Agent Gary Kalmus... Saying Goodbye To K-9 “Boy”

 

 

     On Wednesday, July 10, 2008, I attended a memorial for K9 “Boy”.   Deputy Troy Henderson and I have had the honor of training and attending United States Police Canine Association certifications with K9 Boy and his handler Don Carmack.   The K9 team always performed in an impressive manner and set a standard for all other teams to aspire to.

 

K9 “Boy” was a Belgian Malinois, a breed of dog rare in America except as police dogs.  Belgian Malinois, named for the city of Malines in Belgium, are a high energy, extremely intelligent and highly versatile breed known for its ability to excel in all areas of police work including tracking, apprehension, and narcotic and explosive detection.

 

Officer Don Carmack gave the following eulogy and recount of K9 “Boy’s” career:

 

K9 “Boy” was born in Holland on September 23, 1996, and trained in Kaplan Louisiana.  He went to work with the Brownwood Police Department under Handler Tom Carlisle, then went to work for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department in 1999 under Handler Don Carmack.  K9 “Boy” assisted several other departments; Brownwood, Early, Coleman, Comanche, Dublin, Goldthwaite and Sidney.

 

In 2000 K9 “Boy” and Handler Carmack competed in T.P.C.A. (Texas Police Chiefs Association) K9 competition taking 2^nd place.

K9 “Boy” and Carmack were certified and members with the U.S.P.C.A. (United States Police Canine Association) from 2000 – 2005.  K9 “Boy” trained and competed at the 40-hour course put on each year by the U.S.P.C.A and placed 2^nd in 2002 and 2003. This was a competition with what I would say were some of the top Police K9s in Texas. 

K9 “Boy” was responsible for the seizure of drugs, money and vehicles throughout his career.  He was also responsible for the search and apprehension of missing persons, fleeing suspects and jail escapees.

He performed many demonstrations with civic groups, school districts and the 4-H and was a real crowd pleaser.

 

Not sure of the exact amounts of seizures, but some of the statistics are:

Tracking and Search:  3 Runaways

                                       3 Missing persons

                                       5 Fleeing suspects

                                       1 escapee from a juvenile facility

 

Apprehensions (bites):1 Aggravated assault on a peace officer

                                      1 Habitual family assault suspect who would                                                                 always run when the police would show up.

                                      3 Persons fleeing after vehicle pursuits

                                      2 Jail escapees

 

K9 “Boy” retired from the Brown County Sheriff’s Department in 2004 when Handler Don Carmack took a position as Police Chief in Bangs.

The County Commissioners retired K9 “Boy” to Don’s ownership.

Even then Boy continued to be requested.  His latest accomplishments included the locating of a missing child in the community of Sidney and the running of a search warrant.  K9 “Boy’s” last bite out of crime came just four weeks before his death when he assisted in the service of a search warrant that was executed by the drug task force.  K9 Boy made a run and located methamphetamine in two locations in the residence.  He never knew the word “quit” no matter how much pain or how old he got.  Even after he finished his search he had to be lifted into the vehicle and still wanted to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown County Sheriff’s Office

K-9, “Boy,” and his handler

Deputy Don Carmack, during a

training exercise.

TAYLOR COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE  ABILENE