K-9 officer Dana dies

Dana, the K-9 drug dog, died last week.

K-9 officer

Dana dies

Elmore County Sheriff deputies, Mountain Home city police officers and friends gathered Friday afternoon to say good bye and to share their memories of K-9 Dana. Dana died Aug. 8, 2005, in the arms of her handler, Capt. Mike Barclay.

The German Shepherd first joined the local law enforcement teams in February 1997 after she was purchased through donations from the citizens of Elmore County. Dana and Barclay worked together for eight years both with the Mountain Home Police Department and the Elmore County Sheriff's Office.

She made a strong impact in the Mountain Home School District and in the county. Dana had an amazing arrest record in her eight years of service. She is credited with 65 misdemeanor arrests along with 16 felony arrests. Dana seized a total of $144,830 in cash and had 1024 training finds.

"And she did not have to do the paperwork. She left this up to her handler.

"K-9 Dana was the best partner an officer could have. She was always ready to serve," said Barclay.

"She will be deeply missed by Barclay and his entire family as well as by members of the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Elmore County," said Chief Deputy Nick Schilz. "The sickness took her quickly, so there was not a lot of suffering and pain."

He explained that while K-9 units are a 'working tool' for law enforcement, it is hard not to be emotional.

Barclay offered his sincere thanks to every business, organization, the Mountain Home Fire Department, and to private citizens who donated money to purchase K-9 Dana. "Without a community like this, I would not have had the opportunity to experience and spend eight years with Dana in our fight against drugs in our schools and in the community.

"Dana was one of the best partners that a cop could ever have. She never complained or called in sick, in fact she was always ready to hit the streets whether it was to train or to work.

"She served Elmore County well."