Published: June 20, 2009 12:01 am      

Remembering Ranger

Search, rescue dog served communities

CLINTON — Emergency K-9 Operations, Inc. Search and Rescue dog, Ranger, worked with Clinton Police Officer Cpl. Joe Raaymakers for more than 10 years before passing away May 2.

Ranger was not the average golden retriever as he helped with numerous death and fire investigations in the Midwest.

Ranger was adopted in April 1999 by Raaymakers specifically for search work. He was a founding member of Emergency K-9 Operations, Inc., a 501c3 search group based in Clinton County. He also was available at law enforcement request.

Ranger received years of special training, including private instruction from Lois Hall of Clinton. He also attended training at the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthological Research Facility and the Body Farm, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Ranger was certified in land and water cadaver search, articles and evidence work and area search. He was a certified accelerant detector dog with the United States Police Canine Association and could locate 16 flammable liquids in a fire scene. He also was certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association to locate human remains.

Ranger helped with homicide and death investigations and fire scene investigation in numerous cities including Clinton, Clear Lake, LeClaire, Rock Island, Ill., and Fort Wayne, Ind.

Ranger also was a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs Inc. and regularly visited the Morrison Hospital’s Skilled Care Unit in Morrison, Ill.

Ranger made nearly 100 appearances at local schools, churches, pet fairs, the Chicago Dog Show, Boy Scout meetings, corporate safety days, the Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center, Safety Town, National Night Out, Kids Day America, community organizations, law enforcement and fire safety events and fundraisers.

When he wasn’t busy helping police and fire officials, Ranger enjoyed family life with Joe and Sarah Raaymakers and their children, Stone, Payton and Tanner.