Andrea Rosebrock 
Last week, one of the FBI working dogs, Freddy, was killed in the line of duty while federal agents raided the hideout of men suspected of involvement with an organized crime ring and who were also allegedly part of a radical Islamic sect. Freddy was killed in the crossfire exchanged by the agents and suspects.
Freddy was flown by helicopter to the Veterinary Emergency Service in Madison Heights, Illinois. The helicopter landed right in front of the hospital, stopping traffic and startling people as Freddy was rushed inside for treatment. It was too late.
Freddy, a Belgian Malinois, was born in February 2007 and received law enforcement training at Quantico, Va. He joined the FBI in September 2008. In a statement, the FBI memorialized Freddy saying, “In the line of duty, Freddy gave his life for his team. He will be missed by his FBI family.”
The agency plans to hold a memorial service for Freddy at the Bureau’s headquarters in Quantico, Virginia, and will have his name added to their memorial wall.
Working dogs for law enforcement are highly trained and are intensely loyal to their handlers. They live with their 
handlers as part of the family. They even go on vacation with the family. But keep in mind that these dogs are not household pets. They have a job, and it’s the toughest job in the world for any animal. Police dogs trained to subdue violent suspects are trained in aggression and this training includes how to keep this aggression in check. If you have even been on the wrong end of a police or protection dog, it will take you less than 2 seconds to see a force you’re not likely to mess with.
At any given day, there are thousands of police dogs on the job. And hundreds of police dogs have given their lives to protect and serve.
Across the country, there are many memorial sites dedicated to working law enforcement dogs killed in the line of duty. There are about 15 states have police dog memorials, mostly on the campuses of veterinary schools. A few are:
“Ready to Serve” – the Virginia Law Enforcement K-9 Memorial outside the Virginia-Maryland Regional School of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Recently unveiled, it honors police dogs in Virginia that have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The Miami-Dade Police K-9 Memorial - dedicated on August 14, 2009 at Tropical Park to memorialize and honor all of the police canines that have served Miami-Dade County and the seven that died serving the citizens of Miami-Dade County.
The Arizona Police K-9 Memorial – unveiled and dedicated on April 7th, 2006, at the Wesley Bolin Plaza. The purpose of the memorial is to honor Arizona Police K-9’s who gave their life in the line of duty. Names of the canines are listed who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and have died in service, along with the poem Guardians of the Night.
At the Connecticut Work Dog Association website, there is a list of police dog memorials across the country. These also include memorials to military working dogs. Check out the ones around or in your state.
Engraved on a walkway in front of the sculpture of the new memorial at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech are the words, “So that you may live, my life is yours.”
It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
It is only appropriate that all police dogs should be remembered and honored for their courageous acts to risk their lives in the line of duty. To Freddy and all those brave dogs who risked their lives in the name of duty, you will be deeply remembered and may you rest in peace. Thank you very much.
This is so sad. He was just a young lad. May he rest in peace.
Is there anyway we can get these comments to his partner that lost his best friend on the job and to the force. If so, please add my name to it.
Anyone who wants to send a card to Freddy’s team members, can be sent to Freddy’s Team, c/o FBI, 477 Michigan Ave., 26th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226.
Andrea, thanks for the address and the tribute story. I have a special fondness and place in my heart for working dogs, whether service, police, etc., they are heroes everyday!
D.
Mine too, please : (
one of my good friends lost his to a bad guy a few years back in norfolk, va…its very hard on them to loose their partner….i had a retired police dog (my ex’s) it was hard enough for me just to loose him to old age..but to have them taken so abruptly and such a young age is so hard…they are more than just partners, they are their pets, even their children!!! my heart goes out to his partner!!!!
K 9 officers are certainly special dogs – dogs who we entrust as citizens, and share the same kind of love that we all share with our babies with their own handlers, who have become family to them.
I do not think there is enough publicity in the news as to how wonderful these canines are.
Although it is such a sad story, and poor Freddy, RIP young one, but you died doing what you do best, and for the sake of all US citizens.
I agree with all that has been said. Thank you for the address to send a card.
So sad, Freddy will always be remembered. Canine dogs such a great job. My son lives next door to a policemen that has a Canine dog, his name is Mackie. He is such a great dog and gets along well with his kids too, but he does know what his job is. He is such a beautiful dog too. Hats off to all those Canines that have police work to do. They do get lots of love though. Too bad more of these black muslems couldn’t have been killed to save poor Freddy. RIP Freddy, God will take care of you now.
Rest in Peace Freddy and be happy and safe and well at the Bridge. Your sacrifice is as great as any other who protects and serves. Thanks for posting the address for others Andrea.
A brief note, this occured in Dearborn, MI and the Emergency Veterinary Hospital Freddy was helicoptered to is in Madison Heights, MI. They do superb work, and have save many so just want them to get correct credit. Here is another link from one of our local papers with a really great picture of Freddy.
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/10/fbi_dog_that_died_in_sunni_mos.html
THANKS for running this story D…in all of the racist and hate mail and articles that have been run over this tragedy, Freddy’s life seems to have been lost.
RIP Dear Freddy my heart is with you.Prayers to your partner and all who knew you.
Awww Freddy…what a good boy. You did your job and did it well. May God hold you in his arms, while YOU grieve the loss of your master and may the angels wrap you softly in their wings while you enter onto the Rainbow Bridge. We are all very proud of you and the bravery you showed giving your life in the line of duty. I’m so sorry your human family has lost such a wonderful member of THEIR family as well as the FBI’s family. Thank you again, for your bravery.