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If this is a Law-Enforcement or other Fire/Rescue Mutual-Aid Call-Out
for Search & Rescue K9 Hanna, please call 216-701-8984 and/or
216-375-RDOG. Search team consists of a NAPWDA certified handler
and K9 (Obedience Control, Area Search, and Tracking), with Field
Support trained in GPS, Communications systems, and Land Navigation.
GPS is used exclusively to manage sector coverage. Hanna is
available 24/7 for North East Ohio "rapid response live-find" only.
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To the Ohio K9 community, it is with a sad heart we report the passing of Gunner; Or, Gunny as we knew him.
Gunner passed away of natural causes, on August 6th 2007.
Gunny, was, under the direction of his handler Bill Truax, one of the finest working dogs found anywhere. Gunny was expertly trained in Search & Rescue, as well as EOD (Explosive Ordinance Detection). He was extraordinary in both disciplines.
Gunny was often present at any number of K9 events in Ohio ... he was an ambassador, to both children and adults, interested in learning what working dogs are capable of accomplishing. The photo above dates from 2001, and only one example of many......
Perhaps heaven is a bit brighter now. But, the working dog community in Ohio, remains in sorrow for his loss.
Godspeed Gunner....
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MENTOR POLICE K9, BRONCO
November 10, 1998-November 9, 2006
Dates of Service: March 13, 2000-November 9, 2006
K9 Bronco joined the Mentor Police Department in March of 2000 when he was selected by Master Trainer Jim Watson and K9 Patrolman Ron Gunton from Von der Haus Gill kennels in Wapakoneta.
Then known as “Baxi,” Bronco was a 16 month old German Shepherd and was imported by Al Gill from the Czech Republic. He was assigned to his new partner, Patrolman Rich Gerber and began his basic K9 training on March 13, 2000 under Watson with Gunton assisting. The team was fully certified in August 2000 and began working the street at that time.
During their tenure on the K9 Unit, Officer Gerber and Bronco tallied the following numbers:
11 Article searches
41 Area searches
164 Building searches
182 Narcotics detection searches
69 Tracks
485 Officer assists
144 Preventive action incidents
42 Public demonstrations
290 Community policing outings
11515 Citizen contacts
82 Mutual aid requests
47 Felony arrests
85 Misdemeanor arrests
1572 Total uses
In addition to these numbers, Bronco received many awards as shown below:
2000 German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA)—Northern Ohio chapter—Hero Dog--Rookie of the Year
2001 GSDCA—Hero Dog Award for Narcotics Detection
2003 GSDCA—Hero Dog Honorable Mention
2006 North American Police Work Dog Association—Outstanding Service Award
Other highlights in Bronco’s career:
Ø 2000--Bronco was responsible for apprehending a suspect who fled from a stolen car after committing a robbery at GLM. As Bronco was about to engage the suspect, the suspect surrendered and Bronco recalled per Ptl. Gerber’s command without biting the suspect.
Ø 2001—Bronco alerted on $30,000 in currency during an operation with the Caribbean Task Force. This money was subsequently seized as asset forfeiture.
Ø 2001—Bronco successfully tracked a burglary suspect from Brentmoor Elementary School to his residence.
Ø 2002—Bronco located a burglary suspect inside Lou’s Tire Mart who had attempted to conceal himself in a stack of tires.
Ø 2003—Bronco located a suspect who fled after crashing his vehicle during a pursuit by Grand River PD. The suspect attempted to conceal himself under a deck in a residential area.
Ø 2003—Bronco successfully located a suicidal subject during a track in an area that had “already been checked” by officers.
Ø 2004—Assisted in locating and arresting three suspects involved in an armed robbery at TGIFridays.
Ø 2005—Assisted Painesville PD on a track of a suspect who fled from a traffic stop. Bronco successfully tracked the suspect to a garage where he was found hiding under a pile of blankets.
Ø 2005—Bronco was solely responsible for tying a suspect to an armed robbery. Bronco’s track of the suspect from the suspect vehicle to where he was found was the only direct link between the suspect and the crime. Bronco’s track was the center of the jury trial in which the suspect (and subsequently his accomplice) was found guilty.
Bronco also worked numerous operations with the Mentor SWAT Unit and was also assigned to the Presidential Security Detail when President Bush visited Mentor in 2005. He could also frequently be found patrolling Mentor’s malls, parks and other public places where he was always met with a warm reception with anyone around—particularly small children. Bronco was also an annual participant at Mentor’s Kops-n-Kids Christmas party. His friendly demeanor most certainly endeared him to all who ever met him. Bronco’s disposition and level of effectiveness served as a vivid testimony of the commitment and dedication put forth by Officer Gerber throughout their time together.
Bronco had served the Mentor Police Department for over six years when his life was tragically cut short. Bronco had gotten out of his fenced-in yard and was struck by a car approximately ½ mile from his home. Bronco succumbed to his injuries that night, leaving his handler, his family and all who worked him devastated. During his tenure with the Mentor Police Department, Bronco was embraced by all members of the Department as well as those in his community. He will most certainly be missed.
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2006 K9 TRIBUTE ~ Mentor, OH K9 THUNDER Rtd.
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