Police give dog a formal funeral
Pittsford hosts K-9 ceremony
Toolbox
By Cristina Kumka Herald Staff - Published: August 23, 2008
PITTSFORD — A memorial ceremony held in remembrance of King Luther, the only police dog to die in the line of duty in Vermont's recorded history, blurred the line between man and beast Friday as police officers paid respect to a dog they said was more than an animal — Luther was their partner, the type of crime-fighter they all strive to be.
"They're not trained to be selfless, they just are," said Sgt. Linda Elrick of the Rutland City Police Department.
"You learn love, joy, faithfulness and patience from your dog. You have those qualities in you but the dog brings it out in you," Elrick said, chocking away the tears.
"Sometimes you don't realize that until they're gone."
Elrick, a police dog instructor and certifier at the Vermont Police Academy since 1985, wasn't the only comrade of King Luther to be saddened by the news of the Rutland City police dog's death Tuesday night.
Police dog handlers from more than 17 departments across the state attended Friday morning's funeral for Luther held at the Academy in Pittsford.
The 3-1/2-year-old German shepherd, handled by Officer Frank Post for more than a year, died Tuesday during the pursuit of four men, later arrested on charges they committed a shooting in Leicester and then carjacked three people in Mendon.
Post was laying out spike strips in the middle of North Main Street in an effort to stop the fleeing suspects when Luther reacted, in what Post believes was an effort to protect him — possibly because the dog believed his handler was struggling with an assailant, Post said. Moments later, Luther was struck by a state police cruiser that had been in pursuit of the four men.
To police, Luther's death is the death of an officer in the line of duty.
An American flag and red, white and blue wreath set a somber backdrop to a farewell ceremony fit for the two-legged kind of law enforcer.
Uniformed handlers lined up with their furry partners in front of Luther's ashes mounted on a table.
One by one police officers from across the state approached the microphone and told onlookers what Luther and all K-9s bring to the field of law enforcement before hugging Post, the officer's eyes welling up with tears after each speech.
Many officers spoke about relationships with dogs that far exceeded their expectations. Others reflected on what they learned from Luther and other drug-sniffing, house-hunting patrol dogs — that most of the time, the real masters are the ones with four legs.
"They're strong but not conceited. They're handsome but not vain," said Trooper Robert Giolito of the Vermont State Police, his dog barking in the background.
Deputy Sheriff Jason O'Brien of the Windham County Sheriff's Department sang his own version of Bon Jovi's "Thank You for Loving Me" in memoriam of Luther's loyalty to Post.
"Thank you … for being my eyes when I couldn't see," O'Brien sang.
Luther was one of Vermont's 40 dual-certified police dogs, trained to patrol and sniff out drugs, according to David Dewey, president of the Vermont Police Canine Association.
Luther, the son of another former police dog, "Taz," was trained by Post for six months before officially becoming a member of the Rutland City force July of last year.
"It's something he'll never forget," Dewey said.
Post, who took Luther home every night to his wife, 3-year-old son and two other dogs, said Luther saved his life, in a way few people would understand.
At home, his partner helped him get through the loss of his baby daughter and at work, his partner taught him a lesson he won't soon forget.
"We could arrest somebody and then minutes later Luther would let the guy pet him. He taught me not everyone is always bad," Post said.
Post will be joined by King Bricks, his new police dog, on Aug. 25. Bricks will join the Rutland City force in November after graduating basic training, Post said.
Contact Cristina Kumka at cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com.
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