Mesa Police Canine Handler Working Hard for Memorial
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When it comes to Arizona heroes who have fallen in the line of duty, Gordon Leitz is on a first-name basis with a few.

Like Roscoe, Dax and Hunter, not to mention Murf and Sam.

But as far as the canine handler for the Mesa Police Department is concerned, these four-legged heroes, all now deceased canine officers, have never received the proper due for the sacrifices they've made.

"We used these dogs to save officers' lives and they've given their ultimate by dying, but we've done nothing other than funerals to honor them," said Leitz, a handler for 15 years.

So when someone mentioned a canine memorial might be fitting, Leitz was quick to spearhead the project.

What he envisions is a life-size bronze statue of a German shepherd, mounted on a granite base, with the names of deceased canines, the departments they worked for and the dates of their deaths inscribed below.

And he wants it erected on Wesley Bolin Plaza at the state Capitol.

"There's over 200 canines statewide working for law-enforcement agencies like the various city police departments, county sheriff departments, Arizona Department of Corrections and Department of Public Transportation," he said. "And over the years we've lost 11 of their dogs in the line of duty."

But first he had to have his project presented and approved by the Arizona Police Association.

"We're a very democratic group," said Brian Livingston, executive director of the group.

Sen. Jim Waring, R-Phoenix, was a primary sponsor of a bill in February that would allow such a "Police Canine Memorial," and Gov. Janet Napolitano signed it into law April 5.

Now, all Leitz needs is enough money to commission an artist and build the monument by December 2005.

"We need about $25,000," said Leitz, who is busy organizing fund-raisers. The next one is at Macayo's Mexican Kitchen, 1920 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, on Aug. 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. Twenty percent of all dinner tabs will go to the memorial.

Other donations may be made to the Arizona Police Canine Memorial Fund, Account No. 3520835111 at any Wells Fargo Bank or through Leitz at (480) 226-8769.
 

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