Rememembering Pasco Rememembering Pasco (August 05, 2005)

Officer Martens reflects on canine cop’s legacy and loss

“Your emotions run the gamut,” said Officer Tim Martens, remembering the death of his canine partner, Pasco. Pasco – known for his zest for police work - died during a training accident last month. “I felt bad for the loss and that his life was cut short when he was in the prime of his career,” said Martens.

Pasco had internal injuries and a broken windpipe after he jumped off a second floor balcony during a training course July 19. The Pleasanton Police Department’s three police dogs were taking part in an off-leash training session at a building site on West Las Positas Road that is frequently used by the police department, said Lieutenant Bob Lyness who oversees the canine program. The dogs were preparing for a combined SWAT-canine training course that was to take place the next day. The upper levels of the building were blocked off, but a volunteer who was helping with the training accidentally propped open a door leading to the second floor, Lyness said. Pasco wandered up to the second floor, unbeknownst to Martens, who then called for Pasco to come. That was when Pasco, eager to obey his commands and not realizing he was on the second floor, jumped from the balcony, Lyness said. He suffered a 25 foot fall.

“I could tell there was something wrong with his back end, but I certainly never thought it was life threatening,” Martens said. “It wasn’t until about five minutes after I got to the vet’s office and the receptionist came out and said he had stopped breathing and they had started doing CPR that I realized the seriousness of the injury.”

Pasco, a 4-year-old German Shepard, was Martens’ second police dog. Martens’ first police dog, Duke, died two years ago of an intestinal disease. Martens’ started working with the police department in 1997, becoming a canine handler in 2000.

“Pasco was hard charged and ready to go,” Martens said. “There was one incident that sticks out where a couple guys had a stolen car. One officer tried to pull them over, but they got away. I got called in the middle of the night and Pasco and I went out after them. After a half-hour, Pasco found one of the guys over by 580.”

The police department is looking into getting a new police dog to round out the canine force, but the process will take at least two months, Lyness said. After they find a dog they want to "hire," the City Council has to pass a resolution approving the decision. The new canine officer will also have to go through a two-week training course, which will then be followed by a weekly training session. All of the police dogs participate in weekly trainings during their entire tenure on the force, Lyness said. A new police dog can cost the city anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 and the two-week training course costs $3,000 or more, Lyness said.

“I feel fortunate that the Chief is offering to let me continue on and get a third dog,” said Martens.

The police department was already redesigning the canine obstacle course and is now considering dedicating the course to Pasco, Martens added. A memorial service will also be held for Pasco later in the summer, but no date has been set yet.

“I’ve gotten a lot of support from the department, the chief and the community,” Martens said. “I’ve received a lot of cards from the community and that made it a lot easier to get through it.” -Rebecca Guyon

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