Palatine police dog sidelined by officer's Afghanistan duty
The war in Afghanistan is breaking the tie between a man and his dog, leading to early retirement for the Palatine police department's first K-9 police dog.
"I wish I could bring Crow with me," Palatine police officer Patrick Johnson said. "It's going to be sad and disappointing."
Johnson is being sent to Afghanistan for a year with the Illinois Army National Guard Military Police. Crow, a German shepherd, will retire Wednesday.
Crow, who lives with Johnson and his family, will turn 9 next month. By the time Johnson returns, the dog will be around the age when most K-9 officers retire. And since Johnson and Crow have been a unit for about eight years, the dog would not be successful with any other handler, Johnson said.
"It's a bond that a lot of people don't understand unless you're a K-9 handler, and that bond goes a lot deeper than having the dog as a pet," Johnson said. "You put your faith into your K-9 partner and he always followed through, never letting you down."
Crow and Johnson have worked together to find lost children, recover drugs and guns, search buildings and disperse crowds. They've been called upon not only in Palatine, but in nearby towns including Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Buffalo Grove.
"He was the greatest partner I had, always willing to do a good job for you," Johnson said. "Every day he'd watch out for me, and vice versa."
Johnson and "Officer Crow," as local kids called him, often visited schools and led safety demonstrations. This resonated with students at Winston Campus School in Palatine, who in 2002 raised $600 to buy Crow his own bulletproof vest.
Crow "bridged the gap between the community and the police department," said police Cmdr. Kurt Schroeder.
Johnson's wife Sharon said she could tell Crow enjoyed his job.
"Dogs like to have jobs," she said. "He loves to work. It's just in him. He'd rather be working than at home."
When he is at home, Crow's just a regular dog.
"He's very well taken care of at home," Patrick Johnson said. "He's a member of our family."
Patrick Johnson and Crow went through extensive training: The two attended eight weeks of classes at TOPS Kennel in Grayslake, where they learned to work as a team and perform police duties. They returned for additional training on a regular basis.
Johnson "is a class act," said David Knouse, basic training program director at TOPS. "He knows his stuff, and he doesn't forget it."
Johnson leaves for training for Afghanistan on Aug. 25. When he returns, he'll go back to the police force without his furry friend, who will, however, continue to live witht the Johnsons.
"The police department was gracious enough to allow me to be the first K-9 handler, and I appreciate all the people involved in making that come true," he said. "It was one of the best moments in my career."
Schroeder said the police department plans to have at least one new K-9 unit in the fall. Though K-9 units are expensive with the cost of the dog, training, a specially outfitted car and equipment, Schroeder said the department feels it's worth the cost.
"They've had a positive effect on the community, saving somebody, arresting somebody, teaching people how to deal with dogs," Sharon Johnson said of Crow and her husband. "We're so proud of them."