Policeman Writes a Touching Letter to His Late K-9 Partner

A beloved police dog named Chase passed away yesterday in Slidell, Louisiana, where he served for nearly a decade. To pay tribute, the Slidell Police Department released the above video on its Facebook page, along with this beautiful letter penned by Chase’s handler, Sgt. Chris Newman:

Dear Chase,

We met in April of 2003 and became a Certified Dog Team together in May of 2003. Since then, we’ve spent almost every day of our lives together whether at home or at work.
In the very beginning, neither one of us quite knew what we were doing, but it didn’t take long to figure it out. From the first day in that canine vehicle all you ever wanted to do was work. You were way more excited about going to work than I ever was!!

On the days we would work, all of the other police officers knew you were on duty anytime I keyed up my radio. It was never quiet while you were in that canine vehicle. There were numerous days that all I wished for was some peace and quiet, but on the days you couldn’t come to work, I missed having you there.

You were serious about your job and feared nothing, but you also knew how to just be a dog. You lived in our backyard and in our house and I never feared you around my, or should I say, YOUR FAMILY. Reagan (daughter) came into our lives and you accepted and protected her. Shannon (wife) would feed you and give you attention. You would jump on her and get her dirty before she went to work (I always found humor in that)!
There was also Simba, Dakota and Comet (our other dogs). Although Simba didn’t care for you much, Dakota and Comet enjoyed having you around to play with. All of our neighbors loved having you around and always wanted to hear stories about the things we had accomplished.

Speaking of accomplishments, I can’t be more proud of the things we’ve done together. From the apprehension of over 20 criminals to the detection of pounds of illegal narcotics, it will be something I remember for a lifetime. We’ve assisted numerous outside agencies including, Pearl River Police Department, Bogalusa Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sherriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Marshal Service. We’ve provided education and demonstrations to thousands of children in schools, day cares, summer camps and also hundreds of adults in car clubs, church groups, Rotary Clubs, police academy classes etc.

Upon my promotion to Sergeant and your retirement, in January of 2013, I knew it was perfect timing. As much as I knew you still wanted to work, physically it wasn’t in your best interest. At first you didn’t know why I continued to go to work without you. After several weeks you accepted your new role and enjoyed chasing squirrels in the back yard full time. As the months and years went by we could see your daily activities slowed. Numerous medicines, injections and laser treatments just could not reverse father time.

I’ve thought about this day for a long time and always knew it wouldn’t be easy. I wanted to thank you for being my partner and my friend. Most of all, thank you for always “protecting your daddy”.

Your handler, partner and daddy,

Chris

I can’t express in words how much Dr. Michael Edwards and his entire staff at Pontchartrain Animal Hospital has done for Chase and I for all these years!!!

I would also like to thank Roger Abshire (US K9 Unlimited), and the Slidell Police Department K9 Handlers Chase and I worked alongside of: John Gallaher, Kevin Simon, Shawn Maddox, Jason Bettis, Michael Rice, Kevin Rea, Joe McMahan, and Clint McCall.

Chase served bravely and honorably, and it is a credit to the Slidell Police Department that they have celebrated Chase’s life and service in such a public, heartfelt way.

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Sgt. Chris Newman and Chase.
Photo courtesy Slidell Police Department, via nola.com