting
Isaac Alton Barnes attacked his father with a knife. Law enforcement was
notified because he was concerned about his son. Family members warned
the county sheriff's office that his son was experiencing a mental
breakdown and could be dangerous if approached. The father,
Joseph Barnes, at the time, was trying to decide whether to have Isaac
arrested for the alleged assault or pursue an involuntary commitment.
The father then went to a magistrate but decided not to pursue the
involuntary commitment.
PC Karen "Kaz" Bloor
April 27, 2021 - Staffordshire, England - Age ?
Staffordshire
Police officer,
PC Karen Bloor - known as Kaz. lost her fight against breast cancer.
PC Bloor, worked for the police for 24 years, In 2015 Karen had a double
mastectomy with 4 sentinel nodes removed.
Karen started to feel
unwell before Christmas 2020. Putting it down to nothing serious she
just carried on. After a small incident lifting her working dog, she
felt pain in her side and when she spoke to the Dr she was diagnosed
with costochondritis. The pain continued and she was feeling tired.
She began to think she’d had Covid-19 and was suffering the effects of
long covid - a positive antibody test confirmed she’s had the covid at
some point. A few rounds of antibiotics for a chest infection,
noticeable weight loss and not getting any better she pushed for a face
to face at the doctors. A few weeks later with a number of tests it
was confirmed the cancer came back. The cancer returned in a number of
places in her body - liver, spine, stomach and remaining breast
tissue. Biopsy results was liver cancer, stomach cancer and bone
cancer. Treatment started with 6 rounds of chemo commencing April 19th.
A fund-raising page set up on behalf of Karen has now raised $25,671 as
donations continue to flood in following the news of her death.
Officer William "Billy" Coughlan
April 17, 2021 - Yarmouth, Massachusetts - Age ?
Yarmouth Police Officer William “Billy” Coughlan passed
away on April 17th surrounded by his wife Lynne and sons John and James.
Billy served as a Patrol Officer from 1977 -2009. He received many
awards and letters for his incredible career that covered many positions
and responsibilities. Billy offered his services to help YPD members
through the loss of Sgt. Sean M. Gannon. He was a big part of the
success of the Barnstable County Critical Incident Team. Billy’s career
spanned 32 years. Here are some of the highlights:
• 1972
University of New Hampshire Graduate BS Physics
• 1982 Anna Maria College MA Criminal Justice
• 1978 Barnstable County Police Academy Graduate
• Yarmouth Police Reserve Officer 1976-1977
• Yarmouth Police Department 1977 -2009
• K9 Unit 1980 -84 with Partner Sam (German Shepard)
• Mattacheese Middle School Resource Officer 2005-2009
• Accident Reconstructionist
• Southeastern Mass Critical Incident Stress Team
• Barnstable County Critical Incident Team
• Selection Team First YPD Computer System
• YPD Dive Team Member
• Citizen Police Academy Instructor
• IBPO Local 422 President & Contract Negotiator
• Officer of the Year 1982, 2005
• Life Saving Awards (4)
• Combat Cross
• Honorable Service Awards(3)
• Honorable Mention (2)
• Exceptional Service Award
• Meritorious Service Award
• Numerous letters of commendation from the public
Sheriff Daniel C. McClelland
April 14, 2021 - Geauga, Ohio - Age 67
Former
sheriff Daniel C. McClelland died on 4/14/21 after a year long
courageous battle with brain cancer. “Sheriff McClelland served
the residents of Geauga County for 44 years with the last 13 years
proudly serving as sheriff. McClelland began working in the Geauga
County Sheriff’s Office in 1976. He was promoted to sergeant in 1983,
then to lieutenant in 1992 and chief deputy in 2000. He was appointed as
sheriff in 2003. McClelland then won elections in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
He earned his degree in Criminal Justice Education from the University
of Akron and was a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico,
Virginia. He retired at the end of 2016 after announcing two
years earlier that he wouldn’t seek reelection. When McClelland retired
at the end of 2016, so did K9
Midge,
the rat terrier-Chihuahua mix that held a Guinness World Record as the
smallest certified police dog in the world. McClelland’s honors include Leadership
Geauga’s 2014 Emerald
Leader award, Chardon Alumni Hall of Fame inductee for lifetime and 2011
Recipient of the DARE Law Enforcement Executive of the Year Award for
the State of Ohio. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Beverly (nee
Groh) and their children, Daniel (Jennifer) McClelland, Kelly (Dan)
Slattery and Andy (Faith) McClelland. Hours
after his passing, his beloved K9 partner Midge, age 16, also passed and
will be buried along side him. Donations can be made to the Geauga
County Sheriff's Office K9 Fund at 12450 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio
44024.
Robert George Gailey
April 4, 2021 - , DeLand, Florida - Age 82
Robert George Gailey, 82 of DeLand, Florida passed away
on Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Robert served in the United States
Army before working in Law Enforcement as a K9 Counselor.
Robert "Big Bob" Gailey was afflicted with dementia, Gailey had
a passion for dogs and was a pioneer importer of German Shepherd dogs he
trained for police agencies in Central Florida and all over the state.
He left a legacy of training knowledge and techniques used by many law
enforcement K-9 handlers from agencies across the area. People came from
all over to honor Gailey and say farewell before he died. Gailey was a
longtime force in police dog training, police dog handler training, and
a pioneer in Central Florida's dog community. Dogs were Gailey's life.
The walls of photos — hundreds of pictures — in his DeLand home tell the
stories of Gailey working and training dogs of all breeds. Gailey was a
longtime police dog trainer, an award-winning dog show competitor, and a
pioneer German shepherd dog importer in Central Florida. His love for
dogs was lifelong — when he helped at a veterinary clinic in Orlando or
at age 12, when he was showing in American Kennel Club competitions. His
work with police dogs started in 1959 when he was a military police
officer in the U.S. Army and was a K-9 handler. After leaving the Army,
he became a reserve deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. In
1964, Gailey started K-9 of Orlando, a police dog training facility,
which he later moved to Astatula in Lake County. For at least 55 years,
as a trainer, Gailey prepared thousands of officers and deputies as K-9
handlers all over the state. Records that Gailey kept of his work show
that he trained and worked with dogs from police agencies all over
Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and West Virginia. He also worked with K-9
units in Washington, D.C. During those years, Gailey also launched K-9
units at Disney World in 1972 and shortly after did the same at Seaworld.
In addition to being the first importer of German shepherds to the
Central Florida area, Gailey also improved training techniques and added
his personal touch to training police dogs, which are still taught in
multiple K-9 programs at agencies in Florida. Perhaps Gailey’s biggest
contribution in K-9 training was that he changed compulsion training
(making the dog do what the handler wanted) to happy training, where
Gailey got the dog to do something because he wants to do it. Bob taught
food motivation and toy motivation. Every one of his officers and
students he trained were familiar with his phrase, Repetition by
association, forms a pattern, creates a habit, produces the behavior.
Gailey, described as a “machine" when it came to his work ethic, left
the business of police-dog training in 2008 but still worked as a K-9
consultant. Even in his late 70s, Gailey was still training pets for
people. He would also show up at the Volusia County Sheriff's Office K-9
training compound as late as last year and watched K-9 handlers and
their dogs in training. Bob was known to go out of his way for a
department. If someone called and their department was short on funds,
Bob would put the person and the dog through the class and not charge
them anything, and do the certification for them. Bob was diagnosed with
dementia a year ago and “spiraled down” six months later after his
favorite pet German shepherd, Nemo, died of cancer. Gailey leaves behind
his wife Lisa.
Deputy Stephen "Doc"
Mackenzie
March 21, 2021 - Schoharie, New York - Age 73
Stephen Mackenzie better known as "Doc" in the K9 field died on 3/21/21.
Because of the growing need for search and detection dogs because of
9/11 he started a program which was such a success and attracted
students from all over the world and preparing them to enter canine
related fields including national security, law enforcement, veterinary
medicine, canine-assisted therapy and much more. As a professor at SUNY,
his students will never forget his teachings and professionalism. He
received the Master Trainer Award from the North American Police Work
Dog Association in 2017 recognizing him for his work with utility,
cadaver, narcotics, and wild life detection dogs and awarded
SUNY’s Distinguished Service Professorship Award in 2020. He was a board
member of the Northeast Wilderness Search and Rescue and founding member
of the New York State Canine Association. He taught decades for the Eden
International Police K9 Conference and taught for numerous working dog
organizations around the world and wrote K9 training columns for Dog
Sports, Working Dog and Police magazines. Dr. Mackenzie
was widely recognized for his work in law enforcement agencies
nationwide, and had been a Deputy Sheriff for the Schoharie County
Sheriff's Office for 25 years
and as a K-9 handler and trainer for seven. He is the author of Decoys
and Aggression: A Police K9 Training Manual, Aggression Control:
Teaching the "Out" and Police Officer's Guide to K9 Searches. Dr.
Mackenzie held a PhD in the genetics of behavior from Cornell
University. He was a court recognized expert in animal behavior at both
the state and federal levels in both criminal and civil cases. Mackenzie
was a member of the college’s Animal Science program for nearly 40
years. He also developed an agreement to train dogs housed at a local
animal shelter, a program that provided both practical experience for
students and increased the chances of adoption for dogs in the program.
At the time of his death, Mackenzie was working with campus residential
life staff and external partners to develop a puppy-raising program on
campus, a partnership that represented a significant commitment in
support of the work of an organization training canine companions for
the nation’s military veterans. He is survived by his devoted wife Laurie
(Fink) Mackenzie, daughter Dawn and son Alex. Gifts in Doc's memory may
be made to the Dr. Stephen Mackenzie Scholarship in Canine Training and
Management or the
Dr. Stephen Mackenzie Canine Equipment Endowment. Gifts can be mailed in
the endowment name specified
payable to SUNYCobleskil Foundation, 106 Suffolk Circle, 228 Knapp Hall , Cobleskill
NY 12043. On line giving is also available at
www.cobleskill.edu/give
Deputy John Charles "Rambo" Lewis
March 17, 2021 - Yakima, Washington - Age 74
John Charles “Rambo” Lewis,
74, of Yakima, Washington, passed away on March 17th, 2021 at home in
hospice care surrounded by his loving family after suffering a stroke.
He enlisted in the United States Army in January of 1966, completing
boot camp and training courses in aviation maintenance. He went on to
serve his country in Vietnam, awarded the Army Commendation Medal for
meritorious service from March 27th - December 7th, 1967 and the Air
Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight
from December 29th, 1966 - March 9th, 1967. After John returned from
Vietnam, back to the Yakima Valley, he pursued employment with a local
company drilling wells. In January of 1978, he started his career in law
enforcement, joining the Yakima County Sheriff Office as a
deputy/jailer, which prepared him for full time police work in July
1979. Over the next twenty-one years, John gained an abundance of
knowledge and skills, holding various assignments as a K9 Handler and
Civil Deputy. In 1985, he was Officer of the Year for the Yakima County
Sheriff’s Office, receiving recognition from the American Legion and the
United States Attorney General Edwin Meese III. He acted as the agency’s
official historian since 1992, retiring from the Yakima County Sheriff’s
Office on June 24, 1999. John married Cheryl (Walker) Lewis in July of
1975. He leaves behind his daughter Heather Marie, 44, and son
Charles Lee, 41. He remarried in 1995 to his high
school sweetheart, Kathleen (Whittington).He is survived by his wife of
25 years, Kathleen (Whittington).He was
preceded in death police dog Captain Alk.
Officer Jason S. Lagore
February 23, 2021 - Highland County, Ohio - Age 38
K9 officer Jason Lagore,
38, with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources died on 2/23/21 of an
apparent heart attack while responding to a rescue at Rocky Point Lake
in Highland County, Ohio. "He assisted on countless, countless search
and rescues, bringing closure to families and also finding people and
being able to help them. LaGore was trying to help a teenager, Keaira
Scott, 16, who fell
into icy water. Around 6:30 p.m., a 13-year-old brother started screaming
for help near a private dock. A nearby contractor heard his cry and
called 911. "I'm at Rocky Fork. I had some little kid come up to me and
said his sister's in the water dead," the caller said. "He come running
up to us saying, 'Somebody please help me, please help me.'" The Paint
Creek Joint Fire District responded to the scene. By the time our crews
got there, she was under the ice. Additional units from Hamilton and
Franklin counties were called to help. "The water was 36 degrees. The
16-year-old's body was recovered about four-and-a-half hours later. The
coroner said she drowned. Sometime during the rescue-recovery mission, LaGore fell in the water after suffering a medical emergency. First
responders tried to save him. He died at the hospital. The Highland
County Coroner said preliminary results indicate LaGore had a heart
attack. LaGore began the K9 program for the division of parks and
watercraft at ODNR and has since led the first K9 academy.
Officer
Lagore was a 2004 graduate of Hocking College with a degree in Wildlife
Management. Lagore started his career at the Ohio Division of Parks &
Watercraft in 2002 and became a Park Officer in 2005 assigned to Caesar
Creek State Park in Warren County. He became a K9 handler in 2011 and
worked two dogs, Ranger and Sarge. Officer LaGore not only was a K9
handler, he also trained each of the department’s dogs and handlers in
narcotics detection work, cadaver work and tracking. Lagore and his
first partner, K9 Ranger and current K9 partner Sarge are credited with
countless finds and rescues.
He had worked for ODNR for the past 15 years. He
did a lot of training around all of Ohio. He worked with a lot of
organizations with search and rescue. He is survived by his wife,
Michelle, two small sons and his K9 partner, Sarge.
A memorial fund has been
set up to help Officer Lagore's family.
Donations can be made the
following ways:
On Line at :
https://www.unit2.org/jasonlagorek9
Donations may also be made
at any KeyBank:
Jason Lagore Memorial
Fundraiser
Or by check, payable to:
Ohio Lodge 149, denoting
Jason Lagore in the memo and mailed to:
Ohio Lodge 149
P.O. Box 664
Cortland, OH 44410
Phone Number: 380-799-0703
Officer William Russel
Lundquist
January 28, 2021 - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Age 83
Lundquist, William "Bill"
Russell of Bloomington, MN died peacefully from COVID pneumonia on
January 28, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. His true calling and vocation
began when he joined the Minneapolis Police Department in 1964. Bill
worked 28 of his 35 years on the force in the K9 unit, with his loyal
partners Sergeant, Louie, Rocky and Bart, earning National awards in dog
training and changing so many lives along the way. He is survived and
greatly missed by his loving wife of 60 years of marriage, Pat; his
three children, daughter, Diane (Bob) Morse sons, Mark (Debbie) and Paul
(Julie). In lieu of flowers, donations accepted for the Minneapolis
Police Federation.
Deputy Adam Gibson
January 18, 2021 - Sacramento, California - Age 31
Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Gibson, 31, and his K9 Partner
Riley were killed in a shootout on 1/18/20.
At 10:07
p.m. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Deputies saw an occupied vehicle
in a parking lot near Arden Way and Avondale Avenue that matched the
description of a vehicle involved in a burglary series. Deputies
initiated contact with the single occupant of the vehicle and were able
to identify the subject as Robert Stephen Calderon, 46, and being on active parole.
The subject became
uncooperative and fled in his vehicle when deputies attempted to search
the vehicle. A short pursuit ensued that terminated inside of the Cal
Expo Complex located at 1600 Exposition Boulevard. The suspect vehicle
became disabled after striking a curb and came to rest near a chain-link
fence. Multiple patrol units gathered at the termination point to assist
the initial deputies. Deputies gave several commands for the suspect to
exit his vehicle and he refused. Deputies deployed less-lethal “bean
bag” rounds into the suspect vehicle’s back window in an attempt to see
inside. A K-9 handler deployed his K-9 into the back window of the
vehicle at which time several shots were fired from within the vehicle.
Two deputies and the canine were struck by the suspect’s gunfire.
Multiple deputies returned fire. The wounded officers were transported
by deputies in patrol units to an area hospital. Deputy Adam Gibson, a
31-year-old, 6 year veteran of the department, was pronounced deceased
at the Kaiser Medical Center
hospital. A second deputy, age 43 was stabilized and transported to a
trauma center at
UC Davis Medical Center
for further treatment. K-9 Riley also died at the scene. K-9 Riley was 5
years old and had been in-service with our office for 3 years. Fire
arrived and pronounced the sole occupant of the suspect vehicle deceased
at the scene. Deputy Gibson served in the United States Marine Corps and
did two tours in Afghanistan. Since joining the department in 2014 he
has worked in corrections, patrol and most recently a canine handler.
Deputy Gibson received the Sheriff’s Office Bronze Star for Bravery and
a Major Incident Ribbon in 2018. Deputy Gibson leaves behind his wife
Rachel Gibson, 9-month-old child.
Calderon
who was shot and killed had a history of criminal activity, drug use and
mental illness.
Calderon was a former truck
driver and in home health service worker and was frequently homeless and
living in a Chevrolet Suburban. He had a combined nine felony and
misdemeanor cases out of Sacramento County dating to 1993. The cases
generally involve drugs and stolen vehicles. His most recent local case,
a felony, came in 2012. He was sentenced to 16 months in state prison
for vehicle theft.
Detective Sergeant Edward John Marcurella
January 16, 2021 - Walterboro, South Carolina - Age 55
Detective Sergeant Edward
John Marcurella, Jr., 55, of Walterboro, and law enforcement officer
with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, entered into rest on 1/16/21
at the Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro following a short battle
against the Coronavirus. Ed enlisted in the United States Army in 1983
and following his basic training served until 1987 with the Army
National Guard. He served with Hilton Head Fire Rescue, having been a
fireman for seventeen years and paramedic for eight years. He then
served with the Ridgeland Police Department prior to establishing his
career in Walterboro. In addition to being a detective with Colleton
County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Marcurella was a member and
Co-Chairman of the Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force for the
Fourteenth District and was also an investigator for the Attorney
General’s Internet Crimes Against Children. His awards, service, and
accolades are extensive. He was a bomb specialist, and member of both
the prestigious group known as the Special Weapons and Tactics Team and
the Special Response Team. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Christy Ferrell
Marcurella; seven children, Angela Blake, Steven Edward Marcurella
(Missy), Brandi White, Tiffany Marcurella, Hunter Joseph Marcurella,
Lauren Amanda McMillan, and Ethan Chad McMillan. He was preceded in
death by his faithful K9 companion, “Panzer” who ended his watch on
March 27, 2015. Honors will be conferred by the United States Army and
Law Enforcement.
Trooper 1st Class Patrick Dragon (RET)
January 2, 2021 - Brooklyn, Connecticut - Age 49
Trooper First Class Patrick Dragon of Brooklyn CT passed away on 1/2/21
sadly after losing his valiant hard fought battle with COVID 19. Pat
retired from the Connecticut State Police after serving for 20+ years.
During his career as a State Trooper, Pat was able to fulfill his life
long passion of fire investigation, having been assigned for many years
as a Detective/Fire Investigator at the CSP State Fire Marshall's Unit.
Pat after his retirement continued his service to the public, as the
Deputy Fire Chief of the East Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department, and as
a 911 Dispatcher for the Foster RI Police Department. Dragon was the
third person through the doors of Sandy Hook Elementary School after the
2012 shooting. Dragon turned 49 on December 29th.
Thomas A. Doyle (RET)
October 31, 2020 -
Scarborough, Maine
- Age 73
Thomas A.
Doyle, 73, was met at the rainbow bridge by the many dogs that he had
and trained when he passed away on 10/31/20 at the Maine Veterans home.
He attended Massachusetts schools and graduated from Peabody High School
in 1965, where he held the strike out record for many years. Tom was
then drafted by the Cincinnati Reds Baseball organization. After
sustaining a baseball injury, he joined the United States Air Force and
served during the Korean Conflict. After his service to his country, he
served on the Peabody Police Force for many years until his retirement.
He and his wife Maggie moved to Maine, where they owned and operated
Running Hill Kennels in Scarborough. Tom was a member of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles # 2977 and American Legion # 62, Westbrook. He was
captain of the Westbrook Pool Team and played for many years. A
graveside service, with military honors, will be scheduled in the future
for the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. He leaves behind
his wife Maggie Doyle of 29 years, of Scarborough. For those wishing to
make memorial contributions in his memory please consider the
Scarborough Police Canine Unit, 275 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough ME 04074
or to the Peabody Police Canine Unit, 6 Allen Lane, Attn. Sharon McGill,
Peabody, MA 01960
Sergeant Ronald Lee "Ron" Pierson (RET)
October 25, 2020 - Wilmington, Delaware - Age 77
Ronald Lee Pierson, 77, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed
away on 10/25/20 surrounded by his family. Ron played semi-professional
football. He served in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970. Ron
worked at DuPont before joining the Delaware State Police in 1970 where
he worked in Canine with partners K9 Chris and K9 Ralph. He retired as a
sergeant in 1992 He worked in security at Longwood Gardens, as a
chauffeur for a DuPont family descendant, then worked for McCrery &
Harra Funeral Home. Ron is survived by his beloved wife of
55 years, Sandra; daughters Laura and Nancy and son John. Memorial
contributions may be made in his name to the Claymont Lions Club, 11
Bellemeade Place, Wilmington, DE 19810.
Master Deputy Conley Jumper
October 20, 2020 - Greenville County, South Carolina - Age 52
Master Deputy Conley Jumper died on 10/20/20 while on
duty. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on northbound on I-85 near
White Horse Road just before 3 p.m. when at least one of the occupants
of the vehicle engaged deputies in a physical altercation and a struggle
ensued. During the struggle, the suspect’s vehicle accelerated and
ultimately collided with a tractor trailer. Another deputy’s patrol car
also collided with the suspect’s vehicle. Three deputies were
transported to the hospital along with two individuals from the suspect
vehicle. Master Deputy Conley Jumper was severely injured and was
transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other
two deputies are expected to recover as are the occupants from the
suspect vehicle. Jumper was a 28-year veteran of the Greenville County
Sheriff's Office and most recently served with the Interdiction Team
where he received numerous accolades, including multiple distinguished
service awards and the prestigious Russ Sorrow Award. Officials said
that he would be posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Jumper
is survived by his wife, Sarah, and his daughter, Catherine. He had
served with his K9 partner Vinnie. Memorials may be made to KILO-9
Foundation at kilo9.org.
Sergeant Harry Cohen
October 19, 2020 - Riverside County County, California - Age 48
Sgt. Harry Cohen, 48, with the Riverside County Sheriff’s
Department died while on duty on 10/19/20 of a heart attack while
training with the K9 group. Harry spent many years on the team as a
well-respected handler, and currently supervised the team. Cohen served
with the Sheriff’s Department since 1996. In that time, he worked as a
deputy at the Banning, Lake Elsinore and Southwest stations. He was
promoted to sergeant in 2010. Over the last decade, he worked both
patrol and later training assignments. Most recently, he served in the
department’s Special Enforcement Bureau as a supervisor for the K-9
unit. The unit includes 28 officers, each
with a patrol-service dog they
partner with for the dog’s entire career. Cohen is survived by his wife,
son and daughter.
Lieutenant Duane Dykstra
September 26, 2020 - Levy County, Florida - Age 47
Lt. Duane Dykstra 47, died on 9/26/20. Lt Duane
Dykstra was the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division. Lt.
Dykstra had more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. During
his long career at Levy County Sheriff's Office, he worked as a
Dispatcher, a patrol deputy, a K9 handler, a Narcotics Investigator and
SWAT Team member. He had been the CID Commander since February of 2016.
Lt. Dykstra failed to return from a deer hunting trip on Saturday
morning. He was later found deceased in Goethe State Forest near the
intersection of CR 337 and SR 121. Lt. Dykstra appears to have died
from natural causes and foul play is not suspected. The incident is
being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the
Office of the Medical Examiner Florida District Eight. Family requests
contributions in honor of Duane be made to the Duane Dykstra gofundme
account organized by the Florida Deputy Sheriff's Association.
Deputy Michael Creager II
September 25, 2020 - Uhrichsville, Ohio - Age 45
Deputy
Michael E. Creager II, 45, died on 9/25/20 after battling cancer. Deputy
Creager worked for the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office. In
2010, Creager became a road deputy and transitioned into the K-9 unit.
His partner, Fygo, a Belgian Malinois, became a state-certified
patrol/narcotics detection dog. Creager and Fygo trained with the Police
K-9 Association, which he served as a board member. He worked as a K-9
trainer with other departments throughout the United States. Deputy
Creager and K9 Fygo worked together on the sheriff's SWAT team. He is
survived by daughters Michaela and Italia Creager, He was part of the
mounted unit. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Police K9
Association, P.O. Box 7232, Canton, Ohio, 44705 or to the Tuscarawas
County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, 2295 Reiser Ave. S.E., New
Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
Corporal Christopher "Jay" Crooms
September 20, 2020 - Williston, Florida - Age 50
Retired Levy County Sheriff
Officer Cpl. Jay Crooms of Williston has died. Jay was a former Patrol
Deputy, K-9 Deputy and Detective. He served for over 17 years and
retired. He leaves behind his wife Melinda and daughter Madison.
Donations may be sent directly to the family to assist with medical
costs and expenses.
Deputy Trevor Lee Sprague
July 26, 2020 - Arenac, Michigan - Age 37
Deputy Sprague's K9 Partner was K9 Sonic
Officer George O. Lyter III
June 23, 2020 -Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania - Age 62
George O. Lyter III, 62, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
passed away on 6/23/20. George served for 35 years with the United
States Capital Police Canine Unit in Washington, D.C. He is survived by
five children, Jacklyn L. Lyter , George O. Lyter , Benjamin Parmele,
Debbie Moore,, and Angela Weirich.
Corporal Stephen Swanson
June 20, 2020 -
Esperance Village,
Trinidad - Age 49
Corporal Stephen Swanson, 49, died on 6/20/20. Swanson of
Esperance Village, San Fernando, was attached to the Canine Unit in the
TT police service and had 15 years of service. An autopsy is
expected to take place to determine the cause of death, however, it was
suspected that he died as a result of a heart attack.
Investigators were told that Swanson accompanied a friend to a grocery
in the vicinity of Coffee Street, San Fernando, and while in the car, it
appeared as though he was suffering from a seizure. He was rushed
to a nearby police station, following which, officers rushed him to the
San Fernando General Hospital and died about one hour later while undergoing treatment. He
leaves behind two teenagers.
Officer Todd
Shoemaker
May 30, 2020 -
Killeen, Texas - Age 56
Officer Todd Shoemaker of the Killeen Police Department, passed away
suddenly on 5/30/20 in his home. Officer Shoemaker started his career
with the Killeen Police Department in January of 2006. Todd joined the
United States Army in 1981. His duty stations include: Ft. Riley,
Kansas; Little Rock, AR, Ft. Drum, NY and Friedberg Ray Barracks,
Germany. Todd deployed to the Middle East during Desert Storm in
1991. He retired as a 1st Sergeant from the Army in 2005 after 22
honorable years of service. Todd had 2 partners during his 11 year K9
career. Azor, who has passed away in 2014, and his current partner,
Arco. His
faithful K9, Arco, began training together since 2013. Todd is
survived by his loving wife, Ursula Shoemaker and their daughters Nicole
and Jessica Shoemaker.
Sergeant Steve
Kobitz
May 25, 2020 -
Valparaiso, Indiana - Agen 51
Sergeant Steve Kobitz of the
Valparaiso Police Department died on 5/25/20 as a result of
cardiac complications. Sgt. Kobitz was on-duty when he was
discovered in distress while in his police vehicle, which was parked in
the lot of the Valparaiso Police Department. Sgt. Kobitz was
immediately tended to by his fellow officers when he was discovered, and
Valparaiso Fire soon responded and took over treatment. Sgt.
Kobitz later succumb to his condition while at Porter Regional
Hospital. Sgt. Kobitz began his career in February 1992, honorably
serving the City of Valparaiso for over 28 years. During his
tenure, Sgt. Kobitz has served as a Field Training Officer, Accident
Reconstructionist, and Canine Officer.Surviving is his son, Stephen and
daughter Tayla.
Robert Elmer Jones
April 18, 2020 -
Clarksville, Tennessee - Age 84
Robert Elmer Jones, 84, a
resident of Clarksville, passed on 4/18/20 at Tennessee State Veterans
Home. He served in the US Army for over 23 years and received a Silver
Star, Soldier’s Medal, two Bronze Stars for Valor, two Purple Hearts,
and three ARCOMs during his service. After retiring from the Army, Bob
served as a police officer for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s
Department with his canine partner, Duke. Bob then worked as a civilian
as the manager of Physical Security at Ft. Campbell, KY for 20 years. In
his retirement, Bob is survived by his wife of 18 years, Karen Welborn
Jones; daughters, Cindy (Wayne) Abbott, Kay (Rick) Hamilton, and
stepdaughter, Michele Welborn Custer. .
Officer Kurt Enget
April 10, 2020 -
Bainbridge Island, Washington - Age 49
Officer Kurt
Enget, 49, died on 4/10/20. Officer Enget was hospitalized on 4/5/20 at
Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton. Officer Enget’s condition worsened
rapidly. He first joined the ranks in 2005 at the Suquamish Police
Department, then joined the Bainbridge department in 2015. In 2017,
Enget completed K-9 training. At the time of his death, he was a
certified K-9 handler to his partner, Whitney, the city’s newest police
dog. Enget and Whitney earned multiple commendations for their work
together, including praise for assistance in a 2019 fatal fire in Port
Angeles and also work during a drug investigation that same year. Enget
also received two life-saving awards in 2018; one for the rescue of a
capsized kayaker, and another for his role in the Eagle Harbor
officer-involved shooting.
Enget is survived by his wife Yevette and three children,
sons Jarrid and Kyler and daughter Shyrel.
Commander Greg
Carnicle
March 29, 2020 -
Phoenix, Arizona - Age 56
Comander
Greg Carnicle was shot and killed on 3/29/20 during a domestic violence
call in the 23800 block of North 40th Drive, near Pinnacle Peak
Road in Arizona. The incident began about 7 p.m. when officers arrived
for calls reporting a dispute between roommates.
Jacob Emry McIlveen, 22, was complying at first and there was no sign of
any problem until McIlveen “slammed the front door on the officers and
the incident escalated.
McIlveen started to get erratic again and told the officers he wouldn’t
leave. Commander Carnicle,
Officer Dowhan and Officer Hubert were standing on the stairs when
McIlveen opened the door and opened fire.
Comander Greg Carnicle was killed and
Officer Marissa Dowhan, 23, and Officer Alicia Hubert,
22, were wounded and survived
and were in stable condition.
Officer Dowhan has been with the Phoenix Police
Department for three years and Officer Hubert has been with the
department for nearly two years.
The suspect had fired multiple shots at a police drone flying over the
area. The suspect was barricated inside the house but more officers made
their way in around 11:40 and the suspect was shot and pronounced dead.
Carnicle was a 31 year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department and was
just months away from retiring. Carnicle held positions including the
special assignments unit, K9 and he most recently oversaw all evening
and weekend patrol operations.” Carnicle is survived by his wife and
four children.
Trooper Justin R.
Schaffer
March 24, 2020 -
Washington - Age 28
Trooper Justin R. Schaffer, 28, a seven year veteran
of the Washington State Patrol was killed in the line of duty when he
was struck by a vehicle that was fleeing law enforcement on 3/24/20 just
before 4:00 pm. Schaffer was attempting to deploy spike strip to end
the pursuit to a stop when the fleeing vehicle struck him on Interstate
5. Schaffer was transported by aid to Centralia Providence Hospital
where
paramedics hoped to have him airlifted to Seattle but Schaffer died from
his injuries before the airlift and
was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. The incident started whenthe
suspect allegedly stole a bottle of lighter fluid from Pacific Mini Mart
in Lacey on 3/23/20 at 9100 Pacific Ave, at about 2:45 p.m. The
convenience store clerk, Ok Sun Kang, followed the man into the parking
lot intending to take a photograph of his license plate when the man
pulled out a stun gun and pointed it at the clerk and a customer,
Theresa Wood. They were able to back away from him. He got into his
truck, and as he was leaving, he accelerated toward the store clerk, but
she got out of the way. The suspect was identified based on surveillance
video and the personalized license plate "HI TECH" on his truck as
39-year-old William D. Thompson. Officials alerted other local law -
enforcement agencies on 3/23/20. On 3/24/20 a Thurston County sheriff's
deputy was at Farm Boy Restaurant on a unrelated matter and spotted
Thompson truck and a chase began. near exit 95 on 1-5 in the south
bound lane as the deputy chased Thompson with lights and siren. Thompson
continued speeding In excess of 100 mph on I-5 passing vehicles on the
shoulder of the highway. Trooper Shaffer was struck when he exited his
car to deploy a spike strip near the southbound on ramp near exit 79 and
was thrown 100 feet landing in the right hand lane of i-5. Thompson
continued 3 more miles then crashing into a light pole and barrier at
milepost 76 off ramp at about 3:00 p.m. Trooper Farkas also responded
and Thompson served towards Farkas striking trooper Farkas car and as a
result the protective bumper "pit bar" was ripped off Trooper Farkas car
striking him in the chest. After a standoff with SWAT officers, tear gas
was fired into the pickup truck where Thompson at first refused to
surrender. Thompson finally
surrendered and was booked into Lewis County Jail on 3/24/20.
Officer Schaffer earned a criminal justice degree from Centralia
College. He began working for the Washington State Patrol on Nov. 12,
2013, assigned to the Property Management Division. On Jan.13, 2014,
Schaffer started his training with the 2nd Arming Class On Feb 4, 2014,
he continued his training with the 103rd Trooper Basic Training
Class and was commissioned Sept. 16, 2014, assigned to Morton. On Sept.
1, 2016, he was assigned as a certified drug recognition expert. On
11/10/18 he completed K9 training and was certified with his partner
“Frankie”. .He transferred to Chehalis on Dec. 13, 2018. On 4/21/20 K9
Frankie was retired from service to live with Trooper Schaffer's family.
Trooper Schaffer is survived
by his wife Sandra and his K9 partner, Frankie.
Thompson's preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court was on
3/25/30.William D. Thompson, 39,will be charged with first-degree
aggravated murder, First- degree attempted murder, first- degree
robbery, first- degree assault, second- degree assault, attempting to
elude a pursuing police vehicle, malicious harassment, two counts of
second - degree driving with a suspended license and failing to have an
ignition interlock in the vehicle Judge J.
Andrew Toynbee set bail at $5 million. Thompson has a pending
third-degree assault charge out of Thurston County. Thompson's history
has a number of cases, most of them gross misdemeanors that were
dismissed due to his mental health issues. He has two active warrants,
one from Tumwater and one from the city of Olympia that was for
unlawful display of a weapon. William
Thompson, was evaluated on April 1 by Dr. Michelle Hart with the
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and on
April 10 she determined Thompson suffers from mental health issues that
would not allow him to be tried at this time. The court order entered on
10/15/20 by Superior Court Judge Andrew Toynbee, finding Thompson to be
competent to stand trial. On 10/15 20 , Thompson pleaded
not guilty to charges of first-degree aggravated murder, first-degree
attempted murder and four counts of first-degree assault among seven
other offenses.
Judge J. Andrew Toynbee, delivered Thompson’s sentence of 45 years on
July 5, 2022.
Warrent Officer
Louis Potgieter
March 15, 2020 -
Villieria, South Africa - Age ?
Warrant Officer Potgieter died in a motorcycle accident
on 3/15/20. He joined the Villieria police in
1994. From 2002, he was appointed as a dog handler, specializing as a
narcotic dog handler. He was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer in
2000 and received the following medals during his time of service:
10-year commemoration medal, 10-year loyal service medal, 20-year loyal
service medal, centenary medal and the Soccer World Cup support medal.
James Michael
Trejbal
March 9, 2020 -
Jacksonville, Florida - Age 67
Retired
former K9 officer, James Michael Trejbal, 67, was found unresponsive in
his isolation cell at the Duval County jail at approximately 5:20 a,m,
on 3/9/20 less than two weeks after being sentenced to life in prison
for sexual offenses against children, Trejbal was found unresponsive in
his isolation cell at the Duval County jail, Rescue workers responded
and pronounced him dead, Trejbal pleaded guilty Feb. 27 to sexual
battery of a child younger than 12 and two counts of lewd and lascivious
molestation after being arrested in January, He also was deemed a sexual
predator. He retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 1999.
Authorities were alerted in December of possible sexual offenses from
years earlier, and additional victims were discovered as recent sexual
offenses were identified, Some of the offenses were against victims
younger than 12, Some victims involved custodial authority,
Lt. Robert Wayne
Lynn
March 6, 2020 -
Duncan, Oklahoma - Age 53
Lt.
Robert Lynn, 53, passed away March 6. Lt. Lynn served his community for
20 years before retiring in 2012. He began his service as a member of
the Oklahoma National Guard and was deployed during Operation Desert
Storm. Lynn then continued his service at the Duncan Police Department.
During his time there, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant, was a member
of the department’s first Special Response Team, was a CLEET firearms
instructor and was also a K-9 handler for many years. Lt Lynn leaves
behind his wife Anita and children Ashton, Dustin, Jonathan and Madison.
Memorial contributions can be made to assist with replacing the Duncan
police dogs.
Officer Andrew
Keller
March 2, 2020 -
Dennison, Ohio - Age 29
Officer Andrew Keller, 29, of the Dennison Police Department was found
dead in in the morning at his Uhrichsville home on 3/2/20
morning.Officer Keller and his German Shepherd,
K9 Bronco began training together at the Canton Police K9 Training
Facility in June of 2017. Contributions may be made in Drew's memory to
the Dennison Police Department K-9 Fund, 302 Grant Street, Dennison, OH
44621 or to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 139 Third Street NE, New
Philadelphia.
Officer Jennifer
Diener
February 15, 2020 -
Racine, Wisconsin - Age 48
Jennifer Diener, 48 died on 2/15/20 nearly a week after she was
critically injured in a car crash during a snow storm at approximately
4:30 pm on 2/9/20 near the Village of Yorkville, Wisconsin.The accident
happened when a vehicle traveling eastbound crossed the center line and
struck a westbound vehicle .Elizabeth Olszewski, 32, of Mount Pleasent
also died on the way to the hospital the day of the crash and was an
attorney at the Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard law firm. Diener was
considered a veteran officer, with plans to retire in the next two
years. Diener, her husband and 15-year-old daughter had just gotten back
from a ski trip to Colorado, picking up their dog from her mother's
home. After picking up her dog within 10 minutes her mother got the call
that there was a bad accident on Highway 20 near 63rd Drive in
Yorkville. Two people died in the multi car crash and nine were injured.
Diener was an active member of the Racine Police Department for 24
years. She leaves behind her husband Brian and daughter Taylor.
Officer Kenneth
Reid Lester
February 10, 2020 -
Richmond, Indiana - Age 62
Officer
Kenneth Reid Lester, 62, of the Richmond Police Department died in the
line of duty on Feb. 10. nearly 25 years to the day after he suffered
career-ending injuries while responding to an alarm call. Officer Lester
was traveling southbound on Eighth Street on Feb. 17, 1995, when a
semi-tractor trailer traveling next to him turned right from the left
lane toward H street, striking Lester's patrol vehicle. Officer Lester’s
patrol vehicle became trapped beneath the trailer, resulting in severe
internal injuries and head trauma. His partner, K9 Cheri, suffered minor
injuries during the collision. The devastating crash ended Officer
Lester’s 14-year law enforcement career. For the next 25 years, he
required around-the-clock care. Officer Lester died at the Sidney & Lois
Eskenazi Hospital due to complications from the injuries he suffered
during the collision. Kenny worked for the Centerville Police Department
prior to attending the Indiana Police Academy. After graduating from the
academy, he joined the Richmond Police Department in 1980. Officer
Lester was a “mountain of a man” who weighed over 275 pounds and stood
six-foot, four-inches tall. Officer Lester, the son of an Indiana state
trooper, received many commendations and awards during his years of
service. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Polly Jane Kaiser
Lester, as well as his son, Andrew, and his daughter, Kendra. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Richmond Police Department, K9 Fund, 50
North 5th Street, Richmond, Indiana 47374.
Officer Nick O'Rear
February 5, 2020 -
Kimberly, Alabama - Age 33
Police K-9 Officer Nick O’Rear, 33, was shot and killed on 2/4/20 in a
police chase while rendering mutual aid to Warrior Police on I-65 South
near exit 281 in northern Jefferson County. The chase started after a
Warrior officer tried to make a traffic stop about 10:00 pm. Officer
Nick O’Rear was ambushed and the suspect, Preston Johnson, starting
shooting at him inside the car with a Norinco
Mak-90 AK-47. O’Rear was rushed to UAB hospital by
Warrior firefighters in critical condition and later died with a gunshot
wound to the head at 1:10 am. The suspects continued to flee. Around
1:00 am, four people were apprehended near Highway 78 in Dora and taken
into custody just moments after a Blue Alert was issued for the vehicle
and suspect. Officer O’Rear was a veteran of the Kimberly Police
Department for one year. O'rear is a native of St. Clair County and
after graduating from the police academy in July of 2018 he began his
police career with the Ashville Police Department. After a year he moved
to Kimberly Police Department. Officer’s O’Rear's K9 Partner’s name is
Stella and was together since November 1, 2019. He was the father of two
children with one on the way, daughter Everlee, and sons Briar and
Weston. Preston Johnson, 37, was later taken into custody and
charged with capital murder for O’Rear’s death. He’s also charged with
attempted capital murder for shooting at a Warrior officer and carries
the possibility of the death penalty. This is the first Line of Duty
death the Kimberly Police Department has ever had in their history. Nick
is survived by his expectant beloved, a son, a daughter, his K9 partner
Stella.
Johnson is known for his past history with the law. Johnson had an
AR-15, which he was forbidden to have because he was a convicted felon.
He had been arrested on 20 different charges dating back to the early
2000s,and convicted of at least six felony charges, he was released on
his own recognizance just five days after his Oct. 31, 2019 arrest.
While on bond, the defendant has been booked
into the Jefferson County Jail on a charge of capital murder.
In addition to those pending 2019 cases, Johnson pleaded guilty in 2017
to drug possession with intent to distribute and
sentenced to 75 months in jail. His attorney asked he be
able to take part in a diversion program, however a judge denied that
request. In 2011, Johnson pleaded guilty to drug possession. He was
sentenced to 15 years with 18 months to serve. He pleaded guilty in 2009
to drug possession and was sentenced to five years in prison. In 2005,
he pleaded guilty to theft of property and received a15-year suspended
sentence. He pleaded guilty to forgery in 2001 and received a three-year
sentence. In addition to Johnson’s criminal history in state courts,
Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2012 on a charge
of being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol
during a June 20, 2009 arrest in Winston County The indictment showed
Johnson’s previous criminal convictions: a June 6, 2001 conviction in
Cullman for possession of a forged instrument; an Aug. 15, 2001
conviction in Cullman County for second degree forgery; and a May 17,
2005 conviction in Cullman County for first degree theft of property.
Johnson pleaded guilty to the gun charge. He was sentenced to a year and
one day in prison and a supervised release term of three years. Johnson
was arrested on January 11, 2016, for violating the terms and conditions
of that supervised release. The next month, a federal magistrate judge
sent him to federal
prison for 12 months and one day Johnson is also supposed to report to
his U.S. Probation Officer each month. He reported in October 2015, but
he has failed to report since that time.” After being placed on
supervised release, defendant Johnson admitted to the use of
methamphetamine in January 2015. He was later placed in the Color-Code
Random Urinalysis Program for drug testing. Johnson never showed for the
first drug test. He then failed to report for drug testing in June,
August, September and October 2015. Johnson failed to appear for his
test in August 2015 after having been specifically told to attend.
Johnson is also supposed to report to his U.S. Probation Officer each
month. He reported in October 2015, but he has failed to report since
that time.
Johnson originally charged with capital murder in the killing of
Kimberly Police Officer Nick O'Rear was sentenced to prison after
pleading guilty to a lesser charge. Preston Johnson avoided the death
penalty by pleading guilty to intentional murder. Johnson was sentenced
to 25 years in prison after agreeing to the sentence,
a lesser charge than the original capital murder offense he had
originally faced. As part of his plea, Johnson’s prison sentence will
begin after he completes his 16-year sentence in a different federal
case.
Gary Allen Cross
January 15, 2020 -
Summerville, South Carolina - Age - 49
Gary Allen Cross, 49, passed
away on 1/15/20 at his home in Summerville, S. C.. He was a U. S. Marine
having served in the Persian Gulf, City of Radford Police Officer,
Border Patrol Agent and Customs K9 Officer with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection. He is survived by his wife April; sons, Parker and Spencer.
Interment with full military honors. Donations to the American Cancer
Society, American Brain Tumor Association, or to Medical University of
South Carolina Health Hollings Cancer Center.
Officer George
Aguilar
January 13, 2020 -
Bryan, Texas - Age - 62
Officer George Aguilar, 62, died on 1/13/20 after battling cancer.
Aguilar started with the Bryan Police Department in July 1980. He served
as a patrol officer and later as a detective and worked at Lamar and
Bryan High Schools as a School Resource and K9 Officer with the DARE
program. Aguilar retired in 2015 after more than 34 1/2 years of service
to his community. He was awarded six commendations during his career, as
well as a citation and obtained a master peace officer's license. After
his retirement from Bryan Police Department in 2015 , he went to
work for the Brazos County Associate Courts, as a bailiff until his
passing. He is survived by three sons Nicolas, Michael, Gregorio and his
fiancé, Florencia Lerma.
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