2001 Criminalistics Awards

2001 Second Quarter — Patrol Nominees

Region 1 Officer Robert Thomas and K9 Zeus, Boynton Beach, FL Police Department

Region 2 Officer Davis Dallas and K9 Eddy, Maggie Valley, NC Police Department

Region 3 Officer Paul Corridean and K9 Jumber, Mount Rainer, MD Police Department

Region 6 Officer John Slavin and K9 Duke, Cheltenham Township, PA Police Department

Region 7 Officer Robert Knoth and K9 Nero, New Paltz, NY Police Department

Region 8 Deputy Brian Kilgore and K9 Brute, Sullivan County, TN Sheriff's Department

Region 9 Warden Wayde Carter and K9 Buddy, Maine Warden Service

Region 13 Officer Joe Shelton and K9 Chico and Officer Scott Wilder and K9 Emir, Metro Nashville, TN

Region 14 Officer Arpad Bality and K9 Dusty, Lonemont, CO. Police Department

Region 16 PO Joseph Dobbs and K9 Indoe, St. Louis, MO Police Department

Region 18 Lt. Gene Grave and K9 Smokey, Red Wing, MN Police Department

Region 19 Officer Randy Adams and K9 Quince, Wyoming, MI Police Department

Region 24 Officer Diana Szumlas and K9 Nero, Forest Preserve District Cook County IL

Region 26 Deputy Doug McArthur and K9 Dak, Jackson County, MS Sheriff's Department

2001 Second Quarter — Patrol Winner

Officer Robert Thomas and K9 Zeus – Boynton Beach, FL

In the ear1y morning hours of May 20, 2001 0620 hours Officer Robert Thomas & K-9 Zeus responded to an alarm of a family owned Drug Store in the City Of Boynton Beach. Upon their arrival a perimeter was established. The front door of the business was standing open and there was a vacant vehicle parked in front of the building. As they have done hundreds of times before Officer Thomas made his usual K-9 Announcement. "This is the Boynton Beach Police K-9 Unit. Come Out or I'll release My Police Dog". Hearing no response Zeus was deployed. Within minutes Zeus alerted to a rear closet door.

Once again the K~9 announcement was given and again there was no response. At this point Officer Thomas had to open the door to check the inside. Giving up cover, he had to reach the doorknob to allow Zeus to enter the closet. As he turned the knob a single shot from a 357 was fired from within the closet, through the door striking Thomas in the right hand and then hitting him in the right side. Zeus immediately pushed the door open and engaged the suspect apprehending him in the groin area. allowing Thomas time to retreat. Officer Thomas was able to return three shots as he retreated to cover. Officer Thomas's back up Officer Stewart Steele was able to assist Thomas in exiting the building.

While retreating Thomas called for Zeus to return to him. The suspect fired two additional shots. Zeus was unable to return to Thomas as the door, which opened inward, slammed shut when Zeus engaged the suspect. Officer Thomas was rushed to the Hospital for medical treatment while Zeus's condition remained unknown.

The SWAT team responded, after 1 hour passed and there was no response from Zeus it was determined to tear gas the suspect out and utilize the SWAT team to enter the building. Unfortunately, the tear gas ignited the building and the building became fully engulfed with fire. The SWAT team had to exit the building and wait until the fire was extinguished.

It was later found that Zeus died of carbon monoxide poisoning. When the suspect tired the two shots they believed it was an attempt to kill Zeus. However, both shots missed Zeus and one of his own bullets struck him in the head fatality wounding him. It was later found that the suspect intended to kill a police officer.

Follow up investigation found that several of the suspect's friends stated that he wanted to kill a cop. The suspect didn't expect to encounter Zeus. An internal affairs investigation found that there is no doubt that K-9 Zeus saved the life of both his handler and Officer Steele. Zeus died doing what he was trained to do. Zeus was truly a hero and as such I would like to nominate him for the CRIMINALISTICS^â„¢ EXCELLENCE AWARDS.

2001 Second Quarter — Detector Nominees

Region 1 Trooper Michael Van Leer and K9 Goose, Florida Highway Patrol

Region 2 Officer Stewart Newton and K9 Sammy, Wilmington, NC Police Department

Region 3 Corrections Officer First Class Michael Bunn and K9 Dino, Frederick County, MD Sheriff's Office

Region 6 Officer Larry Love and K9 Zeus, Philadelphia, PA Police Department

Region 7 Officer VanEtten and K9 Clint, Kingston, NY Police Department

Region 8 PSO Eric Dougherty and K9 Jerry, Johnson City, TN Police Department

Region 13 Sgt. Adam Barnes and K9 Solomon, Hohenwald, TN Police Department

Region 16 PO Michael Roth and K9 Bak, St. Louis, MO Police Department

Region 18 Trooper Darren Juntunen and K9 Pasja, Minnesota State Police

Region 19 Officer Randy Adams and K9 Quince, Wyoming, MI Police Department

Region 21 Deputy Mark Herbst and K9 AJ, Black Hawk County, IA Sheriff's Office

Region 24 Sgt. Emmett Burke and K9 Rizzo, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, IL

Region 26 Officer James O'Neal and K9 Tod-e, Lucedale, MS Police Department

2001 Second Quarter — Detector — Winner

Trooper Michael R. Van Leer &p K9 Goose
Florida Highway Patrol – Troop K
West Palm Beach

On June 28. 2001, at approximately 9:25 AM, two 1997 Buick vehicles, were observed traveling northbound on SR 91 (Florida Turnpike) at the area of the 98 milepost in Palm Beach County, Florida.

As the lead vehicle black in color observed my location it immediately accelerated over the posted speed limit. The second vehicle, which was white in color, slowed immediately. Based on my observations, the Black in color car was a "blocker" for the white in color vehicle. As I made a traffic stop for unlawful speed on the white vehicle which was registered from the state of Texas, I observed the black in color vehicle slow and continued to travel northbound on SR 91. I made contact with the driver who resided from El Paso, Texas. He provided a trip itinerary stating he was on vacation in the Miami area for one week and was returning to El Paso. As I wrote out the citation, he was observed reading a newspaper. I conducted an EPIC check and arrest history check on the driver. Information obtained about the driver revealed an arrest in Columbia for trafficking 265.000 tablets of Quaaludes, and was traveling frequently in an out of the United States from Columbia during the past month.

Upon confronting the driver about these facts, he showed some signs of nervousness and stated I could search his car if I wanted. I granted his wish and read consent to search form to him which he signed. I then removed K-9 Goose, a trained Labrador retriever from my marked Patrol unit. As I placed K-9 Goose into the starting sequence position at the right rear trunk of the Buick, I observed a demeanor change in K-9 Goose. K-9 Goose began to trace the trunk seam while in the sitting position. Upon giving the command to seek, K-9 Goose stood and immediately alerted by sitting.

I tried to move K-9 Goose to the rear compartment doors of the vehicle, hut K-9 Goose remained seated tracing drug odor along the trunk seam. K-9 Goose then stood on two legs and began to air scent with his nose. I then moved to the right rear passengers door and allowed K~9 Goose to enter the rear compartment of the vehicle. K-9 Goose began to trace high along the rear seat deck area below the rear windshield. K-9 Goose traced low along the rear seat then up to the rear seat center armrest where he alerted by sitting. K-9 Goose then showed me the drug source by punching the rear armrest with is nose.

Upon pulling the center armrest down, I observed a hinge below the armrest, which was not a manufacture installation, and showed signs of an electronic compartment. I then moved to the rear trunk area removing the carpet, which concealed the rear sent, Upon doing this, a hand painted piece of metal was observed which restricted the view of the rear seat. The driver was placed under arrest, and the vehicle towed to FHP Headquarters.

Upon removing the rear seats of the vehicle, an electronic compartment was observed between the rear seat and trunk. Attempts to access the compartment using the electronics were futile. Upon removing the hinged door, 28 bundles of US Currency wrapped in aluminum foil and duct tape were observed. A total inventory of the currency totaled $305,000.00.

The driver of the vehicle denied any knowledge of the money or about the hidden compartment within his vehicle. Subsequently the 1997 Buick Perk Avenue was seized by the FHP and the driver was released.

Information obtained by the US Customs Service revealed the black 1997 Buick which was observed as a "blocker" vehicle had $350,000.00 in US Currency seized from that vehicle two weeks prior in the Chicago, Illinois area

2001 First Quarter — Patrol — Nominees

Region 1 Deputy Todd Hayes and K9 Mika, Leon County, Fl Sheriff's Office

Region 2 Officer Al Crouse and K9 Caesar, Wilson NC Police Department

Region 3 Deputy Ron Hibbard and K9 Kilo, Frederick County MD Sheriff's Office

Region 12 Officer Steve Palmquist and K9 Dini Brooklyn Park MN Police Department

Region 13 Officer Mark Webb and K9 Maxx and Officer Michael Hackney and K9 Atlas Metropolitan Nashville, TN Police Department

Region 14 Officer Rob Kelley and K9 Andy Colorado Springs CO Police Department

Region 16 Officer Dan Wunder and K9 Danny O'Fallon IL Police Department

Region 18 Officer David Pavlak and K9 Buster St. Paul MN Police Department

Region 26 Officer Mark Brewer and K9 Rex Laurel MS Police Department

2001 First Quarter — Patrol — Winner

Officer Al Crouse AND K9 Caeser — Wilson, NC

On February 6, 2001 while on routine patrol in the city of Wilson, North Carolina at 2300 hours I was request to head to Kenly, NC in reference to an armed robbery that just occurred at an Exon Service Station.

A black male had entered the Exon station around 2245, waited for everyone to leave and then approached the clerk at the register and demanded all the money in the cash register. The suspect never showed the clerk a gun but had his hand in his jacket pocket like he had a gun. The clerk gave the suspect all the money in the cash register and then he ran out the door. A Kenly Police Officer who was close to the Exon responded to the area. While checking the area the Kenly Officer observed a black male who met the description of the robbery suspect. The black male observed the Kenly Officer and started to run. The Kenly Officer started a foot chase with the suspect. While running through a mobile home park the Kenly Officer fell down, the suspect kept running. I arrived on the scene around 2325 and Sgt Parker showed me the place the suspect was last scene.

The last location the suspect was last scene was crossing the road a Darden and Goldsboro Street. I deployed K9 Caesar in the intersection. Caesar located a scent and followed it through a car parking lot heading west. Caesar crossed the parking lot and into a wooded area. We went through the wooded area and up a small hill coming out of the woods onto the northbound side of I-95. Caesar continued following the scent across all four lanes of I-95 and into another wooded area. We traveled about two hundred yards through the wooded area, making a turn heading south.

K9 Caesar came out of the woods at the on ramp to I-95. After casting a little bit Caesar continued across the on ramp and off ramp of I-95, still heading south. Caesar entered another wooded area, were we went another three hundred yards before making another turn heading west. In this wooded area I lost my hand held radio although I did not know it yet. After making the turn, we came cut of the wooded area and crossed Hwy 301.

Once Caesar crossed the first lane and into the second lane he made a small turn in the lane and headed north/west down the road. We went about one hundred yards and Caesar made a hard left turn down a dirt road heading south/east. Caesar followed the scent down the dirt road for at least six hundred yards coming to another wooded area. We went up a small hill and entered the wooded area. Caesar went through the wooded area for 200 hundred yards coming to a stream.

Caesar crossed the stream ana down a hill coming to some railroad tracks at the tracks Caesar made a left turn heading east down the middle of the tracks. Caesar went down the tracks for about three hundred yards mate left turn and went up a hill. Once on top of the hill Caesar made another left turn and headed back the way we had just came.

We went almost to the location we had entered the wooded areaand Caesar made a right turn going back through the stream and into the wooded area. Caesar came out of the wooded area right around the dirt road. Caesar made a small turn heading north/east across an open field. While in this field we lost our second backup officer (the first one had gotten tired and changed out with the second officer) We went about a mile through the field until we came to a fence with barbwire on it.

As I was looking for crossing location I could hear sticks breaking and dry leaves being stepped on. I ordered who ever was making there to call out and give up, I was a K-9 Officer and would send the K-9 unless they showed themselves. The unknown noises grew louder, as if someone was running. I to began to run down my side of the fence attempting to locate a spot I could put my partner over the fence. After about one hundred yards I could no longer hear the noise from the other side of the fence. I thought the suspect had lain down and was hiding.

At this point I was able to locate a location I was able to put my partner over the fence. Caesar started to track and air scent back the way we. had come. Caesar was pulling really hard going through the wooded area and then began to bark and the tracking lead went slack. Turning on my flashlight I observed a black male lying in the leaves with his hands under him. I ordered the suspect to show me his hands. The suspect advised that he had the money and was sorry and. to "please don't let that dog bite me".

Johnson County deputies who had been off in the area had seen my flashlight and with a Kenlv Officer had rushed through tne wooded area and took the culprit in custody without further incident. The subject Caesar had tracked was the armed robbery suspect from Exon and $674.00 on him that was taken in the robbery. The suspect had just been released from prison a week before for armed robbery. I took K9 Caesar back to the wooded area where I thought I had lost my hand held radio. I put Caesar into the wooded area and did an article search for my radio. Caesar was able to locate my radio without any trouble.

2001 First Quarter — Detector — Nominees

Region 1 Officer Brent Addison and K9 Oreo, Lakeland FL Police Department

Region 2 Officer Craig Barnett and K9 Chinook Raleigh NC Police Department

Region 3 Deputy Ron Hibbard and K9 Kilo Frederick MD Sheriff's Office

Region 10 Sgt. David Grunewald and K9 Laika East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office

Region 12 Officer Scott Holman and K9 Tessa Cloquet MN Police Department

Region 13 Officer Terry Bishop and K9 Buddy Shelby County TN Sheriff's Office

Region 14 Officer Maureen Noe and K9 Luke Ft. Collins CO Police Services

Region 16 Officer Michael Perkins and K9 Rick St. Louis MO Metropolitan Police

Region 18 Trooper Darren Juntunen and K9 Pasja Minnesota State Police

Region 26 Deputy Scott Walters and K9 Robbie Rankin County MS Sheriff's Department

2001 First Quarter — Detector — Winner

Minnesota State Trooper, Darren Juntenen & K9 Pasja

On January 14. 2001, Trooper Juntenen was called to a rollover accident scene, on Interstate 35, in Canton County. The Trooper was told that officers could smell the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle.

Trooper Juntenen, took his K9 partner down to the vehicle, and walked her around it off-lead. She was given the command to search. K9 PASJA indicated on the passenger door seam. K9 PASJA then made another indication on the right rear quarter panel, by going underneath and scratching and barking. Trooper Juntenen was advised by officers on scene, that they had already searched the trunk and found nothing.

Trooper Juntenen pulled the molded carpet up on the right rear panel when he turned it back he could observe a plastic bag in the opening. The plastic bag was removed, and when opened it was found approximately 80.6 grams of China White Heroin, and a digital scale.

This is one of the largest heroin seizures In Northeastern Minnesota to date.