K-9 Program

school fundraising ideas
Donations as of
8/20/2008

Thermometer courtesy of
Fundraiserinsight.org

Officer Christopher Kaupe
and "Django".

SAVE THE DATE:
D'Jango Memorial Run is on
Sept. 28th, 2008.
Download the Event Brochure

Pre-registration deadline Sept. 20th -- Download signup information.

The Cotati Police Department recently lost our K9 "Django" who had been placed into service with us July 2004. Officer Kaupe and his son took D'Jango to a park as they do frequently for some exercise and to play fetch. D'Jango suddenly fell to his side and was found to be in respiratory distress. Officer Kaupe immediately transported D'Jango to the emergency care center in Rohnert Park where the doctors aggressively treated him. While we had hoped for a better outcome, as we all loved him very much, the doctor felt there was virtually no chance for survival. With Officer Kaupe at his side, D'Jango was placed into rest. As you can imagine, Officer Kaupe was devastated by D'Jango's untimely passing, and the police department employees were saddened that our well trained K9 was lost. We set up a small memorial in our lobby as a tribute to D'Jango and have started a fund-raising campaign.

The goal is to raise $40,000 that will be used towards the purchase of a new K9, the necessary training of the K9 and handler which includes narcotic detection and to pay for the medical bills for "Django."

We can assure you that all of the funds donated as a result of this request will be deposited into the Police Department's K-9 account and used solely to cover expenses associated with our program. All of your donations are tax deductible.

Thank you in advance for your support. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our K-9 program handler, Officer Chris Kaupe or Chief Robert Stewart at (707) 792-4611.


Chief Curtis and "Berko"
are the Canine team on
the left (without helmet).

The Cotati Police K9 Program started with the inception of the police department in 1963. The Cotati Police Department had the first full time police K9 in service in Sonoma County. Cotati's first Police Chief, John Curtis, was the handler of the first police K9, "Berko". Berko was a German Shepherd and was frequently at the Chief's side even during administrative duties.


Officer Tony Werner
and "Collin"

In 1996 the Cotati Police Department re-instituted its K9 program when it places "Collin", a Belgian Malinois who was born in Holland on August 19, 1993 into service with his handler, Officer Tony Werner. "Collin" was cross-trained for handler protection and narcotics detection. "Collin" retired from his patrol duties in 2001. He was later purchased from the City of Cotati by Officer Werner and lived with him until "Collin" passed away in 2006.