Vacaville, Ca. Police lose faithful canine to cancer

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Vacaville police lose faithful canine to cancer
By The Reporter, Vacaville

VACAVILLE - Barely two months into his retirement from the Vacaville Police Department, Uso, a German shepherd assigned to Officer Marc Raymond, is dead.
Uso, suffering from the debilitating effects of cancer, was euthanized on Dec. 16.

Raymond was crushed, said Lt. Jan Makowski, but made the best decision for his four-legged partner.

"It was excruciating for him," Makowski said. "Everyone is close to their pets, but those who work with them in the capacity of law enforcement, they feel it 10-fold, the bond and the commitment to each other."

The German-born dog, whose full name was Uso vom Lachenerweg, was 2 years old when he joined the Vacaville force on Oct. 16, 2000. A month later, Uso and Raymond completed basic training. They were inseparable for the next five years.

Uso was deployed 150 times and located 16 suspects who were in hiding, tracked eight others and physically brought in five suspects, Makowski said. About 16 suspects gave up without a fight when they learned the dog was on the scene, he added.

The dog was also trained in detecting narcotics. Memorable finds include multiple pounds of marijuana and cocaine and numerous ounces of methamphetamine. He reportedly also identified more than $10,000 in cash as illicit drug money.

Raymond, in a prepared statement, recalled Uso's love of children and the dog's extreme loyalty to officers.

"He could often be found with children crawling on and around him during public demonstrations," Raymond said. "He would just sit in the middle of a group of children touring his patrol car and calmly watch as they played with the lights and siren."

In the fall, Raymond realized that Uso was ready to retire. "Marc said Uso was tired, his stamina was decreased, jumping and other rigorous things he was unable to do," Makowski said.

On Oct. 23, Uso officially was retired. At that last shift briefing, Makowski said, officers gave him a rare treat, "a tasty filet mignon steak, which he quickly devoured and thoroughly enjoyed."

Soon after, Raymond discovered the dog had cancer.

Raymond now is the coordinator of the K-9 Unit, and the team is in the process of expansion. The growth of the community necessitates adding more dogs to the team, which began 20 years ago with two dogs and two handlers, Makowski said.

Slated to join veteran K-9 Officer Dave Spencer and Vito are officers Julie Hayes and Cary Ballard and their dogs, Cir and Hexer. Officer Kelli Gottlieb is slated to meet her canine partner in March or April.

Makowski said the support of the community has been integral to the team's growth and success. The new dogs, plus their training, cost about $7,000 each, he said, and officials are considering hosting fund-raisers.

[Shadowkins]

R.I.P. Uso, you've earned your rest.