5K race to honor fallen New York State Trooper
You couldn’t have asked for a better day for the 2nd Annual Brink 5k race today at the University at Albany.
Students, faculty, and community members laced up their sneakers for a loop around the university.
The event celebrates and honors the life of fallen New York State Trooper David Brinkerhoff who was killed in the line of duty two years ago.
Maryland trooper honored for service
Trooper 1st Class Robert B. Rezza was recently named Maryland State Trooper of the Year for 2008. Last year he made 20 drunken driving arrests and 88 criminal arrests, and also served 51 arrest warrants. He was recognized for his charity work helping needy children and families in Southern Maryland, where he works out of the Leonardtown Barracks. Rezza joined the state police in 2002, two days after he retired from the Prince George’s County Police Department after a 23-year career there.
Do you enjoy working as a state trooper after so many years as an officer in Prince George’s County?
I do. I made rank and became a detective early in my career, and I didn’t have a lot of time on the street once I was a detective. Most of my time was spent behind a desk on a telephone, doing interviews. [Becoming a trooper] was an incentive to go back to working the road, which I find very liberating. Also, I work at a full-service barracks, which means we work side by side with the sheriff’s office. We handle all aspects of police work: burglaries, domestics, drug investigations, even rape and homicides. In some counties troopers only enforce traffic laws. It’s fortunate to work at a full-service barracks because we see the whole realm of law enforcement.
What does it mean to be named trooper of the year?
Personally it’s rewarding because I’m the oldest trooper at the barracks. My nickname is Pops. So I wanted to prove my value to the agency. I wanted to keep up with the younger troopers. The award shows me and others that I’m not here just to collect retirement pay or ease out of law enforcement.
How did you become interested in law enforcement?
My interest started back in high school. It seemed like a fun, exciting and rewarding job. If you have the inclination to do it, there are a hundred different job specialties you can go into. As it turned out, I always loved working patrol, working the streets and meeting people.
Southeast neighbors honor, support 4-legged officers
A group of citizens gathered to honor a fallen officer at Portland Police Bureau’s SE Precinct on February 1. In nine years on the force, this cop helped his partner capture 415 suspects, conduct 1,878 searches, and took down a criminal who was shooting at his partner.
By the way, this police officer wasn’t human. He was a K-9 Police dog named Deny [pronounced "Denny"].
Working with his human counterpart, Officer Shawn Gore, the pair received 26 separate commendations and two Police Bureau medals, trained with the Police Bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team ‚Äì and gave 43 demonstrations to youth groups across the city.
Deny developed an inoperable brain tumor, was put to sleep in October of 2006.
Accepting the award, Gore said simply, “Thank you very much. There are a lot of good people doing good work. I’m honored to be here.”
Gets new partner
Even though Deny is gone, Gore won’t be on patrol alone. At the awards ceremony–presented as part of the SE Precinct Citizen’s Advisory Council meeting–the officer introduced his new partner, Eddie.
“He’s a pure-bred Belgian Malinois,” Gore told us. “We’ve been together for nine weeks; and, we’re in our fourth week of class. Eddie is going to be a great partner.”
SE citizens “adopt” police dogs
Speaking for the Advisory Council, Eric Bosler told us, “our group has been the council to East Precinct originally, and now to SE Precinct, for almost 30 years. We adopted the K-9’s as one of our programs.”
It was decided early on, Bosler said, that the group felt they could “make a real difference” by directly supporting the police dog program. “Not only to the K-9 Unit officers work in our precinct, but they also travel to all parts of the city. In talking with officers over the years, they’ve told us, without exception, one of the best tools at their disposal is to be able to call in a dog. This is why our commitment to this program remains strong.”
Equipment costs have gone up, Bosler told the group. A full ballistic vest for a police dog costs about $1,600, he said, by way of example. Then, he held up a check ‚Äì a donation from a citizen ‚Äì to pay for a new K-9 vest. “Thank you, citizens, for all you do.”
K-9 Unit moves to SE Precinct
Partly because the SE Precinct Advisory Council supports the program, we learned the K-9 Unit will be moved back to SE Precinct on February 22.
The division has a staff of one sergeant, plus ten officers with canine partners.
“With staffing at this level,” K-9 Unit Sgt. Bob McCormick told us, “we’ll have officers and their dogs available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
We asked the sergeant why officers appreciate having police dogs available.
“The dogs’ unique ability to use their nose allows us to locate suspects more quickly, and safely, than any other method,” McCormick explained.
Without the dogs, he added, they would not find people who are a danger to our community. “Our job, as K-9 teams, is to find people who are highly-motivated to not get caught. They are hiding, running, and fighting. We locate, and help take into custody, those who are the most challenging to capture.”
McCormick said that the 10-week training that officer-handlers go through is the most challenging training program in law enforcement.
New K-9 officers train
At the meeting, Officer Bert Combs, a 22-year veteran of the K-9 Unit was honored as he retires. Combs worked with four canine partners during his career. He’s retiring with his present partner, Brutus.
Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Rod Beard, who oversees the K-9 Unit, also recognized the two newest dog handlers. “They have captures already. It tells me the K-9 Unit is in good hands. They are very motivated, and work very hard.”
Beard thanked the members of the Advisory Council, saying, “You all have been strong supporters of our K-9 Unit. We thank you.”
Manteca Police conduct 39th annual K9 trials
Friday night narcotics dogs entered a separate competition to judge how best they could sniff out the different drugs on the street today.
Three Manteca canine officers entered their dogs in competition with departments from Citrus Heights to Benicia and Madera.
Grant Flory who has served in the Manteca canine unit until recently entered his partner “Spike” in the retired competition. Flory also put on an exhibition with his giant Schnauzer “Iro” who he is training for both protection and for narcotics detection.
Manteca’s Dale Goforth competed with his canine Gage and Randy Chiek put “Blade” through his paces. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s canine officer Terry Schaeffer put his dog “Spike” up against all comers – “Spike” did very well. It was “Spike” who captured the auto theft suspect hiding inside a hollowed-out box spring earlier this week on Cherry Lane.
The Manteca Police Department currently has four working dogs and a fifth that is being certified. Sgt. Lewis Clark, who heads up the unit, said officers are looking for one more canine to fill a vacancy.
He added that he hopes to fill two vacant positions for narcotics sniffing canines within the next two to three weeks. Up until now officers had to call for mutual aid when they had a drug search – often from Ripon when their dog was available.
Manteca officers voiced their appreciation to Manteca Trailer and Camper for continuing to supply an RV with a power plant that is used every year to set up an office at the site of the competition. Officers added that Manteca Trailer also provides a second motor home for snack bar use.
The trailer and camper firm on Highway 120 east of Highway 99 also parked a Jumping Jack camping trailer at the park Saturday – it’s a $6,000 prize and the raffle tickets are free for the asking. The drawing won’t be for a couple weeks yet. Tickets are still available at their display room.
Another Manteca business that has sponsored the dog trials is Aunty’s Dog Grooming located on West Yosemite Avenue at McKinley providing monetary support for the event. Countless volunteers from inside and outside the police department make the trials possible.
Manteca canine officer of the last 19 years, Grant Flory, was presented with a wall piece centered with a color photograph of his recently retired canine, “Spike.” He and “Spike” took first place Saturday in the retired category – which would have equated to second place had they been able to compete in the open division.
The number one team in the two-day competition was Chico Police Department’s Brett Smith and Robert Hartman. Search honors went to Officer Steve Thomson of Sacramento Police Department. Brett Smith of Chico PD and his canine partner finished first in the obedience category.
Jake Heinemeyer of the Benicia Police Department took the first place in the agility category.
First place in the protection phase went to Officer Felix Roman, of the Modesto Police Department’s canine unit; overall to Lori Alva, Madera PD, and novice winner was Steve Thomson, of the Sacramento Police Department.
Partners in crime-fighting
LAPEER — The county’s top dog noses out narcotics, locates the lost and unearths evidence.
“Drago,” a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, has been on duty with the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department for more than eight years and teamed with deputy Mike Tappen for more than five of them.
“He is my partner,” said Tappen. “Where I go, he goes.”
The duo, with Lapeer City Police officer Shawn Broecker, and his German Shepherd canine partner “Axel,” plus eight other county canine units, keep drugs out of schools.
“Sheriff Kalanquin has a mutual aid agreement with the other counties,” Tappen said. “It saves the counties a lot of money, and puts more than one dog on the scene when they’re needed.”
The certified K-9 units from the Mid Michigan Police Canine Association train once a week to sharpen their skills. At the request of the school’s policing jurisdiction, they often use a conditioning day to insure there is no drug activity at the schools. Nine K-9 teams from Lapeer, Genesee, Sandusky, Shiawasee and Tuscola counties searched Imlay City High School and Almont High School Tuesday. The dogs deemed both schools drug free.
“They got there just before 9 a.m. unannounced,” said Imlay City Police officer Joseph DeLuca, the school liaison officer. “They did a general search of the exterior, the outside of the lockers and around the vehicles in the parking lot.”
Though lockers remained shut, the canines could have easily detected the presence of illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana or heroin. During the search, school officials stood by in case any were determined suspicious. The dogs sense of smell is so keen, they can easily detect narcotics inside a vehicle though the windows and doors are shut.
“When there is a cake in the oven, that’s what we smell,” Tappen said. “But Drago smells each ingredient like the baking powder, the butter, and the eggs.”
While on the job, Drago has recovered evidence to put away criminals and sniffed out a lot of drugs including 850 pounds of marijuana during one bust. Tappen is most proud of his partner when he finds lost or missing people.
“There was a 10-year-old boy that had medical problems who ran off with his dog Snoopy,” Tappen said recalling one incident. “We had Oakland County helicopters called out. Drago found him and ran right up to him”
The dog was trained by Mid-Michigan Kennels in Eaton Rapids; the company specializes in police dogs. Drago only follows orders from Tappen.
“He will follow commands in three languages, English, Chech, and sign,” Tappen said. “Some of the dogs are trained in French, Russian or German.”
When Tappen is in the squad room, Drago remains in the police car. The deputy wears a special sensor that monitors the temperature inside the cruiser to insure the dog is comfortable.
Besides spending one week a year in the kennel for a family vacation, Tappen and Drago are side by side. Tappen’s police partner is also a member of the family. He sleeps inside the home and is affectionate and loyal to his wife and two children. But when there’s a visitor, Drago is regulated to his crate.
When Drago becomes too old for police work, he will live full time with the Tappens.
Geez Louise, even the dogs are getting pink slips….
City may lay off 4-legged officers
South Carolina’s pervasive economic downturn is threatening what was once one of the safest jobs in Columbia: being a police dog or a police horse.
About 16 police animals — 13 dogs and three horses — could be laid off by July 1 as the Columbia Police Department struggles to make its budget.
The department overspent its 2008 budget by $4 million and is already $2 million over budget for this fiscal year, which ends in June. With city revenues expected to fall $4 million next year, Chief Tandy Carter — hired last May — is proposing to cut funding for the department’s K-9 and mounted patrol units.
The department spends about $75,000 a year on horses and about $35,000 a year on dogs, according to Capt. Isa Green, who oversees the two units. That includes food, veterinary bills and shelter. It does not include salaries and benefits for the human officers who work with the animals; they would not be laid off.
If the funds are cut, the dogs would most likely stay with the police officers as pets, Carter said. The horses would probably be donated to other agencies.
City Council members, while they do not prepare the budget, have final say on what’s in the budget. Contacted last week, a majority of council members said they do not support eliminating the K-9 unit, but would support doing away with the horses.
The dogs are trained in tracking human scent and identifying hidden drugs. They also sometimes are simply intimidating: Suspects who might not be frightened of an officer can freeze in their tracks at the sight of the dogs.
Sgt. Andre Williams, who oversees the K-9 unit, estimates the dogs are called to duty about twice a week. The officers who handle the dogs are spread throughout the city’s four police regions but can go wherever they’re needed.
The mounted patrol mainly works the city’s parks, including downtown’s large Finlay Park. Carter said they serve as a public-relations tool more than anything else, which is why council members are more agreeable to cutting their funding.
“The mounted patrol to me is really ceremonial,” Councilman Daniel Rickenmann said.
The department has 13 dogs — Dottie, Jinx, Meca, Zena, Cole, Zeus, Max, Max (no relation), Zoro, Blue, Josephine, Jazzy and Bobo.
The mounted patrol had five horses, but two — Shiloh and Beorn — were killed in a 2007 car wreck. That left three horses — Harvey, a thoroughbred, and Brinx and Trouble, both quarter horses.
It was not clear if the department acquired more horses after 2007. Officials with the mounted patrol unit could not be reached for comment last week.
Police officers, by the nature of their dangerous jobs, have a special bond with each other — and the same is true of police animals.
When Shiloh and Beorn were killed in 2007, the department held a memorial service for them at Finlay Park that had a 32-horse procession from departments in Raleigh, Wilmington and Savannah, among others.
With police dogs, that bond is even closer. Columbia officers assigned to the K-9 unit keep the dogs at their homes when they are off duty.
Blue, a 13-year-old German Shepherd, was purchased from a breeder in The Netherlands and has been with Williams for his entire career.
“That’s my son,” Williams said. “I don’t have a boy. I have two girls, and Blue is my son.”
Zeus and Zena are brother and sister. So are Zoro and Dottie. Meca was donated from the Greer Police Department, while Josephine, the department’s lone bloodhound, was rescued from the side of the road.
To Carter, something has to give: It’s cut men or cut animals.
But several council members said Carter has options other than eliminating the K-9 unit, such as reducing the department’s overtime budget.
“I just don’t feel like the police department has been good stewards of the money they have been given,” Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine said.
Devine pointed to Woodcreek Farms, a subdivision off Clemson Road in Northeast Richland, at the farthest reaches of the city. The department does not assign officers to that area, but instead uses overtime to make sure it is patrolled.
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Devine said. “You know it’s part of the city; you know the city has to do patrols out there.”
But Carter said when City Council members annexed Woodcreek Farms into the city, they did not give the police department more money or more officers to patrol the extra space.
“I think it’s a very good use of overtime,” Carter said. “Right now crime is down 10 percent. Crime would not be down 10 percent if we weren’t able to spread the resources.”
Stream of horrific crimes takes toll on town cops
TRACY, Calif. — Detective Nate Cogburn’s last few months have been filled with the stuff of nightmares. Neighbors charged with shackling and torturing a teenager in a Tracy home.
A substitute teacher accused of molesting upward of 15 students. A surgeon arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of dozens of patients.
And, most recently, a Sunday school teacher charged with kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, the playmate of her own little girl. “I was just bombarded,” said Cogburn, who grew up nearby and joined the Tracy police force after college.
“They always say don’t take your cases home with you _ they preach that every day from day one at the academy,” said Cogburn, 28. “But I always take them home. They’re with me all the time.” This San Francisco Bay-area suburb has nearly doubled in size since the mid-1990s, to 80,000 people. It has been ranked one of the state’s safest cities, but those recent major cases have taken a toll on its police officers. “
As the city grows, inevitably, the crime gets more complex, there will be more conflict … and the police will get caught in the middle of that,” said Joseph McNamara, a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution who was San Jose’s police chief from 1976 to 1991.
Police were especially stressed by the disappearance and murder last month of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu. The department’s sworn officers and staff pulled 2,966 hours of overtime on that case alone.
And tougher than the intense work is the lull that follows, when the mask of professional composure comes down and doubts, sadness and anger come through, said Tracy police chaplain Dan Higgins.
“When they’re able to focus on their jobs and do their part, they have an outlet,” said Higgins. “The hard part comes later.”
Cogburn worked 200 hours in two weeks in the search for Sandra and then for her killer. This meant little sleep, no breaks, a canceled second wedding anniversary weekend in Napa with his cancer-stricken wife, and less time with his 10-year-old stepson.
Sandra disappeared from her home in a mobile home park on March 27, and Cogburn got the call hours later, after he got back from the funeral of a Tracy resident who was one of four Oakland police officers gunned down after a traffic stop of a parolee.
He and other officers worked through the night, and into the next day _ a 36 hours straight.
“By God, the difference between finding her alive or dead might be a few minutes, so we wouldn’t leave, we wouldn’t sleep at all,” he said.
On April 6, farmworkers pulled a suitcase from an irrigation pond. Police Chief Janet Thiessen’s voice broke as she announced that Cantu’s body was inside.
It was a blow to the officers who had given their days and nights to the case and had seen their children in Cantu’s brown eyes and long brown hair.
“That was the hard part,” said Cogburn, choking up.
“It wasn’t going to be the ending we were all praying for,” he said. “All of a sudden, here it is. It’s happening. The worst is happening right now.”
As the town mourned, police officers worked harder.
“It was an utter letdown, but it was only momentary,” said Capt. John Espinoza, 47, the incident commander. “It was quick: from loss, grieving, to ‘we have to work through this, let’s go.’”
Cogburn wrote about 20 search warrants that day. Investigators knocked on doors, searching homes in the mobile home complex and a nearby church _ where 28-year-old Melissa Huckaby taught Sunday school and her grandfather preached.
Police later arrested Huckaby, who is jailed without bail awaiting trial on charges that could carry the death penalty.
Cogburn noted a January incident involving Huckaby and another missing child. A police report said that 7-year-old girl turned up but doctors found muscle relaxants in her bloodstream. No arrests were made.
Huckaby told KOVR-TV that she had taken the 7-year-old and her own 5-year-old daughter, who were playmates, to a park then brought the girl home.
At the time of that incident, Huckaby was just “an individual with a history of petty theft,” Cogburn said.
The investigation of Sandra’s disappearance and death absorbed resources that Tracy could ill afford. The town has a projected $3.5 million budget shortfall this fiscal year.
“The police chief said this was going to be a major effort of significant expense, and I said ‘You do what you need to do.’” recalled City Manager Leon Churchill Jr.
The city has not calculated the total cost of the case, said Zane Johnston, finance director.
“Putting a price tag implies a value to the case, and no amount of money will bring this little girl back,” said Johnston.
The city’s thank you to officers came as a barbecue in front of city hall. Residents approached cops at coffee shops to tell them how much their work was appreciated. Sandra’s aunt, Angie Chavez, thanked the dozens of officers who attended the little girl’s memorial for their dedication.
Cogburn remains haunted by the case.
“I feel nothing in terms of a sense of relief or solace. I feel nothing but devastation. Nothing,” he said. “It is a good thing that we’ve identified a suspect _ a good thing for the investigation, for the D.A.’s office, for being able to close this case, hopefully for the family. But emotionally it’s a vacuum.”
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