Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I did an assignment for my GAVC Criminal Justice class on K9 Duke. We had to research an officer who got killed in the line of duty and do a presentation. I appreciate his service in protecting the community and it is heartbreaking to see what he got in return for serving his community.

Zaylee Klinker
GAVC Criminal Justice student

October 25, 2023

My cousin, a retired sheriff deputy , donated this dog to the department in memory of my dad, Duke. Officer Ed Couch served many years.

Richard Desimone
Cousin

October 23, 2023

The First & The Last

The first to sense the hostility of a suspect,
The first to react to protect his master,
The first to enter where danger lurks,
The first to detect the hidden intruder.
The first to take action against violence.
The first to sense his master’s joy.
The first to know his master’s sorrow or fear.
The first to give his life in defense of his master.
The last to be forgotten by those who work with others like him.
They know him as a “Partner”, not just an animal.

- Author unknown -

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

October 19, 2023

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office offers our condolences to your department on the loss of K9 Duke, whose career as a whole -- and especially his final selfless act in the line of duty -- saved lives! All of us, especially our K9 division, recognize the important service provided by police K9 partners, and we honor K9 Duke's ultimate sacrifice in service to your community.

Liane Johnson, #53-66
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Indiana
U.S.A.

June 9, 2023

RIP K9 Duke. Thank you for your service to the citizens of San Joaquin County

Lieutenant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police
Boston, Ma. 02120

March 29, 2023

Thank you for your service K9 Duke. May you run free in Heaven where you will continue to watch us from above. Thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice. Justice will be served. Good boy Duke.

Micaela Smith
First responder Corpus Christi Texas

March 16, 2023

R.I.P. Duke - the goodest of all german shepherd bois. Your legacy will carry on and you will be missed. Thank you for your service.

Stephanie
Oak Grove Police Department - KY

March 5, 2023

As a former K9 Officer the lose of your partner hurts as much as losing a human partner. May God be with his handler and human partners in the lose of this brave K9. He is playing in Heaven with his other K9s. RIP Duke.

Kevin
Retired Federal Officer

March 4, 2023

RIP Duke

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service (Retired)

March 2, 2023

Rest in Peace K9 Duke. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the handler and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

February 25, 2023

RIP Duke

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service (Retired)

February 22, 2023

K9 Duke cross over the Rainbow Bridge and enjoy running and playing with the other fallen heroes who gave their lives to save officers and the public.

Private Citizen Kathryn Felts
Mother of & Family Member of Law Enforcement

February 21, 2023

Fly with the angels Officer Duke into God’s loving arms. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. Happy Tails to you Duke in Heaven.

Ana Maria Cerrudo
Until They All Have A Home Rescue

February 21, 2023

Lord God of unfailing love, to those families of our beloved nation, the United States of America, who are suffering in the wake of the loss of a Law Enforcement K-9 family member in the Line-of-Duty, help us to provide support. Allow us to be their rock and fortress in a time of immense pain and uncertainty. Help us to keep them safe and nourished in their time of grief, suffering beside them as we move toward healing and reconciliation. Lord God, in Your compassionate mercy, hear my prayer. Amen.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4 ESV]

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” [Matthew 25:23 ESV]

Rev. Dr. Steven R. Closs, D.Div, M.SBS, B.SBS
Ordained Christian Global Outreach Minister No. 36526
Independent Outreach Christian Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 21, 2023

K-9 Duke, When will the Lord meter out justice against the evil that took your precious life? It is too painful to think of the your suffering and impossible to understand how it fits into God's great plan. Your stellar career on earth can be seen now if the heavens, reflected in the star reserved for you from the beginning of time. Can you send a thought to your partner's heart that you are basking in the heavens with your fellow K-9 heroes?

Susan King
Civilian Supporter, Michigan

February 20, 2023

I am sad to learn of the passing of a hero in K9 Duke. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings, Comfort and Peace to his Handler, Family and all Members of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, California.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

February 20, 2023

Thank you for your courageous commitment to serving your community and partner Officers, Duke.

Investigator Michael Rokaitis
Modesto Police Department

February 20, 2023

Rest In Peace K9 Duke Thank you for your service to your community. Condolences to his families those he lived with and protected and those he worked with and protected.

Civilian Dee Beltz
Civilian

February 20, 2023

Rest In Peace! Thank You For Your Service!

Pedro Rodriguez; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

February 20, 2023