NewsWatch: 2009: K-9 Memorial

[Narrator:] From the University of California at Davis, this is NewsWatch.

[Paul Pfotenhauer:] Several law enforcement agencies in California have come here to UC Davis to honor police dogs who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

[Paul Pfotenhauer:] Since 2002, 11 more California police dogs have died while pursuing suspects.

[Paul Pfotenhauer:] Retired L.A.P.D. K-9 Officer John Lopata who lost his dog, "Rooster" nearly 28 years ago, still thinks of his faithful partner every day.

[John Lopata, Retired, LAPD Officer:] Certain things will trigger memories certain times when I reminiscing about the job, I'll think about what happened and how the dog died. It comes up quite often.

[Paul Pfotenhauer:] The UC Davis vet school is home to the "Faithful Partner" memorial. Many police dogs injured on the job are treated here.

[Dr. Stan Marks, UC Davis Veterinarian:] The veterinary medical teaching hospital here at UC Davis is a really, really unique environment. And we are very fortunate to have a large group of experts who are advanced in their training in medicine, surgery and a variety of other disciplines that require advanced medical or surgical intervention.

[Paul Pfotenhauer:] UC Davis K-9 officer Walt Broussard says losing a dog is terribly painful.

[Super: Walt Broussard, UC Davis K-9 Officer:] It's very devastating to lose a K-9 in the line of duty. He's the first in and the last out.

[Paul Pfotenhauer:] The memorial plaque currently displays the names of 23 dogs that ended their watch. Paul Pfotenhauer, reporting from UC Davis.

[Narrator:] For more information please log on to broadcast.ucdavis.edu.