Defenders, military working dogs honor fallen Wichita Police Department K-9
WICHITA, KS, UNITED STATES
03.31.2017
A procession of K-9 handlers from multiple Kansas police departments and the 22nd Security Forces Squadron arrive at Century II Exhibition Hall, March 31, 2017, Wichita, Kan. The handlers and K-9s were part of a memorial service to honor fallen Wichita Police Department K-9, Rooster, who was killed in the line of duty March 18, 2017. “The K-9 community is small and it was important to the 22nd SFS K-9 section that we show WPD support right now,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Urquhart, 22nd SFS kennel master. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)
Members of the Patriot Guard stand at attention outside Century II Exhibition Hall, Wichita, Kan., March 31, 2017. The Wichita Police Department held a memorial service to honor fallen WPD K-9, Rooster, the first WPD police service dog to die in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)
Senior Airman Brandon Wilcox, 22nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, MWD SZarik, Tech. Sgt. Michael Urquhart, 22nd SFS Kennel master and MWD Don, stand with police and K-9 units from across Kansas, outside a memorial service for a fallen Wichita Police Department K-9, March 31, 2017, Wichita, Kan. “When you live and work with your partner, he relies on you for everything and you rely on him to keep you safe, it's a bond that only a K-9 handler could understand,” said Urquhart. “I don't doubt for one minute that if our kennel had suffered a loss like theirs, that WPD and all the K-9 handlers from the area would come and support us the same way.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)
Defenders assigned to the 22nd Security Forces Squadron, pray during a memorial service for fallen Wichita Police Department K-9, Rooster, March 31, 2017, Wichita, Kan. “Supporting Officer Daniel Gumm, his family and WPD is the most important thing I could have done today,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Urquhart, 22nd SFS kennel master. “I was honored to be here.” Rooster is the first WPD K-9 to be killed in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)
A flag is presented to Officer Daniel Gumm, Wichita Police Department, during a memorial service for his partner, fallen WPD K-9 Rooster, March 31, 2017, Wichita, Kan. “Losing a partner, especially in the line of duty, is undoubtedly difficult,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Urquhart, 22nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master. “It was important to the 22nd SFS K-9 section that we show WPD support right now.” Rooster was fatally injured after being shot twice during a domestic abuse call. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)
Kansas police officers, K-9s and 22nd Security Forces Squadron Airmen and military working dogs, prepare to pay their final respects to the ashes of fallen Wichita Police Department K-9, Rooster, March 31, 2017, Wichita, Kan. “The K-9 community is small and while my handlers and I might not have known Rooster and his handler, Officer Daniel Gumm, we do understand the type of bond that they had,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Urquhart, 22nd SFS kennel master. Rooster died while saving the life of his partner, Officer Gumm, March 18, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)
(Jaime Green File photo)
Wichita police Officer Daniel Gumm works with police dog Rooster in March 2015. Rooster was shot and killed on March 18, 2017, during a standoff.
Rooster, a Belgian Malinois, was shot in his neck and shoulder after being ordered to stop 25-year-old Kevin C. Perry from going back inside a home at Lamplighter Mobile Home Park, 2320 E. MacArthur in Wichita, at about 8:30 p.m. March 18.
He died quickly, police Chief Gordon Ramsay has said. Perry was also shot and killed.
Rooster served with the Wichita Police Department for five years. He is the agency’s first police canine killed in the line of duty.
Officer Daniel Gumm eulogizes his fallen police dog, Rooster.
“A dog as a partner is so much different than a human being, not that you can’t count on people or something, but regardless of how you feel, regardless of how bad or good of a day you’re having, the dog is always there 100 percent”
