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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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