Police lose K-9 crime fighter
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 1 2009 06:20 AM
By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily HeraldHarker Heights police lost a legend Sunday. They lost their officer with the most hair, the best nose for drugs, a sharp bite and a frightening bark.
"
Lando," the department's 12-year-old black Belgian Malinois, died in his sleep Sunday afternoon at the home of his handler and partner, Gabrielle Guerra. He would have celebrated his 13th birthday Tuesday.
Lando was scheduled to be retired July 14 and replaced by Rocky, 2.
Lando achieved local fame delighting children at community functions including National Night Out Against Crime and co-founding a children's literacy program.
"
Lando had incredible charisma. People couldn't stay away," Guerra said. Guerra handled
Lando for the last nine years.
He joined HHPD in December 1998 and instantly became the face of a changing department focused on community policing, Chief Mike Gentry said.
"It's a touching time for us because we lost a team member," he said.
Lando was Bell County's first dual-purpose police dog. He searched for drugs and rode in patrol vehicles.
He won the 2006 Harker Heights Police Officer of the Year award and received his 10-year service pin from the city earlier this year.
Lando achieved national notoriety as an exemplary search, narcotics and patrol dog who served as a model for other departments seeking to expand or enhance K-9 programs. He placed almost every year at National Narcotics Detector Dog Association competitions throughout the United States.
Gentry recalled
Lando's fearlessness Tuesday. Harker Heights SWAT officers responded to a dangerous man barricaded inside a building several years ago. They sent
Lando in first against the unruly suspect. He cornered the man until police followed and arrested him with ease.
One of his career highlights includes throwing out the first pitch, alongside Guerra, at a Texas Rangers baseball game several years ago.
"K-9 units are a team. The dog can't succeed without the handler. The handler can't succeed without the dog," Gentry said.
Gentry said a memorial is planned for next week. A date and time have not been decided.
Contact Victor O'Brien at
vobrien@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468.