Deputies Say Final Farewell to Police Dog

Over the echoes of barking police dogs, law enforcement officers and their families bid their final farewell Tuesday to 6-year-old police dog Pascha.

During the hourlong memorial ceremony, Pascha’s former handlers were overcome by emotion as they listened to Capt. Haskell Chandler, who supervises the canine program for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, recall their dog’s exploits.

Deputy Joe Rivas, sitting with his wife and two small children, wiped away tears as he listened to Chandler remember Pascha as a “strong, determined dog that was also gentle with children.”

Next to Rivas sat Sgt. Steve Wade, who worked with Pascha before Rivas.

The two men, who had both had been Pascha’s constant companions, comforted each other throughout the ceremony.

“There is no greater friend than one that would lay down their life for you,” read a quote from Rivas on a plaque memorializing Pascha.

A longhaired black and tan German shepherd who was trained to an advanced level in Germany, Pascha Vom Kasseler Kreuz--the dog’s full name--was bought by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in 1992.

Pascha received 260 hours of police canine training with Wade, then went through the same training again when he was assigned to Rivas.

Those training periods are a critical time for the dog and deputy, officials said, because to work successfully, the dog must learn to bond with the officer.

Eventually, the deputy and dog are together constantly. On their off-hours, the deputies take the dogs home and make them part of their families.

During the ceremony, a video was aired that showed Pascha just as eager while romping with Rivas’ children as when pursuing criminals.

When Rivas would come home with Pascha after a day of police work, his 4-year-old daughter, Alexis, would ask, “Did my boy catch the ratty bad guy today?” Chandler said.

The department is trying to find a dog in Germany to replace Pascha, he said.

A well-bred and trained dog can cost from $9,000 to $12,000, which is paid for through donations. The cost also covers one month of training with the officer who eventually will become the dog’s handler, Chandler said. The department now has four dogs.

Anyone interested in making donations for the Sheriff’s Department K-9 Trust can drop off a check at any sheriff’s station, or send one to the Sheriff’s K-9 Program c/o Capt. Haskell Chandler, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009.