k_9
In television programs and films, police officers are capable of astounding feats while offering clever quips as they dispatch suspects with relative ease. Images of Dirty Harry come to mind as he chased criminals through the busy streets of San Francisco, or Bruce Willis' miraculous exploits in Die Hard. Heck, even TJ Hooker had his day in the sun.
The Gila River Police Department had its own set of "no-nonsense" officers who fulfilled their duties during risky and explosive situations. Patrolling the GRIC were two officers who apprehended armed and dangerous suspects without drawing a weapon. They would search through buildings for victims, all the while combating the traffic and use of narcotics in the Community.
These invaluable members of the GRPD did not have a salary, take up a position, or even require a separate car. They never questioned their partners; they never complained and they always did their job to the best of their abilities.
These members of the GRPD came in the form of a shiny coat, four paws, and a wagging tail.
Police service dogs Black Jack and Max both served in excess of eight years with the department as dual-purpose narcotics and patrol dogs. Black Jack was a fierce German Shepherd who in his prime weighed around 115-120 lbs. Max was a sleek Belgian Malinois who was known around the Force as, "the crazy dog," for his fiery tactics with suspects.
Sergeant James Zarzyczny, and Corporal Toby Indorf of the K9 Unit handled Black Jack and Max respectively during their time with the GRPD. "Black Jack came into service with GRPD in Feb. of 2001 and Max came into service in June of 2001," said Sergeant Zarzyczny.
Both dogs took thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics off Community streets, and were deployed to apprehend suspects and take them into custody without having to put another officer's life in jeopardy. "They are an invaluable tool and save lives," Zarzyczny said of the dogs.
For Zarzyczny and Indorf there are countless stories where their service dogs displayed exemplary valor.
Max was once deployed to apprehend a crazed methamphetamine user who, in a drug-induced rampage, threatened his own family members with a large kitchen knife. Max fought with the suspect preventing him from turning the blade on his bed-ridden mother. The suspect attempted to stab Max while two other officers fought with him for approximately six minutes. "Had Max not been able to grab him at that time, Lord only knows what would have happened to [the suspect's] mother in the backroom," reflected Indorf.
Black Jack's heroics were outlined in an incident involving another violent suspect. "There was a distraught woman who was threatening to kill herself and others. She was actually armed with a loaded handgun," said Zarzyczny.
The situation unfolded into a tense standoff between the woman and police. After hours of negotiation, the SWAT Team was called in to fire flash grenades and bean bags into the residence. With the woman disoriented, GRPD's loyal service dog executed a capture with flawless technique. "Black Jack was sent and actually grabbed a hold of the woman knocking the weapon out of her hand subduing her on the ground till officers could get her in custody. She was then taken for treatment and later thanked the police department for intervening to the point where she did not end up taking her life or that of somebody else," Zarzyczny remembered.
Both dogs were purchased from Nightwinds International, a specialized dog vendor from Vail, AZ. When GRPD received the dogs they were classified as "green" or untrained for police service work. The dogs went through 240 hours of basic patrol training. They met the certification requirements and then were trained for drug detection.
The K9 unit trained Black Jack and Max on the odors of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. According to Zarzyczny the pair was certified annually through the National Police K9 Association in all their specialties and skills which were narcotic detection, handler protection, suspect apprehension, and patrol abilities.
Those skills earned them an intimidating reputation among suspects and other members of GRPD.
Indorf described Max as a "happy-go-lucky dog" despite the "crazy dog" designation. "During one of our deployments [Max] actually bit a suspect's pinkie off during a long fight," said Indorf.
Black Jack similarly maintained an abrasive reputation, but also Zarzyczny saw the other side of the massive German Shepherd. "He struck fear into suspects and others just by his sheer size," said Zarzyczny of Black Jack. "But realistically, he was just a big ol' teddy bear."
For an officer in the K9 unit, the dog is with them "24/7" said Zarzyczny. There are kennel facilities at the handler's home and it is their responsibility to care for them, feed them and take them to the veterinarian.
Zarzyczny and Indorf shared a profound bond with their dogs which is why they were such successful tandems. "If you don't have that bond with that dog then it's not going to respond and work the way you want it to work," said Indorf.
Black Jack and Max's time with GRPD abruptly ended when they formed medical problems directly related to spondylosis, a naturally occurring degenerative disease of the spine which can often occur in large breed dogs. Black Jack succumbed to the disease on April 16, 2008 and Max followed, almost a year to the day, on April 17, 2009.
With the passing of Black Jack, Zarzyczny felt a deep void left by his former partner. "When I lost him my house was empty and there was nobody around," he said.
Indorf was similarly affected. "You never realize how involved these dogs are in your life until they are not there," he said.
For all of their toughness, the dogs proved to be a great public relations tool. When the officers would roll into a neighborhood, the local children were very curious to see the dogs and interact with them. The K9 Unit has also performed demonstrations throughout the Community for Districts and schools.
Potential police service dogs are purchased for $4,500 to $5,000. The dogs essentially pay for themselves through assets seized during a drug bust. The seizures are given to the GRPD or the Community through "asset forfeiture." A police service dog currently in the K9 Unit was paid for by asset forfeiture money seized by the canines.
Zarzyczny and Indorf are working to reload their unit with two more dual-purpose service dogs, but the memories of Black Jack and Max are a lasting chronicle of their deeds. Zarzyczny surmised their value to the Department. "They are the best partner you could ever ask for."
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