a truly noble public servant. Hunter, the 14 year old German
Shepherd who was a lifelong partner to Sgt. Ernie Beitel, passed away
on June 4, 2012. He served from 2000-2008 with the Beltrami County
Sheriff's Office.
In 2000, Sgt. Ernie Beitel, who had a vision of
building a successful Community Owned K9 Division for the Sheriff's
Office, successfully wrote a Minnesota Department of Public Safety
grant ($5,000.00) to purchase a narcotics detection dog. He then
began, along with many hours of assistance from his wife Colleen, a
letter writing campaign to raise the remaining money (over $26,000.00
was donated from various citizens and others) to offset the costs of
training a dog. In addition, the money raised was used as seed money
to fund additional dogs. The Nielson Foundation also contributed
$25,000 towards the purchase of a specially trained drug interdiction
dog as part of this eventual group of 4, to include Bosco, Kayos and
Chris.
Hunter was the first of this outstanding team of dogs.
He was originally owned by a young doctor and his family in Iowa who
discovered that Hunter was cut out for greater things in life. His
life as a K9 public servant began when he and Sgt. Beitel met when
Hunter was 15 months old in August of 2000. Together they spent 14
weeks in training with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Canine
Program. On their initial working shift as active duty partners in
December of 2000, Hunter made his first felony arrest by tracking and
locating an automobile thief. Thus began a stunning career and
shining example for the dogs that would join the team.
Hunter was a dual purpose dog trained in both
apprehension as well as narcotics detection and was part of many
arrests and successful prosecutions. He was an enthusiastic and
fearless partner who provided many hours of search and rescue missions
and assistance to the citizens of Beltrami County as well as
surrounding agencies. In addition, he won many awards in field
trials over the years.
Hunter retired in June 2008 when he began to suffer
from hip dysplasia. That same spring before retirement, Deputy Dan
Rockensock, along with his K9 partner, and Sgt. Beitel, along with
Hunter, traveled to a Narcotics Field Trial held in Edina. Dan's
dog scored 1st place and Hunter finished 11th in a field of more than
50 dog teams. His heart and mind were still focused on his job as a
highly trained public servant.
Hunter spent his last four years in retirement with his beloved
partner, Sgt. Beitel and his family. He enjoyed hanging out with his
dog buddies, Jake and Reegan, even though he was always the protector
and in charge of all things dogs should be doing well in life. When
he lost his hearing, Sgt. Beitel was able to communicate with him
using the hand signals learned at K9 school. Hunter never forgot the
oath that K9 dogs adhere to, just as law enforcement officers do, and
that was to "protect and serve". Even to the end, when he was tired
and in so much pain that it was time to die with dignity, he did his
best to continue in his role as a protector and comrade to his
partner.
The Beitel family will forever miss Hunter and the joy and dedication
he brought into their lives. They, along with the Beltrami County
Sheriff's Office, would like to thank all of the citizens and
businesses that have donated to the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
K9 Program. Special thanks goes to Pets Plus for food and care
products, the Beltrami County Humane Society who raised the money to
buy Hunter body armor, the Nielson Foundations and all the others who
supported this team allowing them to serve our citizens with
professionalism and pride.
Lord Byron probably said it best in his inscription on the monument of
his beloved Newfoundland dog, "near this spot are deposited the
remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without
insolence and courage without ferocity". Thank you Hunter for your
service-End of watch June 4, 2012.
Mrs. Beryl Wernberg
911 Supervisor/Emergency Management Director
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
Bemidji MN 56601
218-333-8320 (office) 218-755-9322 (fax)
beryl.wernberg@co.beltrami.mn.us<mailto:beryl.wernberg@co.beltrami.mn.us>
Pager 218-759-7560 or 218-333-9111
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