K-9 Kimon

Handler Rodney Rimstidt

Rising Sun Police Department, Indiana

K9 Kimon was born in Ascha, Germany, August 10, 1999. At the age of one year and ten months, he began his journey from Europe to the United States.  He arrived in Denver, Indiana, at Vohne Liche Kennels to begin narcotics imprinting in July 2001.  Close to this time, Rising Sun Police Chief, Frank McIntosh's K9 partner, Arthur, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away a short time later. Out of Frank's loss of Arthur, and his generosity, Rodney was chosen to be the next K9 handler for the Rising Sun Police Department. And so, Kimon's life with Rodney began. On September 4, 2001, Frank took Rodney to Vohne Liche Kennels to select a new K9. What actually happened was that a K9 chose Rodney.  After being shown several dogs and narrowing it down to two, one dog took the initiative to care that Rodney was there. Sitting on a picnic table after a walk, Rodney was surprised as this dog, Kimon, stepped right up into his arms. Kimon had made his choice and at that moment Rodney knew this was the dog. Arrangements were made to purchase Kimon on that day.  Rodney returned home to make preparations for Kimon's journey to Rising Sun. On September 10, 2001, Rodney poured the concrete foundation for Kimon's kennel floor. Rodney's daughter, Abbey placed handprints into the concrete along with the date. The following morning, Rodney continued preparations to assemble the kennel. During a trip to Aurora with Frank McIntosh to get supplies, Rodney received a phone call from his wife, Angi, telling him to get to a television. We all know and remember that day, September 11, 2001. It was a day that changed the lives of Americans forever. Little did Rodney know how this event, in time, would be of significance to his relationship with Kimon.  Frank and Rodney returned to the kennels in Denver, Indiana, on September 14, 2001, to bring Kimon home. Before leaving, Rodney had to give Kimon a bath to start the bonding process. Once back in Rising Sun, Kimon met Angi and Abbey Rimstidt and members of the Rising Sun Police Department for the first time. 

Kimon and Rodney began their K9 basic training course at Vohne Liche Kennels on September 24, 2001, and graduated on October 26.  K9 Kimon and Rodney hit the streets of Rising Sun October 31, 2001. Over the next fifteen months, Kimon and Rodney worked and trained as a team. On one specific night, Kimon and Rodney were called to assist with a burglary in progress at a local bar in Rising Sun. They conducted a building search for a suspect who was hiding inside. The suspect, hiding in the dark behind a door with a knife, was apprehended by Kimon. This was Kimon's first bite. Kimon would go on to have two more apprehension bites during his career.  Kimon was Rodney's partner on the job, but he also became a family pet as well.  Kimon, Rodney, and Abbey enjoyed spending time together. They played ball, played in the snow, took walks, and spent many evenings on the front porch together.  Abbey would spoil Kimon with lots of dog biscuits. It was not unusual to find all of them curled up together watching television, Kimon's large paws resting on Abbey. February 17, 2003, was a typical winter's day.  Kimon, Rodney, and Abbey were enjoying the day playing in the snow. Rodney was interrupted with a phone call from his National Guard unit. The phone call was an order to report for active duty the following day in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Operation Enduring Freedom was the name given by United States military to the response of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Rodney was torn between his responsibilities as a National Guard career soldier and his responsibilities to the Rising Sun Police Department as a police officer and Kimon's partner. 
Over the next two years, Rodney was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Columbus, Indiana. His duties required him to live away from home. This was a blessing in disguise because he was only two hours away and it gave him the ability to travel home during his time off. This, in turn, allowed him to maintain his bond and friendship with Kimon. This kept the family bond with Kimon intact also. During this time, Kimon was cared for by Frank McIntosh at his home. During Frank's absence,  Kimon went back to the Rimstidt  residence where Angi and Abbey kept him fed, watered and his kennel cleaned. In February 2005, Rodney was released from military service after two years of living apart from his family. Kimon and Rodney returned to Vohne Liche Kennels for several days of training and re-certification. Kimon performed his duties as if he had never missed a day. Kimon and Rodney were soon back on the streets. Over the next eighteen months, it was back to business as usual conducting narcotic searches and answering patrol dog calls in Rising Sun and calls for assistance from any agency. In June of this year, Kimon accompanied his family on vacation. It was an enjoyable trip and Kimon loved roaming through the log cabin and spending quality time with the Rimstidts.  This trip would be the setting for the last photos of Kimon with Rodney and Abbey, taken by Angi at the entrance of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. On August 22, 2006, Kimon and Rodney assisted the Grant County, KY Sheriff's Department with a narcotics search on a high school campus. Kimon alerted to a motor vehicle which led to the arrest of a juvenile for possession of marijuana. This was to be his last arrest. Kimon and Rodney participated in a thirteen-dog demonstration at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center on August 24 and 25, 2006. This was to help train military police heading for duty in Kosovo. This was to be his last demonstration of his abilities. On the evening of September 6, 2006, Kimon and Rodney trained with Doug Taylor and K9 Rico of the Lawrenceburg Police Department and Mike Prudenti and K9 Cib of the Aurora Police Department. The following morning Rodney went to Kimon's kennel to find him in obvious pain. Rodney rushed him to the Grady Veterinarian Hospital in Hamilton County, Ohio, were he asked for an officer to assist in getting through morning rush hour traffic.  Surprisingly, as they neared the hospital, they were escorted by police officers from numerous departments blocking off streets to allow them to go through. Kimon underwent emergency surgery for GVD or stomach bloat, a common killer of deep-chested dogs. Kimon passed away at 12:18 a.m., Friday, September 8, 2006, with Rodney by his side. He was seven years old. It is ironic and poetic that Kimon should leave this world at this time, the fifth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. It is a time to remember those who were lost, the sacrifices made, the hope and all the good we witnessed from the American people.  Kimon came to us at the time of 9/11, was separated from his partner due to 9/11, and left us as we remember 9/11. We find serenity knowing he is now in a better place with those who lost their lives that day and those who have given their lives since that day. It is most likely Kimon has chosen a police officer to walk along side in Heaven, continuing to be the loyal companion he was to his partner and friend, Rodney Rimstidt, here on Earth. 

Thanksgiving morning at 9:30 Officer Julie Schmidt said her final goodbyes to her long time partner, K-9 Jessy who had been battling cancer. Wednesday night Julie knew things were not going well for her friend. Jessy's back leg had again swollen, she was retaining fluid, & was in pain. In her heart, Julie knew the cancer was back.

 Making that trip to the vet, she made that difficult decision, giving Jessy her final selfless gift. Julie whispered in Jessy's ear, reminiscing over all the bad guys they caught & drugs they found...about what a great police dog & true friend she was. Jessy wagged her tail one last time as she listened to Julie's voice, then she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Jessy passed with peace & dignity, free at last from her pain.

 I received the call while on my way to my Dad's for Thanksgiving. My first thought was "What a terrible day to loose such a wonderful dog! How could any of us bear it?"

 But then it dawned on me, what better day to say goodbye? As I searched my heart to find what I could be thankful for on this sad day I could almost feel that secret nudge from a malinois nose, our secret from Julie, that there were treats in my pockets for Jessy. (Really, Julie knew what we were up to & we would both suffer from that look, the roll of the eyes, & then Julie pretending nothing was going on)

 But that angelic nudge by my pocket prompted me to reflect on many fond memories of Jessy. Along with my tears, I found my smile & knew that I am thankful this day, that a scrappy police dog with one flop ear that I called her boink ear came into my life seven years ago as well as the lives of my daughter & the 4-H Dog Club kids of KY. What a fabulous life this little dog had & what a positive impact she had on so many people!

 Julie was not Jessy's first handler. Another officer had her before. But he was involved in several wrecks while on the job with Jessy. Jessy suffered severe injuries & after healing was not keen on working for him. She was returned to the K-9 Kennels she was purchased from. There Julie found her. The connection was instant. The little Malinois that hated riding in cars would jump in for Julie, ready for duty. They had a wonderful career together. Jessy captured & located numerous bad guys. She had countless drug finds. One summer when an elderly woman wandered away & became lost, Jessy was called in to help search, almost seven days after her disappearance. On that hot July 4th Jessy would not give in until she succeeded, bringing much needed closure to the woman's grateful family.

 Julie & Jessy competed on several occasions in the Police K-9 Olympics in Muncie, IN. Their photo made the AP press as Julie finished the final part of the obstacle coarse which required her to carry Jessy over the finish line. This was quite a feat. Jessy had been spayed weeks before & Julie had injured her back while lifting Jessy onto the vet's table to have her staples removed.

 I had the pleasure of going to their last K-9 Olympics. I promised Julie I would get some good photos of Jessy. I was allowed on the obstacle course, high on a hill the two would soon be charging up. As Jessy topped the steep hill with Julie huffing & puffing behind her, her eyes locked on mine. With a sloppy malinois grin I saw a twinkle in her eyes. I held my breath, praying she would not A) see me as a target...which I really wasn't too concerned over, or B) come give me one of her many kisses...my biggest concern. But on she charged past me & down the hill to tackle that "bad guy in the bite suit"! He really was just asking for it after all. I realized her look was more along the lines of "get a load of this & make sure you get my good side!"

 Jessy was long used to me & my camera. We met when my daughter started a project to buy bullet proof vests for police dogs. When Julie learned about Stephanie's 4-H project she contacted us, ready to help, knowing we would need a police dog to prove we were legit. Thus began our long collaboration with Stephanie's Heroes On Paws Project as well as our friendship.   

 Over these past seven years I have lost track of the many early morning trips to the various TV stations to talk about the vest program, fund raisers, etc. We didn't miss a single one! With the help & support of Julie, K-9 Jessy, & the kids of the 4-H Dog Clubs, Stephanie & her project won many awards & gained National recognition. Jessy was there for every award to share it with Stephanie. One of my fondest memories was at the Bell Awards. I have a photo of Julie (not me this time!) feeding cheese cake off her fork to Jessy!

 Jessy earned her own share of awards for her work including the Pet Groups United Police Dog Award of Excellence. She became a very popular dog, featured on the cover of Today's Woman Magazine, appearing in several issues of WOW Girlz Magazine, modeling the latest in police wear in a supply catalog, the list goes on.

 Jessy always attended the numerous Heroes On Paws Fund Raisers put on by our 4-H Dog Club. She was a perfect ambassador for the police dept. I loved watching small kids walk up to her. With a grin she would accept their pats & hugs. I never tired of the awe on their little faces as they touched "a real live police dog". Always at the K-9 booth at the KY March Cluster, she handled herself with dignity & grace, bringing the support of the LKC to the K-9 Unit.

 One of my fondest memories was one of our 4-H fund raisers early on. Stephanie's 4-H dog had passed away in Stephanie's arms the night before from AIHA. Not wanting to let down the police dogs, Stephanie insisted on attending the event. But Jessy knew something was wrong with Stephanie. That day she ignored Julie, sticking to Stephanie like glue, resting her head in her lap any time she sat down. Jessy helped Stephanie get through one of the hardest days of her young life. For that I will always be grateful. 

 Social & friendly Jessy was, but on the many photo shoots I did with her, I saw the business end of her as well. This was one dog any perp in their right mind did not want to tangle with! She knew the difference between social events & work. I never tired of photographing her in action, then having her prance over to me for a hug & secret treat. I will always remain in awe of her.

 My memories keep pouring in at random like a damn that has been breached. Each one brings tears along with smiles. My heart aches along with Julie's. We have been sending email memories back & forth.

 With Jessy's phantom nudge I realize that her passing leaves us with much to be thankful for. She brought my young daughter into adulthood helping her grow into a confidant, strong young woman who loves her dogs & enjoys working with them. She has done the same for many of our 4-H youth. She has inspired us. As "poster dog" for Stephanie's Heroes On Paws, she has helped raise funds to assist countless fellow police K9s. And she has been a shining K-9 ambassador. A successful career Police dog.

 She was our "bikini dog", loving to relax by Julie's pool. She was our "Supah Stah" famous K-9! She was our original Hero On Paws. For all of us who's lives she touched, we have much to be thankful for in that scrappy smiling police dog with the one boink ear.

 Good speed to you K-9 Jessy. I know you will be there to greet us all when our time comes to join you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

K-9 Narco

Handler Sgt. Mike Parrish

Chambers County Sheriff's Department, Alabama

The Chambers County Sheriff's Department reported this morning that it received a call from a man who owns property in the Post Oak Fork community in a rural area of the northern section of the county. He said that he'd observed a pickup truck in a wooded area behind an old country home that's used as a hunting camp. He reported a strong chemical odor at the home site, a sheriff's department official said. Sheriff's deputies, including Sgt. Mike Parrish and K-9 partner Narco, and Chambers County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force officers responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, three men attempted to flee. Parrish instructed them to halt, and when they refused to do so, he released Narco in an attempt to apprehend them. It has been reported that one of the suspects fired a 12-gauge shotgun killing the canine officer. He then attempted to turn the weapon on Parrish before being subdued and taken into custody. The sheriff's department reported that the two other suspects fled into the woods and reported that officers from several law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area. The spokesman reported that a helicopter was requested and dispatched from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation Aviation Unit to perform an air search and reported K-9 tracking units were sent from the Lee County Sheriff's Department and the Opelika Police Department to aid local law enforcement agencies in the ground search. He said that tracking dogs located a second suspect, who was covered with leaves and limbs in a brush thicket cover in an attempt to evade discovery by the helicopter unit. A third suspect was spotted in Valley later that day and was recognized as one of the suspects. The Valley Police Department was notified, and following a high-speed chase that ended in the Cleveland Road area, Weldon fled and eluded capture. The sheriff's department took him into custody at a residence in the West Point Lake community of Booger Hollow. All three suspects are currently incarcerated at the Chambers County Detention Center and face charges of killing a police dog, attempted murder and unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance first degree. A spokesman reported that an illegal drug lab was located behind the old home site. A sheriff's department spokesman said funeral and memorial services for Narco were held March 27, 2006.

K-9 Rico

Handler Lt. Joe Massey

Bartlett Police Department, Tennessee

Retired Bartlett Police K9 near 15, enjoyed a relaxing retirement.

On June 20, 2006, our loving dog and retired Bartlett Police K9, Rico, passed away. He was the partner of my husband, Joe, for five years and had been our family friend for nearly nine. He was truly a man’s best friend and a loyal partner.

Rico, a Belgium Malinois, was almost 15 years old. He was a dual trained narcotic/bite dog originally from Belgium, where his police training begun. His commands were given to him in Dutch.

He was donated to the City of Bartlett by local attorney Terry Edwards in the mid-90’s, and Rico was a certified Bartlett police officer for eight years. His work as a narcotic dog resulted in numerous drug arrests. He has two handlers during his tenure at the Bartlett Police Department, Jim Smith and my husband.

Rico was retired in 2003. He lived a relaxing life with us since his retirement. His favorite place to be was asleep in front of the fireplace when it was cold outside.

He was a great dog, the friendliest dog you would ever meet. However, like most human police officers, when duty called and he received his Dutch commands, his personality changed to all-business.

He was protective to our family but very social when he sensed no threat. Once, a friend of Joe’s was playing around with me acting like he was going to swing a baseball at me. Rico, who was laying at my feet, suddenly made this low guttural sound. It was Rico growling, something he never did at home. Needless to say, our friend dropped the bat immediately.

He is already sadly missed

K-9 Ace

Chambers County, Alabama

K9 ACE WAS A FIVE YEAR OLD MALINOIS THAT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LYMPHOMA (A TYPE OF LEUKEMIA) IN 2005. K9 ACE PASSED AWAY IN DECEMBER OF 2005 AFTER TREATMENT FOR THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. K9 ACE HAD BEEN THE CHAMBERS COUNTY'S K9 SINCE 2003 WHEN HE REPLACED K9 NARCO AFTER HE WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. K9 ACE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY WHO’S LIVES HE TOUCHED IN CHAMBERS COUNTY ALABAMA.