Ryker
Ryker
Law Enforcement Agency: New Castle County Police Department
Breed: German Shepherd
Handler: S/Cpl. Kathy "Rego" Breitigan
Birth/Death: October 18, 1997-July 2, 2010
Years of active service: 1994-2004
Commendations: 2001 VPWDA Iron Dog Competition, 2nd Place, 12 Annual Tuff Dog Competition, 2nd Place
Special Training/Unit: Patrol/Explosive Detection
Ryker was credited for numerous criminal apprehensions as well as many missing persons locations. Ryker also was credited for locating guns, bullets and spent shell casings from several crime scenes. Ryker was utilized extensively after the 911 attack on the World Trade Center and put in many hours of hard work.
Ryker was assigned to me the summer of 1999. We formed a special bond from the moment I brought him home. After 6 months of training in the area of patrol work and explosive detection, Ryker and I hit the street as the team K9-7. Ryker was an intimdating K9 and just having him present kept myself and other officers out of harm's way. We went on to have great success as a team until retiring him in 2004. As of May 2nd, 2010, Ryker was still enjoying playing and running for his tennis ball, acting like he was still a puppy.
After taking Ryker to the vet for his wellness check (where I was told he was aging gracefully), we headed home. After a car slammed on its brakes in front of us, Ryker tumbled a little but seemed ok. Two days later I noticed his leg was bothering him slightly. I took Ryker back to the vet just to make sure everything was ok. After taking bloodwork to be sure the medicine prescribed would be ok for him, I received a call from the vet telling me to bring him in immediatly for an ultrasound due to a low red blood count. That is a day I will never forget. I was told that Ryker had hemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive form of cancer which was on his spleen, liver and possibly heart. Surgery was an option but it had already spread and the outcome was generally bad. A little over two weeks went by when Ryker suddenly passed away at his residence with me by his side. I wasn't ready to lose my partner, best friend and companion and he will forever be in my thoughts. He will be greatly missed by all that had the joy and pleasure of being around him. I want to thank DPC for treating Ryker with care and dignity. He deserved every bit of that.