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SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT K-9 UNIT HAS RAISED ENOUGH MONEY FOR K-9 MEMORIAL

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s K9 Unit has commissioned Stone Bella of Modesto to design a memorial for their past four legged partners. The Sheriff’s Department first introduced K9’s to the force in 1981 with the original teams of Detective Lydell Wall and his K9 partner Si along with Sergeant Lloyd Allen and his K9 partner Bean. Thirty-two K9’s have followed in the paw-steps of the original K9’s. Of the thirty-two K9’s, nineteen have passed of natural causes. No Stanislaus Sheriff K9’s have died due to injuries received while on duty. Several years ago the K9 Unit began collecting funds to build a memorial for the past K9’s. The K9 Unit sold T-shirts and coins to raise money. The Unit first started with smaller designs. Then with a gracious donation from Gary Baird, they began looking at a bigger and grander memorial. The trouble was, finding someone to design the memorial that shared the Units vision.

Several companies were contacted, but did not seem interested. K9 Deputy Ballance said he knew Stone Bella, an architectural and monument designs business in Modesto, would be interested in designing their memorial after speaking with Frank Bradbury on the phone. Deputy Ballance met with the Bradbury’s at their business on Kearny Ave in Modesto. Several weeks later several designs were presented to the K9 Unit. The cost to build the memorial was double what the K9 Unit had raised. The Bradbury’s have donated the remaining amount to build the memorial.

The final design consists of a full size bronzed German Sheppard standing posed on a 4-foot by 4-foot by 8-foot block of black granite. A seven-point star will be carved through the side of the granite block. The names and photographs of the 19 passed K9’s will be engraved on brass plaques and placed on the face of the granite block. The German Sheppard will be patterned after Deputy Albers K9 partner Axel. The first photographs and measurements were taken. The Sheriff’s K9 Unit hopes to unveil the memorial in a few months. The public will be invited to the unveiling.

The K9 Unit and passed K9's Thank You.

K9 Ricky - Kevin Davis - German Sheppard - Oct. 01, 1993
K9 Benny - Sam Green - German Sheppard - Jun. 01, 2000
K9 Benny - Adam Christianson - German Sheppard
K9 Axxon - Brian Schopf - German Sheppard - Nov. 11, 2004
K9 Pepa - Barry Ballance - German Sheppard - Aug. 16, 2006
K9 Kivito - Brian Schopf - German Sheppard -
K9 Striker - Don Lewis - German Sheppard -
- Jane Irwin - German Sheppard -
K9 Coty - Lydell Wall - German Sheppard -
K9 Bino - Lydell Wall - German Sheppard -
K9 Pasca - Chuck Baba - German Sheppard -
K9 Auggie - Jon McQuery - German Sheppard -
K9 Zeus - Dan Holmes - German Sheppard -
K9 Beau - Lloyd Allen - German Sheppard -
K9 Klaus - Ken Hedrick - German Sheppard -
K9 Marco - Ken Keys - German Sheppard -
- Troy Phillips - German Sheppard -
- Paul Yotsua - German Sheppard -
K9 Ben - Tony Hinostroza - German Sheppard -

End of Watch: August 2006
Years of Service:
Partner: Deputy Ballance
Breed:

Incident Report submitted by Sgt. Adam Christianson

On January 21, 2004 Deputy Barry Balance and his K9 partner, Pepa responded to assist the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force who had located an occupied stolen vehicle. A short pursuit was initiated and quickly terminated as Deputy Ballance felt the conditions were too dangerous. The suspect driver continued on his dangerous path and struck an innocent motorist. Deputy Balance arrived to find the suspect driver, fleeing the scene of the accident on foot.

Deputy Ballance and Pepa gave chase. The suspect refused to stop or surrender even after being told that Pepa would be sent to apprehend him. Failing to comply, Pepa was directed to apprehend the fleeing driver. He followed the suspect into a nearby residential back yard and was able to grab the suspect by the ankle. This gave Barry a chance to take the suspect into custody but the tables turned when a pit bull, chained up in the back yard, was able to get close enough to engage Pepa. With Pepa holding the suspect, the pit bull attacked Pepa, biting him on the right rear leg. Pepa reacted by releasing the suspect to defend himself from the pit bull. Now, with both dogs locked in a fight, Barry had no choice but to let the suspect go and tried to save his partner.

Recognizing that it was not safe to fire his gun, Barry chose not to shoot the pit bull. Instead, he stepped in and separated the two dogs. Pepa turned and started after the suspect a second time but was unable to run and had to be carried back to the patrol car.

Additional arriving officers set up a perimeter and eventually the suspect was apprehended and booked on multiple felony counts.

Pepa was transported to Dr. Steve Baker’s office, the Veterinarian who cares for all six of the Sheriff’s Department K9’s. After being sedated, examined and x-rayed, Pepa was found to have sustained severe injury to tissue, muscle and bone. Fortunately, he recovered from his injuries and was able to return to full duty in after six weeks.

Deputy Ballance is deserving of recognition in this case for throughout the incident, he maintained a professional demeanor, stayed in control, and helped other officers catch the suspect driver, even though his partner was injured. We are glad that Pepa was able to return to work so soon. Barry and Pepa make a good team and represent the Sheriff’s Department in a manner we can all be proud of. Good Job!

Pepa was retired from patrol in 2005. After leaving the Sheriff 80 s Department, Pepa moved in Sgt. Fenn and his family. There he lived the happy life of a farm dog until he succumbed to cancer. Pepa is missed greatly by both families.


End of Watch: 2006
Years of Service:
Partner: Deputy Schopf
Breed:
"Punched, Choked, and Thrown Down A Ladder" Press Release issued 01/07/04 by PIO Kelly Huston

K9 BENNY

End of Watch: 2000
Years of Service:
Partner: Deputy Christianson
Breed:
Info:

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT K-9 UNIT HAS RAISED ENOUGH MONEY FOR K-9 MEMORIAL The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s K9 Unit has commissioned Stone Bella of Modesto to design a memorial for their past four legged partners. The Sheriff’s Department first introduced K9’s to the force in 1981 with the original teams of Detective Lydell Wall and his K9 partner Si along with Sergeant Lloyd Allen and his K9 partner Bean. Thirty-two K9’s have followed in the paw-steps of the original K9’s. Of the thirty-two K9’s, nineteen have passed of natural causes. No Stanislaus Sheriff K9’s have died due to injuries received while on duty. Several years ago the K9 Unit began collecting funds to build a memorial for the past K9’s. The K9 Unit sold T-shirts and coins to raise money. The Unit first started with smaller designs. Then with a gracious donation from Gary Baird, they began looking at a bigger and grander memorial. The trouble was, finding someone to design the memorial that shared the Units vision. Several companies were contacted, but did not seem interested. K9 Deputy Ballance said he knew Stone Bella, an architectural and monument designs business in Modesto, would be interested in designing their memorial after speaking with Frank Bradbury on the phone. Deputy Ballance met with the Bradbury’s at their business on Kearny Ave in Modesto. Several weeks later several designs were presented to the K9 Unit. The cost to build the memorial was double what the K9 Unit had raised. The Bradbury’s have donated the remaining amount to build the memorial. The final design consists of a full size bronzed German Sheppard standing posed on a 4-foot by 4-foot by 8-foot block of black granite. A seven-point star will be carved through the side of the granite block. The names and photographs of the 19 passed K9’s will be engraved on brass plaques and placed on the face of the granite block. The German Sheppard will be patterned after Deputy Albers K9 partner Axel. The first photographs and measurements were taken. The Sheriff’s K9 Unit hopes to unveil the memorial in a few months. The public will be invited to the unveiling. The K9 Unit and passed K9's Thank You.
K9 Ricky - Kevin Davis - German Sheppard - Oct. 01, 1993 K9 Benny - Sam Green - German Sheppard - Jun. 01, 2000 K9 Benny - Adam Christianson - German Sheppard K9 Axxon - Brian Schopf - German Sheppard - Nov. 11, 2004 K9 Pepa - Barry Ballance - German Sheppard - Aug. 16, 2006 K9 Kivito - Brian Schopf - German Sheppard - K9 Striker - Don Lewis - German Sheppard - - Jane Irwin - German Sheppard - K9 Coty - Lydell Wall - German Sheppard - K9 Bino - Lydell Wall - German Sheppard - K9 Pasca - Chuck Baba - German Sheppard - K9 Auggie - Jon McQuery - German Sheppard - K9 Zeus - Dan Holmes - German Sheppard - K9 Beau - Lloyd Allen - German Sheppard - K9 Klaus - Ken Hedrick - German Sheppard - K9 Marco - Ken Keys - German Sheppard - - Troy Phillips - German Sheppard - - Paul Yotsua - German Sheppard - K9 Ben - Tony Hinostroza - German Sheppard -
End of Watch: August 2006 Years of Service: Partner: Deputy Ballance Breed: Incident Report submitted by Sgt. Adam Christianson On January 21, 2004 Deputy Barry Balance and his K9 partner, Pepa responded to assist the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force who had located an occupied stolen vehicle. A short pursuit was initiated and quickly terminated as Deputy Ballance felt the conditions were too dangerous. The suspect driver continued on his dangerous path and struck an innocent motorist. Deputy Balance arrived to find the suspect driver, fleeing the scene of the accident on foot. Deputy Ballance and Pepa gave chase. The suspect refused to stop or surrender even after being told that Pepa would be sent to apprehend him. Failing to comply, Pepa was directed to apprehend the fleeing driver. He followed the suspect into a nearby residential back yard and was able to grab the suspect by the ankle. This gave Barry a chance to take the suspect into custody but the tables turned when a pit bull, chained up in the back yard, was able to get close enough to engage Pepa. With Pepa holding the suspect, the pit bull attacked Pepa, biting him on the right rear leg. Pepa reacted by releasing the suspect to defend himself from the pit bull. Now, with both dogs locked in a fight, Barry had no choice but to let the suspect go and tried to save his partner. Recognizing that it was not safe to fire his gun, Barry chose not to shoot the pit bull. Instead, he stepped in and separated the two dogs. Pepa turned and started after the suspect a second time but was unable to run and had to be carried back to the patrol car. Additional arriving officers set up a perimeter and eventually the suspect was apprehended and booked on multiple felony counts. Pepa was transported to Dr. Steve Baker’s office, the Veterinarian who cares for all six of the Sheriff’s Department K9’s. After being sedated, examined and x-rayed, Pepa was found to have sustained severe injury to tissue, muscle and bone. Fortunately, he recovered from his injuries and was able to return to full duty in after six weeks. Deputy Ballance is deserving of recognition in this case for throughout the incident, he maintained a professional demeanor, stayed in control, and helped other officers catch the suspect driver, even though his partner was injured. We are glad that Pepa was able to return to work so soon. Barry and Pepa make a good team and represent the Sheriff’s Department in a manner we can all be proud of. Good Job! Pepa was retired from patrol in 2005. After leaving the Sheriff 80 s Department, Pepa moved in Sgt. Fenn and his family. There he lived the happy life of a farm dog until he succumbed to cancer. Pepa is missed greatly by both families.

End of Watch: 2006 Years of Service: Partner: Deputy Schopf Breed: "Punched, Choked, and Thrown Down A Ladder" Press Release issued 01/07/04 by PIO Kelly Huston A member of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department met his match early Monday morning when he cornered a burglary suspect. The 4-year veteran was punched, chocked in a headlock, thrown down a ladder and dragged across a cement driveway before he finally subdued his man. It all began with an alarm call around 1:00 am at the Safe T Lite store on Emerald Avenue in Modesto. When deputies showed up they saw a man drop some tools and flee over a back fence. That’s when Deputy Brian Schopf was quick to find the man hiding in the backyard of a nearby home. “I saw the guy crouching down between a storage shed and a wheelbarrow,” said Schopf. Schopf ordered the suspect to show his hands and lay down on the ground until other deputies could arrive. But before he knew it, the suspect jumped at Schopf. “He popped up and came right at me,” said Schopf. That’s when the deputy’s 80-pound German Shepard partner “Kivito” stepped in. Kivito grabbed a hold of the suspect’s arm while Schopf tried to gain control. The suspect climbed up a ladder with Kivito hanging on to his leg. “He was trying to drag the dog with him,” said Schopf. The suspect threw Kivito to the ground and crushed the canine when he fell on top of him while trying to scramble away from the deputy’s grasp. As the suspect managed to run towards to front of the house, Kivito was on him once again. “The dog caught him at the driveway and knocked him down,” said Schopf. “Once they were on the ground he got Kivito in a head lock and tried to choke him out.” The suspect, determined to get away, slipped from Kivito’s hold a second time and fled down Lone Palm Avenue. Kivito caught back up to him again, knocking the suspect down in some bushes and pinning him until deputies gained control and arrested their man. “The dog took a beating,” said Schopf. “When we caught up to them in the bushes, Kivito didn’t want to let go.” In the end, deputies booked 21-year-old Nicholas Joseph Davidson of Modesto on charges of maliciously injuring a police dog and theft, resisting arrest, and escape from the Honor Farm on Christmas Eve. Kivito was carefully checked by deputies after the incident and didn’t show any visible injuries or signs of pain. Of the approximately 100 suspect arrests by Kivito during his four years as a Sheriff’s canine, this was only the second time he actually had to bite a suspect. “He was more mad than anything,” said Schopf.

K9 BENNY End of Watch: 2000 Years of Service: Partner: Deputy Christianson Breed: Info: