Working dogs are the best of the best.
Posted on 05/18/2004 9:55:23 PM PDT by ambrose
Officers mourn police dog who took a bullet, saved a life
May 18, 2004
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Gero gave his life for his fellow officers.
The 5-year-old German shepherd was shot in the line of duty when he took a bullet meant for policewoman Geraldine Earthman and fellow officer Eric Janusz.
The two officers were responding to a call for help at an apartment building May 6 when police said John Martin Martinez came out a window firing. The policedog darted in front of the officers, who had no cover.
''He saw the threat and went towards it. He went directly in front of us and saved our lives,'' Janusz said.
Martinez was shot in the arm, went back inside the building and killed himself, police said.
On Saturday, Gero was remembered at a full-dress funeral that reduced officers to tears. Officers came from all over the state, wearing black ribbons. Earthman, his handler, cradled his ashes briefly.
Fire trucks crossed their ladders and hung an American flag in front of the Canyon View Vineyard Church.
The dog was remembered as an animal who loved to bite.
''I'm going to miss being afraid of him,'' officer Lincoln Folkers said.
AP
I'm glad they honored the dog like that.
Working dogs are the best of the best.
I have 4 dogs here, and every one of them would do the same thing: If they see a threat to me (or G-d forbid, a child) they go full bore towards whatever poses the danger.
It's what dogs do. That's why G-d put them here, to aid and protect us, not just companionship.
''I'm going to miss being afraid of him,'' officer Lincoln Folkers said.
:-)
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