ACO Voice. Galt Dedicates Memorial to Slain Officers Kevin Tonn and Roy Marcum. January A Monthly Magazine from Animal Control Training Services

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1 January 2015 The ACO Voice A Monthly Magazine from Animal Control Training Services Galt Dedicates Memorial to Slain Officers Kevin Tonn and Roy Marcum The ACO Voice - Page 1

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3 Galt Dedicates Memorial By Jennifer Bonnett, Lodi News-Sentinel The names of the two fallen officers, Sacramento County Animal Control Office Roy Marcum and Galt Police Officer Kevin Tonn, are engraved in the Galt Police Officer Kevin Tonn Fallen Heroes Memorial at Galt City Hall. Marcum was honored with Tonn during the dedication for the memorial at Galt City Hall on Thursday, January 15, The American flag hung from a boom truck as the bagpipes of the Sacramento Firefighters Pipes and Drums echoed down Civic Drive in Galt, reminiscent of a fallen police officer s funeral. Although the day was a somber as Galtonians remembered one of their own officers killed in the line of duty two years ago to the day, it was also a time for celebration. The Officer Kevin Tonn Fallen Heroes Memorial was unveiled and dedicated in a ceremony attended by fellow public safety workers, elected officials, family members and the community at large. The memorial was made possible largely through community donations solicited by the Community Heroes Appreciation Memorial Project, or CHAMP. In addition to Tonn, the city of Galt recognized Sacramento County animal control officer Roy Marcum, killed in Galt on November 28, 2012 just seven weeks before Tonn s January 15, 2013, end of watch. Marcum, who often worked in Galt, was shot when he went to retrieve pets believed abandoned in a foreclosure proceeding. Both of their names are engraved into the memorial, and each was recognized with a wreath-laying ceremony. Tonn was killed while responding to a burglary call. Marcum s killer was recently sentenced to concurrent life terms for his crime. Tonn s killer committed suicide shortly after he shot the officer. Our heroes are forgotten until there s trouble, Mayor Mark Crews said in welcoming the crowd that gathered outside City Hall. Visitors will come to our city and ask, Who are these people? They were members of the law enforcement community... who gave so much and asked for so little. CHAMP, born from a memorial ad hoc committee created to submit ideas on how to honor Tonn and led by Lynn Hutchinson of the Galt Police Department, began fundraising efforts in May Many board members didn t even know Tonn, Hutchinson said. The organization s first fundraiser consisted of CHAMP members standing outside of local stores holding miniature dog houses since Tonn was a K-9 officer. Some pulled out $100 bills and just wanted to talk about Kevin, Hutchinson recalled, adding that the effort raised $2,500. After 20 months, the group had raised $55,000 to fund the memorial; CHAMP split the cost with the city of Galt. In addition to the memorial unveiling under bright blue skies, state Senator Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, unveiled the new highway sign dedicating a portion of State Route 99 to Tonn. The ceremony was also attended by Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, and representatives of state Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, and Congressman Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton. Public safety personnel from across Northern California were also represented, including honor guard members from Concord Police, Placer County Sheriff, Sacramento Fire and Lodi Police departments. Tonn s family, including his parents Will and Mary Ann Tonn and his police dog Yaro, were also present. Tonn s parents publicly thanked those who were put in their lives after their son s untimely death. I never thought Kevin would be killed in the line of duty, Mary Ann Tonn said. It doesn t seem possible Kevin is gone. After two years, it still doesn t seem possible. Although they did not speak, Marcum s widow Tina and adult children also attended. Throughout the ceremony, several speakers made comments about not wanting to have to add names of future fallen heroes to the memorial wall bearing both Marcum and Tonn s names. We need to do everything possible to keep names off this wall, said Crews, himself a retired Galt police officer. The ACO Voice - Page 3

4 ACO Awarded First Marcum Scholarship By Jennifer Bonnett, Lodi News-Sentinel Meredith Weaver loves animals. Before becoming an animal control officer, she worked in the reception area of a veterinary clinic. At age 25, she has been working full-time with the Liberty, Missouri, police department for three years. The city, located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, is roughly the size of Galt. And recently, Liberty shared more than the city s size with Galt when Weaver was awarded the first-ever Roy Marcum Training Scholarship to further her training. The award is named after Roy Marcum, the Sacramento County animal control officer fatally shot in the line of duty in 2012 while responding to a call in Galt. It s difficult for me to find the words to express how I feel whenever I think of what happened to your son, Weaver wrote in a heartfelt letter sent to Marcum s mother, Charlotte Marcum-Rush, who lives in the Sacramento area. I can t begin to imagine what you have gone through these last two years, Weaver continued. Unlike Galt, Liberty is served by two full-time animal control officers, including Weaver. Together, she and her partner are responsible for all of the field duties commonly associated with animal control, as well as the management and upkeep of the municipal animal shelter. In Sacramento County, animal control officers work for the county and animals are sent to a central location in Sacramento. However, Marcum, who lived in Elk Grove, was often dispatched to Galt, where he was well known. The nationwide scholarship overseen by Kansas-based Animal Control Training Services afforded Weaver the opportunity to attend a training course hosted in her area. This particular course was important to her, as it covered materials not typically offered to animal control officers including first aid, firearms safety, fitness and nutrition. I am very passionate about furthering my training and education at every available opportunity, but unfortunately, my city s training budget does not always allow for this, Weaver said in her letter. I was excited to be able to put in a request for this training and tell my supervisor that it was already paid for. Without the Roy Marcum Training Scholarship, I would have been unable to attend. Weaver wrote Marcum-Rush to express her gratitude and support in funding this scholarship. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your passion and caring, not just with regards to this scholarship, but for all you have done to assist the animal control field nationwide since the tragic events surrounding your son s death, Weaver wrote. Among those efforts is last year s successful passage of legislation spearheaded by Marcum-Rush to afford animal control officers the same information on dispatch that police officers receive when sent on a call. With thanks to Assemblywoman Beth Gaines and her staff, we were successful in obtaining access to criminal history information for animal control officers through AB 1511, Marcum-Rush said. The ACOs armed with this important information will be better able to assess and respond appropriately when Continued On Page 6 The ACO Voice - Page 4

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6 Continued From Page 4 investigating animal-related offenses. This will make it safer for them on the street. She was also able to help outfit each Sacramento County animal control officer with bulletproof vests. Until recently, they did not wear them. Marcum-Rush and her supporters are currently searching for an author to reintroduce last year s Senate Bill 1278 which will provide training for ACOs across the state. The training will not only make officers safer, but will better protect both people and animals from harm though more competent enforcement, according to Marcum-Rush. It will also help to raise the bar of professionalism in animal control, reducing the possibility that wellintentioned ACOs could inadvertently violate an animal-owner s rights, she said. Marcum-Rush has received several letters from across the nation telling her that these two bills are needed. I really feel if these bills were in place and my son received the bulletproof vest he requested that he would be here today, she sad. On Thanksgiving, while sitting at the dinner table with her family, Weaver felt compelled to share Marcum s story with them. On November 28, 2012, Marcum was fatally shot by Joseph Francis Corey, 67, when he went to retrieve pets believed abandoned in a foreclosure proceeding. Corey, however, had returned to the house and was waiting at the top of the stairs with a hunting rifle. Corey was found guilty of firstdegree murder on October 30, I assured my own loved ones that should anything ever happen to me in the course of my duties, I wanted them to find peace in the fact that I was doing what I love, Weaver wrote to Marcum-Rush. Your generosity in helping me receive training will not be forgotten, and I hope to eventually pay it forward to other animal control officers. Weaver, who also volunteers for the Missouri Animal Control Association, will be helping teach classes to other animal control officers across the state. Outside of the animal control field, she is also a dancer, a singer and a musician. In addition to playing piano and singing in a jazz/swing band, she plays saxophone for two American Legion Bands, one of which travels all over the Kansas City metropolitan area to perform music and honor veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces. The ACO Voice - Page 6 The following is a copy of Meredith s thank you letter to Ms. Marcum-Rush. Ms. Charlotte Marcum-Rush, Good afternoon. My name is Meredith Weaver, and I am an animal control officer for the City of Liberty, Missouri, which is in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Liberty is a relatively small city, roughly 30,000 residents, served by two full-time animal control officers (including myself) and one part-time shelter administrative clerk. Together, my partner and I are responsible for all of the field duties commonly associated with the ACO position, as well as the management and upkeep of our municipal animal shelter. In November of this year, I was awarded the first-ever Roy Marcum Training Scholarship from Animal Control Training Services (ACTS). This scholarship afforded me the opportunity to attend a training course hosted in my area. This particular course was important to me, as it covered materials not typically offered to ACO's: AED/ CPR certification, first aid, firearms safety, and fitness and nutrition. I am very passionate about furthering my training and education at every available opportunity, but unfortunately, my city's training budget does not always allow for this. I was excited to be able to put in a request for this training and tell my supervisor that it was already paid for. Without the Roy Marcum Training Scholarship, I would have been unable to attend. Ms. Rush, I wanted to reach out to you and express my sincerest gratitude for your kindness and support in funding this scholarship. It's difficult for me to find the words to express how I feel whenever I think of what happened to your son. I can't begin to imagine what you have gone through these last two years. This Thanksgiving, sitting at the dinner table with my family, I felt compelled to share Roy's story with them. I assured my own loved ones that should anything ever happen to me in the course of my duties, I wanted them to find peace in the fact that I was doing what I love. Your generosity in helping me receive training will not be forgotten, and I hope to eventually pay it forward to other ACO's. A bit about me: I am 25 years old and have lived in the Kansas City area all my life. I have been in the ACO position with Liberty for just over three years, and before that I worked reception in a veterinary clinic. I currently work fulltime in the position, as well as volunteer with my state's organization, the Missouri Animal Control Association. I was Continued On Page 8

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8 Animal Control - Dallas Style! Carleen Danka is an Animal Control Officer for the Dallas Police Department in Dallas, Oregon. Within the City of Dallas, Animal Control is a part-time Community Service Officer position, supervised by Lieutenant Jerry Mott of the Dallas Police Department. Patrol officers are available to respond to calls after-hours. Carleen has served as the Dallas ACO for past 21 months. During her tenure, modifications and updates have been made to the animal shelter (new heater, concrete sealing, raised dog beds, new roof, new doors, and modifications to fencing to allow for smaller dogs). Another priority has been to streamline the process of reuniting owners and pets as quickly as possible. The first step in this process focused on licensing. In 2012, an average of 26 licenses per month were issued, increasing in 2014 to an average of 84 per month. The agency now uses Facebook to post impounded dogs and possesses a strong network in the City of Dallas for reposting on other sites. These same resources are utilized for fostering dogs. The agency is also very fortunate to have strong community support that provides the animal shelter with regular donations. Next on the agenda is to research the creation of a dog-run at the shelter and to start some community outreach programs. Carleen is responsible for the animal shelter and responding to animal-related complaints to include: Aggressive or dangerous dog concern Animal hit by car Barking dog disturbance Dog bite Dogs running at-large Educational presentations Neglect or abuse of an animal Because there are no ordinances relating to cats, and because the animal control facility is not equipped to house animals other than dogs, the agency doesn't normally respond to cat-related issues unless animal neglect or abuse is involved. Agency Snapshot Staffing: 1 part-time Animal Control Officer responsible for the city s enforcement needs. Jurisdictions/Population served: City of Dallas, square miles, 3,107 acres, 14,940 citizens, 56 miles of roads statistics (averages/month): 50 calls - these are either handled by AC or after-hours by police officers; 5 animals impounded; 1 citation. Total for 2014: 4 animal bites; 1,532 active dog licenses. The ACO Voice - Page 8 Continued From Page 6 recently voted to the certification committee, and next year will be helping teach classes to other ACO's across the state. I also hope to next year assist Jeff Clemens and John Mays with teaching for ACTS. Outside of the animal control field, I am also a dancer, a singer, and a musician. I play piano and provide vocals for a jazz/swing band called the Overtones of Kansas City. I also play 1st alto saxophone for the American Legion Band of Smithville, which is only a summertime commitment, and 2nd alto sax for the American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City. The Legion Band of Greater KC, especially, is an honor to play with. We travel all over the KC metro area to perform music and honor veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces. Each year we travel to a different major city in the U.S. to compete in the National American Legion Convention band competition. I definitely do not have a lot of free time! I spoke to Jeff Clemens on the phone this morning, and he thought you might appreciate this photo I had sent him to be used in an ACTS newsletter regarding the Roy Marcum Scholarship. Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your passion and caring, not just with regards to this scholarship, but for all you have done to assist the animal control field nationwide since the tragic events surrounding your son's death. I genuinely hope to hear from you soon, and I wish you all the best this Christmas season. Thank you, Meredith Weaver

9 S E R V I C E S A V A I L A B L E ON-SIT E ASSESSM ENT S Want an in-depth analysis of your animal control services? ACTS can evaluate your field, shelter and administrative operations. T R A I N I N G S O L U T I O N S T H A T W O R K F O R Y O U R A G E N C Y. Animal Control Training Services has long recognized the inherent risk and else. We bring the training to the agency, saving taxpayers hundreds of dollars in ANNUAL T RAINING BUDGET Your agency can purchase blocks of training for your staff - you can select the topics later. This is a simple way to annually budget for training. ACO RESO URCES Need sample forms, policies and procedures, and more? Our online resources may help. danger associated with the animal control profession. Officer safety is a priority when dealing with aggressive and dangerous behavior from both animals and humans. Our program is unique in that we offer real life, practical onsite training. ACTS training is specific to animal control officers focusing on officer safety and professional service at an affordable price. The ACTS training model is a bit different than everyone travel related expenses. You can even build a program based upon what you feel your agency or staff would most benefit from. Pick and choose the topics and the number of days for training. We are flexible in our offerings. Our fees are all-inclusive there are no hidden fees. We also encourage surrounding agencies to attend in order to keep everyone's cost low. Download our training catalog at Animal Control Training Services Tel info@aco-acts.com W W W. A C O - A C T S. C O M The ACO Voice - Page 9

10 ACTS Training Schedule For a registration form, visit or call Training Course for Animal Control Professionals February 23-26, Battle Mountain, Nevada Basic Animal Control Officer Investigations; Field Reports and Evidence Collection; Courtroom Presentation and Procedures; Tactical/Interpersonal Communication; Officer Safety and Self Defense; Animal Diseases and Shelter Sanitation Procedures; Rabies and Quarantine Procedures; Identification of Injuries/Emergency Care for Animals; An Introduction to Humane Animal Euthanasia; Safe Animal Handling/Capture and Restraint Equipment; Stress Management for Animal Control Professionals; The Role of the Professional ACO Animal Control Protective Equipment Certification February 26-27, Middletown, California Baton/Bitestick Certification; Pepper Spray Certification Animal Control Officer Specialized Training Course March 9-11, North Kansas City, Missouri Illegal Animal Fighting; Understanding the Link in Animal Abuse; Basic Animal Control Officer Investigations; Performing Animal Exhibitor Inspections; Understanding the ADA & Service Animals for ACO s and LEO s Officer Safety for Animal Control Professionals March 19-20, Green Bay, Wisconsin Tactical/Interpersonal Communication; Safe Handling of Aggressive and Dangerous Dogs Kentucky Animal Care and Control Association Annual Training Conference March 25-27, Lexington, Kentucky Presented by ACTS: Tactical/Interpersonal Communication; Officer Safety and Self-Defense; Safe Handling of Aggressive and Dangerous Dogs Officer Safety for Animal Control Professionals April 6-10, Taos, New Mexico Tactical/Interpersonal Communication; Baton/Bitestick Certification; Pepper Spray Certification; Safe Handling of Aggressive and Dangerous Dogs; Chemical Immobilization Certification; Safe Animal Handling/Capture Restraint Equipment; Stress Management; The Role of the Professional ACO Training Course for Animal Control Professionals April 27-28, Chelmsford, Massachusetts Safe Handling of Aggressive and Dangerous Dogs; Interview and Investigation Techniques; Investigative Techniques for Cruelty and Neglect Complaints Animal Control Protective Equipment Certification May 11-14, North Kansas City, Missouri Baton/Bitestick Certification; Pepper Spray Certification; Arrest and Control Certification; Taser Certification; Chemical Immobilization Certification The ACO Voice - Page 10