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Police dogs have served well
Gifts large and small are helping the Foundation fund the $8,500–per–dog cost for young police service dogs to
replace retirees. Although police dogs love their work, retirement is also a pretty good place. When they’re done
serving our communities, police canines live out their lives with their best friends—the officers who have worked
with them for 40 hours a week.
The Foundation's K–9 Retiree Replacement Program is an ongoing need. And organizations like The Home Depot Supply
have stepped up to give older dogs a well-deserved rest.
Dogs scheduled for retirement this year include those pictured on this page. Call TODAY for information or to make a donation: (858) 453–5060. Or visit us online at
www.sdpolicefoundation.org.
Take a look at the brave canines that will be retiring this year (K–9 retirees).
SDPD canines work until they are about 8½ years old. Each year, 5-10 retire and need to be replaced with the next generation of active duty dogs.
Photos courtesy of Tony Zeljeznak.
Citizen witness key to arrest
When Joseph Revis robbed the Point Loma Community Bank in October, he did not
know Frank Buch watched him walk out with the stolen money. Buch followed Revis to his vehicle and
recorded the license plate number. Once the police arrived, Frank Buch provided the information that led
to Revis’ arrest.
Infrared leaves no place to hide
SDPD Air Support officers recently put their new FLIR 8500 (Forward Looking Infrared) equipment to the test and came up with a suspect’s gun.
Patrol officers pulled over a car suspecting its occupants were involved in a gunshots heard nearby. As the vehicle was stopping, officers believed a passenger in the car threw an object out of the passenger side window.
Air Support was requested to check the surrounding area with its infrared camera system.
In the helicopter’s first orbit of the area, airborne officers picked up a heat source in the brush—directly in line with the vehicle’s passenger window.
With directions from Air Support, the patrol officer recovered the weapon
and an arrest was made.
Air Support officers don’t think the old FLIR 2000 equipment would have picked up the weapon. With four state-of-the-art helicopters funded by the city last year now coming on line, it’s going to be a lot harder for suspects and weapons to go missing in San Diego’s underbrush.
Security employee arrested
for sex crimes
Robert James Purdy, 41 was arrested at his home in the 4000 block of 49th Street and booked for rape, kidnapping, and sex acts with a minor. At the time of his arrest, Purdy was employed by Wackenhut Security. The victims were adult and juvenile females who were in areas known for prostitution when they were victimized. According to police, Purdy convinced the victims to get into his car, at which time he showed his badge and demanded sex.
SDPD Sex Crimes detectives believe Purdy is the suspect in three additional cases occurring as recently as Nov. 8. They also believe there could be others who have not reported being victimized. Victims or witnesses are encouraged to contact Sex Crimes at (619) 531-2210 or Crime Stoppers at
(888) 580-TIPS.
SDPD Western Division Officers Neal Browder and Bill Carter are credited with investigative work leading to the arrest. Responding to a flyer distributed by SDPD citywide, the officers noted some information which matched a prior traffic stop they had initiated. Their research led to
the identification of the suspect and his vehicle. Victims confirmed Purdy’s identity. |
In Memorium
“Twister”
"Twister" was friend and crime-fighting partner of Officer Tom Carlyon. He served San Diegans as a
police service dog for five years. This fall, Twister died due to a tumor that caused multiple organ failure.
Law Enforcement
S o l u t i o n s
While officers respond to emergencies and crises, the San Diego Police Foundation helps cover their back trying to get them what they need to do their jobs better. Your police department may not come to mind when you think
about charitable giving, but there are few organizations that touch the lives of so many in San Diego.
"Kevin" Retires
Start Date:
Jan. '00
Born:
Jan. '97
Handler:
Officer Carl Weber
"Rocky" Retires
Start Date:
Dec. ’00
Born:
Jan. ’98
Handler:
Officer Ken Fortier
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A $1 million gift presented by QUALCOMM to the San Diego Police Foundation will put
state-of-the-art handheld communication devices and geographic-based location capabilities
to work for the San Diego Police Department. The donation is the largest single gift ever
received by the Foundation. It will help the police department implement advanced
global tracking applications and position the department as an industry leader in patrol
communications and broadband applications.
