CITY HALL ROUNDUP : Hermosa Beach police bid Sherlock a sad farewell.

BOW OUT: There are few things sadder than a police funeral. And it was a solemn ceremony indeed Friday when Hermosa Beach police and other law enforcement officials paid their last respects to one of their fallen members, Sherlock, the K-9 unit’s lovable Labrador.

With a Scottish bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace,” and several police officers recalling some of Sherlock’s biggest busts, the police dog was remembered as a serious yet playful member of the department. The Rev. Michael Lenihan of St. Lawrence Catholic Church led the procession in prayer.

Sherlock was killed during a drug bust Dec. 3 when he took off after a stray dog in the area and was struck by a car. He was cremated the next day, and an urn containing his ashes was prominently displayed at the ceremony.

In Sherlock’s nine months with the department, Cmdr. Anthony Altfeld said the dog conducted 67 narcotics searches and had 45 confirmed drug discoveries. With his help, police seized half a pound of cocaine, 2 1/2 pounds of methamphetamines, 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana and $150,000 in cash. Sherlock’s handler was Officer Joseph Gaines.

“Any time you use dogs, they become special to the department and especially to the handler,” Altfeld said. “To the uninitiated, it might seem a bit ridiculous to have a ceremony like this. But it’s a little like losing a partner. There is grief and it’s important to achieve closure on something like this.”

THE PALACE GUARD: It was a bad week for police in the beach cities. First Sherlock. Now Fred Schumaker.

Schumaker, the police officer assigned to monitor City Council meetings in Redondo Beach, has outlasted mayors, council members, city managers and citizen activists. But he couldn’t outlast the recession.

Last week, after seven action-packed years of duty, Schumaker became a victim of the budgetary ax. As a way of saving money during these tough economic times, the City’s Council sessions--known for their raucousness--will be unchaperoned.

The easygoing Schumaker, a motorcycle cop during the day, became the council’s official guard in the mid-1980s when an angry citizen threatened council members with bodily harm. He received overtime pay to monitor the meetings from the back row and to escort city leaders to their cars. The duty has continued ever since.

Ironically, though, it has sometimes been the city leaders themselves who have needed restraining. Most recently, Schumaker escorted City Clerk John L. Oliver out of the chambers and drove him home to cool off after an angry outburst by Oliver last month.

“It can get rather hot,” Schumaker said of his seven years of council watching. “It’s not always the public. Sometimes it’s council versus council.”

Schumaker will remain in his less-hazardous position as a motorcycle officer.

Lest anyone get the idea that the council chambers are now a free-for-all zone, take note: The police watch commander has been known to watch the live cable TV broadcasts of the meetings. And as Lt. Steve Murdoch said, “We’re only a stone’s throw away.”

HAVE OFFICE, WILL TRAVEL: Inglewood Mayor Edward Vincent says he is no Mario Cuomo. But not only has he had trouble deciding whether to run for higher office, he’s still trying to figure out which one he does or does not want to run for.

Last month, Vincent was sounding out supporters about a bid to replace Kenneth Hahn on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Hahn, who has been in ill health, is retiring.

Then, Vincent, according to City Hall insiders, started meeting with a group of folks backing state Sen. Diane Watson (D-Inglewood) for Hahn’s spot.

Watson not only wants Hahn’s job, she wants Vincent and Compton City Treasurer Welsey Sanders out of the race. That way she can go head to head with the only other announced supervisorial candidate, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, the former supervisor, state assemblywoman and congresswoman.

So now it looks as if Vincent is considering a run for the state Assembly instead. Curtis Tucker Jr., who in 1989 replaced his late father in the Legislature, says reapportionment makes it likely he will forsake the Assembly to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Bill Green. Political insiders suggest that you don’t hold your breath waiting for Vincent’s announcement.

JONATHAN LIVINGSTON PEACOCK: Iowa peacock farmer Dennis Fett is being hired by Rolling Hills Estates to help the city resolve the peacock dilemma in the woodsy Dapplegray neighborhood. A kind of Pied Piper of peacocks, Fett claims he can help lead the troublesome birds to other, nearby areas where they would be less of a nuisance.

Although the 141 peacocks have their ardent defenders, not everyone is thrilled by the sight of these big, brilliantly plumed birds roosting in tall pines or trooping across well-tended lawns crying shrilly for “ ‘elp, ‘elp.”

The city has agreed to pay Fett $200 a day, plus expenses, to move the birds away from places they are not wanted. By using behavior modification techniques, Fett said he can entice the birds to change territories. But he said that residents will have to stop feeding the birds or the peacocks will come tromping back.

Fett is expected to arrive early in January and will hold a series of public meetings to educate the residents on the ways of peafowl, hens and cocks. Fett is confident that the birds will agree to move to a less affluent neighborhood, but then, he’s never been to California, let alone Rolling Hills Estates.

LAST WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Rancho Palos Verdes: The City Council on Tuesday introduced an ordinance limiting to two years the terms of planning commissioners and increasing the number on the commission from five to seven. Planning commissioners, who serve at the discretion of the council, had held four-year terms. The council named Gilbert Alberio, Lee Byrd, Larry Clark, Sonja Hayes, Robert Katherman, Joseph Lorenzen and Nick Mowlds to the commission. Katherman will serve as chairman.

Manhattan Beach: While residents are putting up their Christmas trees, the city is talking about taking them down. The City Council announced a tree recycling program that will run from Dec. 30 to Jan 4. Residents can put their unadorned trees out with trash and Western Waste will mulch the trees. Trees taller than five feet must be trimmed to that length.

Redondo Beach: The City Council canceled the historical pageant scheduled for next year to commemorate the city’s 100th birthday. Instead, the city will hold a community gathering at Redondo Union High School’s Seahawk Bowl.

Torrance: The City Council on Tuesday accepted the recommendation of its Public Safety Committee to end the city’s own mosquito control program and join the Los Angeles County West Mosquito Abatement District.

Inglewood: Councilman Daniel Tabor was elected to the board of directors of the National League of Cities. He will serve a two-year term on the 40-member board.

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Hermosa Beach: The City Council will meet in closed session to decide whether council members may review the resumes of city manager applicants. Previously, an outside consultant has recommended finalists to the council, but during this search some council members want to help the consultant choose the finalists. Former City Manager Kevin Northcraft left the city in October for a job in San Bernardino County. 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

OTHER MEETINGS THIS WEEK

Hawthorne: 7 p.m. Monday, 4455 W. 126th St., Hawthorne; (310) 970-7902. Televised on Channel 22 (Paragon) at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Rolling Hills: 7:30 p.m. Monday, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills; (310) 377-1521. No cable telecast.

Note: Because of the seasonal slowdown in government activity, there will be no column for the next two weeks. It will resume Jan. 12. Happy holidays.