Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You have served your partner well my friend. Your loyalty and bravery has been unmatched. Now go and run the green fields of heaven. You have earned the rest. You will not be forgotten. Instead, you will now find your place in the rich history of United States law enforcement. Thank you for your service.

Doug Gist, Captain (retired)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Director, Silver State National Peace Officers Museum

December 13, 2012

We ask so much of our K9 partners, for so little in return. He died a hero, and would do the same thing over and over again if faced with the same situation. RIP Ivan... God Bless... To his handler- you're a hero too.... Keep fighting the fight.

Sgt Randy Diegel, K9 Unit
Eastpointe Police Department

December 13, 2012

Rest in peace K9 Ivan. My sincere condolences to your partner and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Thanks for your service Terry F. Zech(ret) MA1 USN MWD Handler.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VETERAN AFFAIRS PD DETROIT, MICHIGAN

December 13, 2012

Thank You for your service and protection!

MBPD

December 13, 2012

"JUST A DOG
Author - Unknown

You say I'm "Just a Dog" then why would it be,
if you spell my name backwards god is what you see
I have many jobs, one is protecting your life
or making sure your family's safe
when that prowler is out at night
I would chase down any man who hurt someone,
I would protect you with my life until my job is done
I search for drugs in many different places,
I can pick them out of anything
even though they come in many different phases
I can sniff out a bomb that might be in your child's school,
I would risk being blown up to make sure
your child comes home to you
If you're hurt in the woods or just lost and scared
I will search as long as it takes
to make sure your life is spared
I am loyal to my master for they are first in my eyes,
I will always stand beside them
for we are partners till I die
Of all these jobs that I do,
my most important is protecting you,
protecting your life with the risk of losing mine
even though I have never met you
So after all these things that you read,
tell me when you look into my eyes is
"Just a Dog" all you see?

J Shultz
former police officer

December 13, 2012

God bless K9 Ivan's family, friends and coworkers and give them strength and peace to get through their grief and pain. Thank you for your service Ivan.

Sergeant Clark O. Parry
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, New York

December 13, 2012

God Bless you Ivan for you have made the ultimate sacrifice to Protect and Serve. I pray that you arrive at Heavens Gate soon to meet all your fellow Heroic K9's that have gone before you. My you RIP. You will always be remembered!
"Where Angels Fear to Fly, K9 Leads the Way!"

Officer Frank A Yevchak Jr.
Upper Saddle River Police, NJ Retired

December 13, 2012

Rest in Peace, Ivan. Your service, dedication and love of the job will be remembered while you wait at Rainbow Bridge. I leave you with the following. Though I know K9s aren't usually considered pets, but this still applies.

Animals never belong to us; they pass through our lives on journeys of their own.
They ask no more of us than that we love them and let them go on in dignity and peace.
Animals come and go with lessons to learn and lessons to teach.
So, we love them and learn.
We accept the pain of their going as we received the joy of their coming
All of it is a blessing.

Victim Advocate
Greenville NC Police Department

December 13, 2012

Thank you, Ivan, for your dedication and faithful service. You will be sorely missed as you were a cherished member of our agency. One of our association members said it best, "RIP K9 Ivan. No doubt there are police officers alive tonight because of your actions."

Tucson Police Officers Association

December 13, 2012

What a great service Ivan had provided keeping officer's safe every day, especially the amazing sacrifice he made for his handler. K9 deaths seem to be on the rise and its truly unfortunate. Prayers to his handler and the law enforcement family he served with.

Ofc. S.Ginn
RRPD

December 13, 2012

God Bless you & your handler.

James P. Waggle
Civilian

December 13, 2012

Thank You for your dedication and commitment to serving the public. This a tragic loss for the Law Enforcement Community. The price of service is too often sacrifice.

State Chief Ranger Jon Young
U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management

December 13, 2012

K9 Ivan, may you rest in peace. You're a true hero. Good boy.

Sgt Rich Eckert
Town of Chester PD

December 13, 2012

Our thoughts are with the men and women who have grown close to and worked with this special member of your agency.

Supervisory FAM, Thomas Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 13, 2012

Thank you for your service and dedication K9 Ivan!! Your work here is done!!

Shirley Odom
Aunt of Fallen Hero-Officer John Logan

December 13, 2012

You are a Hero. Now go and run in the fields of green with all those who went before you. Thoughts and prayers for you all your LEO family. May you watch over the K9 that takes over your job and guide and keep him and your Master safe.

Wife of Us Park Police Detective

December 13, 2012

You are a Hero, Ivan, and I salute you. Rest well

Civilian- Cathy Wiggins
Mobile Police Department- Former Dispatcher

December 13, 2012

A tremendous loss to the law enforcement community and to the community K9 Ivan served.

In memory of K9 Ivan

"JUST A DOG
Author - Unknown

You say I'm "Just a Dog" then why would it be,
if you spell my name backwards god is what you see
I have many jobs, one is protecting your life
or making sure your family's safe
when that prowler is out at night
I would chase down any man who hurt someone,
I would protect you with my life until my job is done
I search for drugs in many different places,
I can pick them out of anything
even though they come in many different phases
I can sniff out a bomb that might be in your child's school,
I would risk being blown up to make sure
your child comes home to you
If you're hurt in the woods or just lost and scared
I will search as long as it takes
to make sure your life is spared
I am loyal to my master for they are first in my eyes,
I will always stand beside them
for we are partners till I die
Of all these jobs that I do,
my most important is protecting you,
protecting your life with the risk of losing mine
even though I have never met you
So after all these things that you read,
tell me when you look into my eyes is
"Just a Dog" all you see?

Lieutenant Phillip Kincaid
Gulfport Police Department

December 13, 2012

Thank you K9 Ivan for your service.
May you RIP and may your memories comfort your partner and handler. Our prayers to you LEO family and most of all to your Human Handler.
You do things that most humans would never do and do it without a second thought. FOR that you are a Braveheart! ("") ("") Paws up always!

Patti Olesen
Founder: Vest Indiana and Ohio K9s

December 13, 2012

RIP Ivan. Your Bravery will never be forgotten! May god be with your family during this hard time.

Tpr. J. Curlee #504
Georgia State Patrol

December 13, 2012

Ivan is a hero who most likely took a bullet meant for his handler. My heart goes out to his handler and to the Tucson Police Department for their loss.

Barbara Malone

December 13, 2012

Our deepest sympathy goes out to your officer and your department. We are so sorry to hear about your K-9 cop losing his life. Blessings and prayers are sent from Orlando.

Dawn Cuice
Family of Law Enforcement Officiers

December 13, 2012

Rest in Peace K-9 Ivan. Thank you for your brave service. My condolence's to your handler during this difficult time.

Chief Jack Cavanaugh
Lee County Port Authority Police

December 13, 2012

Thank you K9 Ivan for your bravery and heroism. I'm sure you made your owner proud. May you rest in eternal peace...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

December 13, 2012

K9 Ivan, Thank You for your dedicated service to your community. You are a true hero and will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your Department and most importantly, your partner. Rest in peace!

James W. Moore, Interim Chief of Police
Gardner, KS Police Dept.

December 13, 2012