Another casualty ?????

[Baja boy]

Scottsdale K-9 unit supervisor kills police dog

by Monique DeVoe - Aug. 29, 2008 04:01 PM
The Arizona Republic

A Scottsdale police dog was shot and killed by his handler on Friday, but police say they think the death was accidental.

This is the first time a police dog has died in the line of duty in the department's 45-year history, said Chief Alan Rodbell.

"Certainly we don't think it was intentional," said Sgt. Mark Clark.

Sgt. Chris Coffee shot Striker, a 6-year-old Czech shepherd, while they were searching a home about 3 a.m. near 104th Way and Dynamite Boulevard, police said.

Police responded to a house alarm and the owner was present.

Striker and Coffee were called to the house by officers who had discovered an open door.

Striker was on a leash, and while conducting the search, Coffee shot Striker, police said. Details were not available.

No intruder was found.

Striker was rushed to the emergency animal clinic, but his wound was fatal.

"This is being fully investigated," Rodbell said at a news conference to announce the dog's death.

Striker's death comes about a year after Chandler police K-9 Bandit perished in the heat when Sgt. Tom Lovejoy left him in his patrol car. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Lovejoy on suspicion of animal abuse. Lovejoy was found not guilty on Aug. 15 by the San Tan Justice Court.

The Sheriff's Office said it will not get involved in Striker's case.

"No, we're not investigating this one," said Capt. Paul Chagolla. "This would be something that Scottsdale (police) would handle."

Rodbell said Coffee was devastated and expressed the department's feelings during the conference.

"You can feel the sadness in the hallways here at headquarters," Rodbell said. "This is a loss not just for our police department. It's a loss for our city government. It's a loss to the community."

Coffee, with the department for 10 years, is on a minimum 72-hour leave, a standard department policy.

Coffee has been in charge of the K-9 unit for two-and-a-half years and worked with Striker during that time.

Striker had been in the unit for four years and was one of six police dogs.

"Anyone that has pets and has a lost a pet can imagine how this man is feeling," Rodbell said.

Rodbell said Coffee and Striker were more than just partners.

"They live together, they play together, they train together, and they spend their entire tour of duty together," Rodbell said. "They're best friends."

The dogs take risks for officers, he said.

"They go in the door in lieu of us going in the door," Rodbell said.

[DougWojtowicz]

Police dogs become family to their handlers. Coffee must be putting himself through hell over an accident.

Finger in register, NOT on the trigger!

My prayers for officer Coffee.

[308Mike]

The death of a canine partner is always hard on the handler, even if the death is through negligence:

Officer speaks publicly about death of canine partner

By Kristina Davis
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

3:14 p.m. August 29, 2008

SAN DIEGO – San Diego police Officer Paul Hubka will forever remember June 20, 2008, as one of the worst days of his life.

More.............

[mekender]

it is a good thing that it was a cop and not one of us measly untrained civilians... might have lost more than one dog...

[DougWojtowicz]

Bad bad Mekender - the man is accidentally responsible for the death of the most loyal and selfless partner a police could hope for.

No time for a joke, ever.

[mekender]

Bad bad Mekender - the man is accidentally responsible for the death of the most loyal and selfless partner a police could hope for.

No time for a joke, ever.

not a joke... we as gun owners get to constantly listen to how cops are more responsible because they are better trained...

Cops can CCW damn near anywhere... they dont have to depend on the sheriff to sign a piece of paper to buy a gun here in NC... they constantly get off with a slap on the wrist when they negligently shoot someone in a case where us normal people would go to prison... hell in some politicians statements, we regular people shouldnt even own guns because cops are better than we are...

[Baja boy]

One part of me says "I hope he is suffering" and then as tears come into my eyes thinking of my Dogs and their deaths --as if I lost part of me !!

[308Mike]

Trust me, when one of these guys lose a dog, it's like losing a member of the family. THEY HURT. They've come to know and depend on these animals even more than a human partner does.

• * You don't take your human partner home with you each night and are responsible for their care.
  * Your human partner doesn't learn and enjoy the presence of your kids in the same way.
  * Your human partner hasn't dedicated itself to protecting you and perhaps jumping in the way of bullets and knives to protect you.
  * For all that love and protection, all your canine partner needs is love, affection, food, and training.
  * Your canine partner doesn't get moody, philosophical, worries about other partners, or cares if you look at another dog.
  * Your canine partner would gladly train with you EVERY DAMN DAY or go search a building and let them get a REAL bite on a human for a change.
  * Your canine partner thinks you're the next best thing to God, and the best thing that could happen to him would be to die in your arms.

I've worked with quite a few canine officers, and one they've had canine partners, they don't want regular partners. There's something to be said there.

So when a canine officer loses his dog, it's like ripping his soul out.

Give the guys a break.

[mekender]

Trust me, when one of these guys lose a dog, it's like losing a member of the family. THEY HURT. They've come to know and depend on these animals even more than a human partner does.

• * You don't take your human partner home with you each night and are responsible for their care.
  * Your human partner doesn't learn and enjoy the presence of your kids in the same way.
  * Your human partner hasn't dedicated itself to protecting you and perhaps jumping in the way of bullets and knives to protect you.
  * For all that love and protection, all your canine partner needs is love, affection, food, and training.
  * Your canine partner doesn't get moody, philosophical, worries about other partners, or cares if you look at another dog.
  * Your canine partner would gladly train with you EVERY DAMN DAY or go search a building and let them get a REAL bite on a human for a change.
  * Your canine partner thinks you're the next best thing to God, and the best thing that could happen to him would be to die in your arms.

I've worked with quite a few canine officers, and one they've had canine partners, they don't want regular partners. There's something to be said there.

So when a canine officer loses his dog, it's like ripping his soul out.

Give the guys a break.

First of all, you will never find someone that supports LEO's more than I do... I have several good friends that are cops and many more acquaintances that are.

But, when a cop makes a mistake, they should be held to the same standards (or even higher ones) as us regular folks... If I had negligently shot my dog, I would be facing animal cruelty charges at the very least unless I could prove that it was either a total malfunction or a pure accident. And I would have to get arrested, make bail and then hire a lawyer to prove my innocence... Cops on the other hand get "investigated." (with pay I might add)

I am all for giving them a break, and in most cases I will, but when their "mistakes" are things where you or I would be charged criminally, is it too much to ask that they be treated the same way?

[DougWojtowicz]

not a joke... we as gun owners get to constantly listen to how cops are more responsible because they are better trained...

Cops can CCW damn near anywhere... they dont have to depend on the sheriff to sign a piece of paper to buy a gun here in NC... they constantly get off with a slap on the wrist when they negligently shoot someone in a case where us normal people would go to prison... hell in some politicians statements, we regular people shouldnt even own guns because cops are better than we are...

Coffee doesn't sound like someone who's giving HIMSELF a slap on the wrist.

But, I promised not to start shit on this board. Bye.