PRESS RELEASE
To: NEWSROOM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian Crawford; 673-6652, cell 455-2609

August 11, 2006 - Fire Department’s First
Arson K-9 to be laid to Rest

The Shreveport Fired Department’s first hydrocarbon detecting (arson) K-9 will be laid to rest next week after succumbing to age related illnesses last month.

“Jack” a Yellow Labrador Retriever was sworn into the department in 1992 and quickly became a dependable and reliable source of determining whether or not an petroleum based accelerant had been used at a fire scene.

Anytime that the investigator (arson) felt there was probable cause that a fire may have been intentionally set, Jack was brought in to verify if an accelerant, such as gasoline, had been used. When Jack “hit” on a substance in a burnt structure, he would strike his paw repeatedly, signaling to his trainer the use of hydrocarbons. Jack is credited with investigating more than 500 fires and helping bring countless criminal arsonists to justice.

Jack was retired in 2000 and spent the last six years with Marian Baker. Baker, a Shreveport city employee, worked down the hall from the Fire Investigations office in the City Hall Annex, where Jack was housed. After Jack’s handler of 6 years, Investigator Fred Sanders was tasked with preparing a new K-9 to replace him, Baker asked Sanders and Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran to become Jack’s custodian. Both agreed.

Without question Jack’s contribution to the fire department was significant and contributed to the overall safety of the community and for that we owe him our thanks.

Funeral services for Jack are Monday, August 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Fire/Police Training Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road. The service is open to the public. ####