Salem Police Department is mourning the loss of an honored member of their team, Jack, a Belgian Malinois.
Jack served on the Salem Police Department for six years before retiring in March 2011. He worked alongside handler, Officer Sean Cooper.
As the first and only cross-trained patrol dogs, Jack was able to search for suspects and drugs.
“Jack searched cars, houses, attics, crawl spaces, fields, yards, and anywhere a suspect could hide or where drugs could be concealed. In his long and successful career, he conducted over one thousand drug and suspect searches and compiled a long list of captures.” said Sgt. Steve Smith, supervisor for the police dog unit.
Jack carries an impressive resume that other police dogs could only drool over. Involved with the arrest or capture of 740 suspects, Jack also found 41 pounds of drugs and seized $121 000 in cash.
Well celebrated for his impressive abilities, Jack was the first police dog on the Salem department to receive the Medal of Valor. His most famous achievement was his involvement in capturing an axe-wielding suspect. Jack also received an Oregon Peace Officer’s Association Purple Heart Award.
Jack will be greatly missed by all.
