Loss of 2 Officer in 3 weeks!

[redding]

Hello all,
The department listed in the links pasted is the PD that I will officially be starting work at next Tuesday. Please pray for the Officers' family, the family of Officers that lost these 2 soldiers and pray for me as well. I am really coming in at a vulnerable time and these news stories are both just tragic.

http://www.goupstate.com/article/200...apparent_cause

http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/local/a..._officer/7733/

Rest in peace, brothers!

[redding]

Just thought I'd post the stories to make them easier for everyone to read. See below.

Police K9 dog dies suddenly, no apparent cause

By Christina Wilson


Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
One of two Czechoslovakian German Shepards used by The Greer Police Department

for drug enforcement, evidence searches and tracking victims and suspects last week died off duty of mysterious causes after being rushed by handler Scott Broome to a Greenville veterinary clinic, according to police officials.

"It was very sudden," Chief Dan Reynolds said of Ajax' death. "(Officer Broome) went out feed him and he collapsed. There was question of an autopsy to determine the cause but we said 'No.'"

More loyal partner than pet, the dog was to be cremated and the ashes are to be given to Broome, who was unavailable for comment last week as he took time off to mourn.

"He is devastated," Reynolds said. "These canines and their handlers are together 24-7. He took very good care of the dog, feeding, handling and training him. There was nothing wrong with the dog we were aware of."

Alpha males Ajax and Atos, handled by Officer Jim Williams, officially joined the department September 2007 after being purchased from a North Carolina kennel last spring through funds donated by local philanthropist Haritte Thompson, also unavailable for comment.

Ajax was 3-years-old, "just a pup," Reynolds said.

The department started its K9 program in 1994 when Black Labrador Murray was purchased to serve strictly as a drug dog. That dog was retired from service in 2004.

The department's first full-service police dog was Bronco, another Czechoslovakian German Shepard handled 1998-2001 by Broome, who then purchased the dog from the city. He ceased serving as a K9 handler until Ajax was purchased.

Sadly, Bronco was euthanized last March due to cancer. "I felt heartbroken when I had to put him down, but we were able to do that at my house in his bed," said Broome last October, noting then he was thankful to be back working as a K9 handler. "For me, having a dog, I think, is the best job in law enforcement."

Broome is to continue working patrol. There are no plans at this time to purchase a replacement dog, Reynolds said. "They're very effective law enforcement tools but we'll have to reassess the program to see what we need going forward."

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Greenville Deputies Investigating Death of Greer Police Officer
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By Steven Jones
Web Content Coordinator
Published: August 27, 2008

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of Larry Schwentker, a sergeant with the Greer Police Department.

Greenville County told us they went to Schwenyker’s home at 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday after a Greer police officer found him dead from a gunshot wound at 100 Mary Rose Lane, Apt. 833 in Greer.

Schwentker was arrested on Monday, the sheriff’s office said, for disorderly conduct. He was released under his own recognizance at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Schwentker had over 20 years of service with the police department, beginning work in 1987, Greer police told us.

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is treating the case as a death investigation, although Shea Smith, with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, issued a statement that it appeared to be a self-inflicted death.

[nuthead]

I read about those as they're pretty close to home. My prayers are with the families and best of luck to you on the new job!