Redding PD announces “tragic and untimely” passing of K-9 “Hank”
REDDING; Calif. — Redding Police Department officials yesterday were sad to announce that one of their department’s K-9s passed away “after a brief battle with a suspected aggressive form of cancer.”
K-9 “Hank” – the well-loved and highly successful, two-and-a-half year old police service dog – passed away July 9.
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“It is with great sadness we announce the untimely passing of K-9 ‘Hank’,” Redding Police Sgt. Chris Smyrnos reported yesterday.
Born in the Czech Republic in 2017, Hank was a German Shepherd that was assigned to patrol operations at Redding Police Department. He was trained in searching for narcotics, tracking suspects and victims, article searches, and handler protection.
Redding PD’s K-9 Handler Chris Kofford is seen releasing his furry companion and partner “Hank”, to take down a “suspect” at one of countless community demonstrations in this undated image. Redding PD photo
Hank and his handler, Redding PD Officer Chris Kofford, had only been working together since April, 2019, “but together they had a huge impact on the community and members of the department,” explained Smyrnos.
“Over his brief career, Hank was utilized over 150 times for building or area searches, high-risk car stops, article searches, or as a force option,” Smyrnos explained; saying, “Hank assisted in taking 75 people safely into custody, including six violent criminal apprehensions.”
“Hank’s good nature and fun personality made him a joy for people to be around, while his hard working attitude made him highly effective in supporting patrol officers in their duties,” Smyrnos continued.
Hank’s tragic passing leaves Redding PD with five other police service dogs; including, K-9s “Chase”, “Dozer”, “Gunner”, Njord”, and “Otto”.
K-9 “Hank” takes on a weapon-wielding “bad guy” during training. Redding Police Department photo
Officials, who are still grieving Hank’s passing, have not yet said if or when Hank will be replaced by another police service dog.
For more information about Redding PD’s Canine Unit, or how you can help the department acquire a replacement for Hank, visit www.reddingk9.com.
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
Redding Police department photos
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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.
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