Pomona Police K9 Officer Duko (Photo Courtesy: Pomona Police Department)

Staff Reports

Pomona – Officer Duko was a 10-year old Belgian Malinois, who served the City of Pomona – along with his partner, Officer Paul Western – for seven years.

During his career, Officer Duko assisted his partner in a multitude of crime-solving services, including the apprehension of 30 felony suspects, the removal of seven firearms off the street, and the location and clearing of ten suspicious packages or devices.

Officers Duko and Western also had the responsibility of clearing areas of explosive devices for the U.S. Secret Service during President Obama’s visit to the City of Pomona.  This team also provided the valuable service of regularly clearing the L.A. County Fairgrounds, the Rose Bowl and the Rose Parade route before events.

Officer Duko was diagnosed with liver cancer in early December after a checkup with the veterinarian.  He took a turn for the worse last week, and the difficult decision was made to relieve him of his suffering.

The loss of a K9 partner is significant to the Police Department, and even more so to the handler.  Officer Duko, you will be sorely missed.