Hamilton Police dog Jake dies following ten year career

After ten years of service in Hamilton, police dog Jake died just months after his retirement.

Jake, a German Shepherd, was born in Czechia in March 2013. Following a year of training, Jake joined the Hamilton Police Service to work alongside handler Officer Kevin Wilson. Early in their career, Jake and Wilson worked as a general patrol K-9 Unit.

According to Ned’s Wish, a police dog charity, Jake was cross-trained in narcotics, firearms and currency detection. He found 63 guns and more than $500,000 in cash throughout his career.

He and Wilson worked “locating missing, lost or wanted persons, evidence, as well as tracking down and apprehending fleeing criminals,” Hamilton Police said.

As recently as a year ago, Jake and Wilson were still catching alleged crooks. On Nov. 21, the pair responded to a north-end business for a break-in. While officers formed a perimeter and caught two of the three break-in suspects, the third eluded them.

Luckily, Jake was on the case and tracked the third suspect down. The man was hiding in a steel bin before Jake hauled him out. Over time Jake became known as “the one with the floppy ear” to single him out from the other three PSDs in the unit; Armour, Chase and Scout. Their handlers are Officers David Kerkhof, John Sabatini, and Vince Kikas.

Ned’s Wish described several of Jake and Wilson’s cases. On one occasion, the pair tracked a pair of alleged truck thieves after they rammed through a police roadblock.

The suspects ditched the truck in Hamilton, but Jake and Wilson tracked them for more than two and a half kilometres. Jake turned up discarded evidence on the way and ultimately found the pair hiding under a shed.

In another case, the pair were tasked with finding a gun after a late night in the city. A suspect was arrested about 500 metres from the scene but was unarmed. No witnesses could share the shooter’s exact escape route so Jake and Wilson had to scour a 20-block area for the gun. Ultimately Jake caught the scent and uncovered the gun stashed inside a tire under a potted plant. DNA evidence later linked the gun to the shooting.

Jake retired in January and Hamilton Police announced his death on Nov. 20.

Of his longtime partner Wilson wrote, “You tested well and you had ‘potential.’ Little did we know at the time just how right we were! I was lucky enough to be the chosen handler, your partner. From that day on my life changed. You were not just ‘a dog’ you were a teacher, a partner and a best friend.

“You had the nose of a champion. Guns drugs and money could not be hidden where you couldn’t detect it,” he continued, “A tracking beast, you followed human scent with ease, no matter the distance or terrain. You made me look so good and I can’t thank you enough for the education you provided over
the years.”

“But eventually you started to slow down. Food wasn’t so exciting and energy levels seemed to decrease. You let me know something was wrong and I tried to help. Your mind was so clear and you remained physically strong, but cancer took over and there was no way to fight it.”

“After a very tough and courageous battle, you let me know that the time had come for us to say goodbye. With tears in my eyes and a broken heart, I reluctantly had to let you go. But, a piece of me went with you. We shared a unique bond that few can truly understand. Over the next few days, weeks and months I can assure you that I will miss you terribly.”

“I will shed many tears, but I will also smile at the great times we shared, and the memories we created, not just between us, but with others. You touched so many people with not only your work ethic but your personality. The countless presentations and public appearances created memories for others that will hopefully help your legacy live on.”

Thank you for everything you meant to me over the last 11 years. For the laughs, the frustration, your silliness that few got to see, and your unwavering dedication to being the best K9 partner I could have ever hoped to have,” Wilson concluded.