Another casualty ?????
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:54 pm
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.
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.