K9 Cezar Retires After Six Years Of Faithful Service To The Citizens Of Sacramento County

November 03, 2005

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By Deputy Rick Kemp K911

SSD K9 Cezar

Police canine handlers are very close to their canine partners. We rely on our partners to be there to eagerly jump in and help whenever needed. The dogs rely on us to provide them a nurturing home environment. It is this bond that is the glue to a human and animal relationship that is stronger than can be described. Canine Handlers spend more time with their partners than they do with their families. So it is sad when a canine partner has to retire.

This September (2005) I had to retire Cezar after nearly six years of working together. Earlier in the year Cezar began having trouble with his left hip. It was a situation that I continued to monitor. His hip weakness worsened to the point where his left leg would collapse unexpectedly beneath him. It was due to this condition that I decided it was time to retire him. Cezar and I have made over 100 arrests together and competed in numerous canine competitions winning many awards. Cezar was always ready to go to work no matter how hot it was, how cold it was, if it was raining or foggy. No matter what the situation he was eager to get involved.

Cezar had made several apprehensions throughout his career, but none probably more important than his first apprehension. The summer of 2000 an angry suicidal passenger on a Greyhound Bus assaulted the driver while the bus was traveling on southbound Interstate 5. The passenger hit the driver several times on the head with his fist. The driver lost control of his bus and drifted onto the right shoulder crashing through a fence.

The bus came to a harsh sudden stop in a large drainage ditch. The suspect passenger who was standing next to the driver was thrown through the front windshield and landed hard on the ground in front of the bus. The suspect was not injured badly and was able to get up and run into a large field with trees and overgrown weeds. Along with the bus driver over 30 passengers sustained moderate to major injuries.

During the incident several canines from the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, along with helicopters from the California Highway Patrol and Sacramento Sheriff’s Department searched for the suspect. I responded and began to search the large field with Cezar. After a short search Cezar began to alert on the suspect who was hiding in the tall grass. He was taken into custody and was eventually sentenced to state prison.

Cezar is going to take some time adjusting to the life of leisure and learning how to be a pet. I know it is frustrating to him to hear the patrol car leave the house without him. Luckily, I will be able to drive him around the block from time to time in the patrol car reliving the old times.

Visitor comments

"RICK,

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO YOU AND CEZAR FOR ALL THE COVER ON SWING SHIIFT IN NORTHEAST. YOU GUYS WERE MY ONLY COVER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I AM SURE CEZAR WILL NOT FORGET THE GOOD TIMES YOU HAVE SHARED, HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN IN PATROL. TAKE CARE, SEE YOU ON THE NEXT CALL."

->By J. KARASINSKI on December 02, 2005 - 08:12

"Rick,
It is sad when an athlete is sidelined by injury and has to make room for another. But Cezar couldn't have a better caretaker to help him enjoy his well earned retirement. Best Wishes to you both. / jdh"

->By Joe Hancock SRO1/Property Whse on November 30, 2005 - 04:11

"Cezar is a lovable K9. So gentle and sweet. He loved the attention and worked well with the community. However, he was also a very motivated K9. He worked diligently to get "the bad guy".

One of the the first apprehensions I witnessed was just like TV. "The bad guy" was running from an occupied stolen vehicle. Kemp and Cezar were in their car in front of me. Kemp stopped the car and yelled at the guy to stop. The guy kept running. Kemp opened the back door and, as I was getting out of my car, I could see through my windshield "a flying dog". Cezar made contact and I was able to handcuff "the bad guy" without further incident. "The bad guy" was pretty big, but had a healthy respect for the dog. The bad guy" had significantly less respect for us cops. If Cezar wasn't involved in the apprehension, there may have been a physical altercation with "the bad guy", which could have led to Officers sustaining injuries. Thanks for helping to keep us patrol officers safe.

Great Teamwork! Enjoy retirement Cezar and get healthy. You will be missed in the field.
- Cathy"

->By Cathy Muller on November 30, 2005 - 11:11

"Rick-
I will miss Cezar, he was a great dog. I remember when he caught my 459 guy running through the parking lot, and the guy tried to fight with him. Cezar definitely took a bite outa crime, and was the same lovable friendly guy after his job was done. I'd love it if you could bring him by the station sometime."

->By Michelle Archer on November 30, 2005 - 09:11

"Rick,
It has been an absolute honor and privilage to work with you and Cezar. You trained the Moose and I, and for all of the knowledge you passed on, the patience you had (mostly with me I'm sure) in getting us trained and certified, and then working the same shift with you, i will always be grateful for all you have done. You and Cezar were a great role modle for Moose and I to emulate in my new career as a K9 handler.

I am sure you have your favorite call that you and Cezar worked, but the one I still talk about and probably always will, was that cold, rainy December night that I covered you and Cezar tracking a subject that had been involved in shooting five people at a party. SPD had located the vehicle, got in a pursuit and the bad guys crashed into a house and then footbailed.

You offered our assistance to SPD to help locate these suspects. They had their dogs working and after confering on the best course of action, we decided that you would do a track with Cezar and I would cover you with the shotgun.

I remember looking at the rain and thinking that it was actually coming down in sheets, not drops. I was wondering how effective a track in this kind of weather would be. I was also wondering if Rick Kemp had lost his mind!! None the less, we suited up and started the track. Cezar immediately had odor, nose to the ground and pulling hard. We had already been forwarned of all of the homeless camps in the area, so we cautiously advanced. For the next half mile or better, Cezar still had his nose to the ground and pulling like a dog on a mission. Cezar had passed 3 - 4 homeless camps and never indicated that he wanted to check them out. Instead, Cezar took us to a railroad trestle where we found someone in a sleeping bag. I got that chill up the back of my neck when the subject was obviously pretending to sleep thru Cezar's barking and your commands to show his hands. I remember how incredibly loud it sounded when i took the shotgun off safety.

After all of the hoopin and hollarn, this turned out to be the bad guy we were looking for. This was not just another track or even a hellofa good track, this was nothing short of spectacular. For those of you that know me, you know the more adverse the conditions, the better i like it. Folks, you would have had to be there to appreciate the weather we were working in. Even though we had rain gear on, we were both soaked to bone when this was over.

But not once did Cezar ever seem dissuade by the conditions. That dog was on a mission and was moving with a purpose. It was like he was working on a clear, bright, sunny, spring day. Impressive...don't know what else to say.

We had many more success stories working as a team...both of our dogs worked well with each other as well as their handlers...thanks for the cover and all of the memories, I will always cherish my time on the K9 detail as one of the highlights of my life and most certainly my career...

Cezar...Moose and I wish you the best my friend...have a wonderful retirement and don't forget to throw the kong for your dad every now and then!!!"

->By G. Beamer and Hunter K9-12 on November 22, 2005 - 12:11

"Rick: There are no words as I read why Cezar retired. I am thankful for ALL Cezar and you have done for our community and I am personally saddened. As you have said, he is not just a K9 he is your partner and buddy and I know you will miss him deeply out there. You are in my thoughts and prayers. And yes, he will get use to being a pet."

->By Sharon Gurnaby on November 14, 2005 - 12:11

"I remember listening to the radio the day you and Cezar took part int he bus hijacking. Made us all proud ! So sorry to hear about Cezars hip. From one who's "been there done that" and getting ready to do it again, it's a very tough thing to do. Truth be known, even the Energizer bunny gets a rest. Cezar is due a well deserved one. All my best to you and the team !"

->By Chris Rogers & Bullet on November 14, 2005 - 08:11

"Sorry to hear about Cezar's hip, my dog had hip problems during his last two years of life. I was very sad to lose him.
I hope you and Cezar will have a happy retirement.
All the best
anna"

->By anna harwood on November 08, 2005 - 07:11

"Hi Rick:
I'm sorry to hear about Cezar"s hip problem, I know he will be well taken care of because he is more than just a partner, he's a member of your family. Best wishes to Cezar in his retirement.
Take care,
Kimie"

->By Kimberly Walker-Lopez on November 07, 2005 - 07:11

"Rick,

It's always a hard decision to have to retire your canine partner after spending so much time working together. I hope you continue in the K9 program and Cezar was an assest to your department.

Best wishes to you and Cezar.

Tom"

->By Thomas Kang, Gardena Police on November 06, 2005 - 05:11

"So sorry to hear of this. It's always a sad day when the dog has stay behind and you drive away. I know you miss him as much as he misses the job. They just don't know when to stop when it hurts. We have to stop them for their own well being.
Enjoy your time with him at home now. I Cezar hope adjusts to the new living arraingements soon.
Sincerely,
Deborah & Dobermann, K9 Hector, my partner.
That car is "HIS." 8-)"

->By Deborah Hollingsworth on November 05, 2005 - 04:11

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