SALUTE TO A PUBLIC SERVANT K9-8106 HUNTER

Today, the law enforcement community salutes and honors a truly noble public servant. Hunter, the 14 year old German Shepherd who was a lifelong partner to Sgt. Ernie Beitel, passed away on June 4, 2012. He served from 2000-2008 with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2000, Sgt. Ernie Beitel, who had a vision of building a successful Community Owned K9 Division for the Sheriff’s Office, successfully wrote a Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant ($5,000.00) to purchase a narcotics detection dog. He then began, along with many hours of assistance from his wife Colleen, a letter writing campaign to raise the remaining money (over $26,000.00 was donated from various citizens and others) to offset the costs of training a dog. In addition, the money raised was used as seed money to fund additional dogs. The Nielson Foundation also contributed $25,000 towards the purchase of a specially trained drug interdiction dog as part of this eventual group of 4, to include Bosco, Kayos and Chris.

Hunter was the first of this outstanding team of dogs. He was originally owned by a young doctor and his family in Iowa who discovered that Hunter was cut out for greater things in life. His life as a K9 public servant began when he and Sgt. Beitel met when Hunter was 15 months old in August of 2000. Together they spent 14 weeks in training with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Canine Program. On their initial working shift as active duty partners in December of 2000, Hunter made his first felony arrest by tracking and locating an automobile thief. Thus began a stunning career and shining example for the dogs that would join the team.

Hunter was a dual purpose dog trained in both apprehension as well as narcotics detection and was part of many arrests and successful prosecutions. He was an enthusiastic and fearless partner who provided many hours of search and rescue missions and assistance to the citizens of Beltrami County as well as surrounding agencies. In addition, he won many awards in field trials over the years.

Hunter retired in June 2008 when he began to suffer from hip dysplasia. That same spring before retirement, Deputy Dan Rockensock, along with his K9 partner, and Sgt. Beitel, along with Hunter, traveled to a Narcotics Field Trial held in Edina. Dan’s dog scored 1st place and Hunter finished 11th in a field of more than 50 dog teams. His heart and mind were still focused on his job as a highly trained public servant.

Hunter spent his last four years in retirement with his beloved partner, Sgt. Beitel and his family. He enjoyed hanging out with his dog buddies, Jake and Reegan, even though he was always the protector and in charge of all things dogs should be doing well in life. When he lost his hearing, Sgt. Beitel was able to communicate with him using the hand signals learned at K9 school. Hunter never forgot the oath that K9 dogs adhere to, just as law enforcement officers do, and that was to “protect and serve”. Even to the end, when he was tired and in so much pain that it was time to die with dignity, he did his best to continue in his role as a protector and comrade to his partner.

The Beitel family will forever miss Hunter and the joy and dedication he brought into their lives. They, along with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, would like to thank all of the citizens and businesses that have donated to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office K9 Program. Special thanks goes to Pets Plus for food and care products, the Beltrami County Humane Society who raised the money to buy Hunter body armor, the Nielson Foundations and all the others who supported this team allowing them to serve our citizens with professionalism and pride.

Lord Byron probably said it best in his inscription on the monument of his beloved Newfoundland dog, “near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence and courage without ferocity”. Thank you Hunter for your service-End of watch June 4, 2012.