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| Last updated August 24, 2006. |
K-9 Crime Fighters
Duke is a male German Shepherd who served in APD's K-9 Patrol from 1996 through 2000.
Originally from Czechoslovakia, he was donated to APD by Bill Milburn in 1996. He had two
handlers: Sgt. Carl Pardinek from 1996-1997 and Officer DJ Lahr from 1998-2000. He was
an excellent patrol canine and possessed all of the qualities K-9 Patrol looks for in a police
dog.
During Duke's career, he captured 115 criminals, including four suspects for attempted
murder, 12 armed robbery suspects, 16 weapon offenses, 14 auto thieves, and nine burglars.
Originally from Czechoslovakia, he was donated to APD by Bill Milburn in 1996. He had two
handlers: Sgt. Carl Pardinek from 1996-1997 and Officer DJ Lahr from 1998-2000. He was
an excellent patrol canine and possessed all of the qualities K-9 Patrol looks for in a police
dog.
During Duke's career, he captured 115 criminals, including four suspects for attempted
murder, 12 armed robbery suspects, 16 weapon offenses, 14 auto thieves, and nine burglars.
Duke (1994-2005)
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| Officer Lahr and Duke |
| Officer Salsbury, his adoptive Dad, with Duke |
Duke attended numerous public events, including the Texas Police Olympics, Austin Citizen's
Police Academy programs, and DARE graduations. Because of his even temperament, Duke
also participated in many demonstrations to educate the public on the important
contributions made by K-9 police officers.
After being diagnosed with a degenerative hip and spine disease in 2000, he retired to a
home on the lake where he lived with another Austin police officer, Sheldon Salsbury, who
was devoted to him. Duke loved to swim in the lake, play with the neighborhood children,
and terrorize the local cats. Duke's original prognosis was dire, but years of swimming in
the lake is credited with extending his life by many years.
Officer Lahr took Duke on a final police patrol ride in a K-9 truck escorted by Officer
Salsbury in a patrol car, both with flashing lights and sirens. Officer Salsbury and his
former handler, Officer Lahr, attended Duke in his final moments on October 6, 2005. A
ceremony honoring Duke was held at Austin police headquarters on October 7, 2005 at
10:30 AM.
Police Academy programs, and DARE graduations. Because of his even temperament, Duke
also participated in many demonstrations to educate the public on the important
contributions made by K-9 police officers.
After being diagnosed with a degenerative hip and spine disease in 2000, he retired to a
home on the lake where he lived with another Austin police officer, Sheldon Salsbury, who
was devoted to him. Duke loved to swim in the lake, play with the neighborhood children,
and terrorize the local cats. Duke's original prognosis was dire, but years of swimming in
the lake is credited with extending his life by many years.
Officer Lahr took Duke on a final police patrol ride in a K-9 truck escorted by Officer
Salsbury in a patrol car, both with flashing lights and sirens. Officer Salsbury and his
former handler, Officer Lahr, attended Duke in his final moments on October 6, 2005. A
ceremony honoring Duke was held at Austin police headquarters on October 7, 2005 at
10:30 AM.
One of Duke's most memorable arrests was when he apprehended a suspect sought by the
U.S. Secret Service for attempted capital murder of a federal agent. The suspect had
evaded officers on foot in the area of East 12th Street. After K-9 was summoned, Officer
Lahr and Duke found the suspect hiding under a car at a residence in the area and
successfully apprehended the suspect.
U.S. Secret Service for attempted capital murder of a federal agent. The suspect had
evaded officers on foot in the area of East 12th Street. After K-9 was summoned, Officer
Lahr and Duke found the suspect hiding under a car at a residence in the area and
successfully apprehended the suspect.
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