On December 6th 1994 at 10:00am, I was forced to do the most difficult thing I’ve ever been faced with in my life.
I was a K9 officer and my wonderful amazing partner went to sleep in my arms at the Veterinarian Hospital. In all this time that has gone by, I’ve never forgotten the terror and fear I felt as “Rommel” closed his eyes for the last time.
On December 3rd we had been home watching “Cops” on TV. Rommel would always get excited when he heard the sirens, and he would sit in front of the T.V. with his head cocked over like the RCA Victory dog. This day he didn’t get excited. And he hadn’t eaten his dinner, which was extremely unusual for a 130lb Rottweiler, and the worst thing was, he was short of breath.
To make a long story short, I was an over protective Dad and I took Rommel to the 24-hour emergency vet. I wish I hadn’t because we found out that Rommel had advanced stages of cancer around his heart and in his chest. My world collapsed as I found out from the vet that “Rommel” would let me know in his own way when it was time to say good bye. It could be a few days, a week, a month, but it would be soon.
I tried to mask my feelings but he knew I was bummed. On December 4th, we went out and got a 20-foot tall Christmas tree. The biggest I had ever put in my house! We celebrated Christmas on that day and gave Rommel a ton of gifts.
On December 6th at 5:30am I woke up and didn’t hear the big guy snoring at the foot of the bed like usual. I went into the living room and found Rommel huddled by the sliding glass door shaking. He had been bleeding internally and it was almost as if he was telling me with his eyes that it was time to say good bye.
I went to the Sheriff’s office and picked up our K9 patrol car and brought it home. I wanted Rommel to go to God in a familiar setting. The one that he was put on this earth for. The one that he truly loved.
With the moral support of my Dad, my brother Mark, and some of the guys from my unit, Rommel made his last trip in “his car” to the vet’s office. I was so upset I couldn’t drive so mark drove while I stayed in the back of the car holding my partner.
At 10:00am, Rommel received the shot that put him into a final sleep while in my arms. No more pain or suffering, just everlasting peace with God.
Rommel was kind of famous in my county. He had saved my life on numerous occasions and those of other officers as well. He not only apprehended an incredible number of felony suspects, but he was gifted with being able to “track” like a bloodhound. He located numerous lost or missing adults and children as well as key items of evidence like guns, knives, and even keys dropped by fleeing suspects.
As successful as Rommel was at catching bad guys, he was just at home in the classrooms at elementary schools playing tennis ball with the thousands of kids we met in a 6-year period. Whether it was a lick on the cheek to a toddler in a stroller, to dressing up as a reindeer with antlers at Christmas time and visiting kids in local hospitals, Rommel had a class and style about him I’ve never forgotten. He loved kids and the kids really loved him!
Rommel had so much class, I think of him and his memorial service everyday. 200 people went up to the top of a mountain on a cold rainy chilly December Sunday morning to pay respects, not to a dog, but to a special talented “animal” who had touched so many people in a positive way.
Rommel had a police motorcycle escort leading a long trail of K9 units from all over the bay area, patrol cars and civilian cars. Even a fire truck from Rommel’s favorite fire station that he had adopted as a second home while we were at work.
At the end of the service, a police helicopter landed on the mountain top, picked up Rommel’s ashes, and as everyone saluted a final time they scattered Rommel’s ashes on the mountain top overlooking the entire county where he had done so many wonderful things.
There were so many people there, it was impossible to contact everyone who had attended, and who made me so proud to have been Rommel’s handler.
It seemed fitting to do it here, on this day, so…
Caren, Rommel’s human “Mom”. I’ll never be able to thank you for what you did. Some things you just don’t need to say with words but you know he loved you just as much as he did me.
Thank you
Mark, my brother. You know what you did for me. Thanks for “covering” me when I needed it the most. The rest of my family, you reminded me of what families are all about.
Commander John Gackowski. If you know how much we admire you, then you know how much it meant to both of us for you to be there. Thank you “Capt. Jack!”
Jim Faggiano, Rommel’s phenomenal trainer. Thank you for the words you spoke, and for teaching me about the “Rainbow Bridge”.
Rich Woolard, and Rick Morgan. Two of my supervisors who knew exactly the right thing to say, and when to say it.
Deputy Ken Simpson. A previous K9 handler and my role model.
You’d been there and done that with “Ned”, and I think that morning was just as tough for you as it was for me. Thank you for reassuring me that I was doing the right thing. You’re the best!
The Motor Officers from both the Walnut Creek PD, and the California Highway Patrol who led the procession. Your contribution brought a tear to my eye on that day, and everyday I think back on it… Thank you so much guys.
The tear jerkers of the day who I’ll always be grateful to:
The helicopter crew from the East Bay Regional Park Police “Eagle One” who gave my partner his ride up to the Angels…Randy and Gary, as you soar next to God, know that my appreciation and admiration soars with you.
Before the Helicopter took off with Rommel’s ashes, a special song was played which painted the perfect picture of K9 “Rommel”.
Here it is one more time my partner…
( From the Bette Midler recording)
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
To never have sunlight on your face,
You were content to let me shine… that’s your way
You always walked a step behind,
So I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strain,
A beautiful face without a name for so long,
A beautiful smile to hide the pain,
Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
And everything that I would like to be,
I can fly higher than an eagle,
You are the wind beneath my wings,
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I’ve got it all here in my heart,
I want you to know I know the truth…course I know it,
I would be nothing without you,
Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
You’re everything I wish I could be,
I can fly higher than an eagle,
You are the wind beneath my wings
Fly,
Fly,
Fly away,
You let me fly so high,
You are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly,
Fly,
So high against the sky,
So high I almost touch the sky,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings…
Rommel,
It’s never been the same since you left. I promised you I would stay strong, and continue on where “we” left off. As you can see from up there I’m still at it! I know you watch over me from Heaven but I still find myself looking in my rear view mirror so many times expecting you to appear. I know you are with God, saving me a place on the other side of the “rainbow bridge.”
Thank you for keeping me safe when you were here.
Thank you for all the love that you put into my heart that’s still there.
Thank you for helping so many people in their time of need, and most of all,
Thank you being my partner, my hero, and my best friend.
It was privilege to be your partner, and it’s a privilege to honor you on this day.
I learned a new saying since you’ve been gone.
Whenever I walk past your picture on the wall I hope you can hear me say. “Rom, You Rule!”
