Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour addresses the audience during the dedication ceremony for the new K9 memorial. (PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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Local law enforcement K9s and their handlers were on hand for the ceremony.

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — It was a dog day morning at the Niagara County Sheriff's Office for the official unveiling and dedication at 9:30 a.m. of the K9 Memorial — a tribute to K9 police partners that have died in the line of duty.

The new memorial was made possible by many area businesses, according to Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, who said that not only was enough money raised for the memorial, but there was some left over for supplies for the K9 unit and $5,000 towards a fund for a new K9 for the Lewiston Police Department.

Sheriff Voutour said, "it is important to not only remember our fallen officers but we need to honor our K9 partners that served faithfully and some that made the ultimate sacrifice."

Currently the memorial has the name of one K9 who died in the line of duty in Niagara County. K9 Rocky died on Dec. 4, 2011 as he and his handler Deputy Craig Beiter were conducting a building search in the City of Niagara Falls. During the search, Rocky, entered the roof area of the six-floor building and was checking for suspects. Rocky leaped over a 3 foot retaining wall, falling about 60 feet onto a parking lot.

Sgt. James Hildreth, whose wife designed the memorial, discussed the importance of the K9 program and its history in Niagara County. The NCSO Honor Guard presented colors to begin the ceremony, followed by an invocation by Rev. Alex True, who also did the benediction to close the ceremony.

History of the Sheriff's Office K-9 Division

In 1962, Bill Tolhurst introduced the Sheriff's Office to the Canine program with his bloodhound, "Cleo." Through his instruction and guidance, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office Canine Division was established in March, 1998 with a single full-time canine team.

Due to the overwhelming success and increased calls for canine service, a second canine was added in 2005, and a third in 2012. In addition to the three full-time working canine teams, the unit is supplemented by two special deputies who work part-time on various assignments.

The canines and their handlers have completed a rigorous and thorough training program through the State of New York — Bureau of Municipal Police. The Sheriff's Office police dogs are proficient in narcotic, accelerant, and bomb detection, as well as tracking and criminal apprehension.

The Canine Division primarily supports the patrol division, however, the dogs are frequently called to participate in special operations including: high-risk service calls, narcotics operations, crowd control, dignitary protection, interdiction operations and any other situation where a police dog would assist in officer and public safety while apprehending dangerous criminals or locating illicit drugs. 

More photos from the K9 Memorial Dedication ceremony can be found here.

Local law enforcement officials were in the audience for the morning ceremony.

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