Safety of our families and the community is crucial to a successful community.
The Port Angeles Police Department recognizes its mission to serve in a compassionate, courteous, and professional manner, to promote freedom and peace of mind, pride in our neighborhoods, and the safety for all citizens.
PASSING OF K-9 ARCO
On October 15th, 2007 at 0113 hours Port Angeles Police Officers were dispatched to a vehicle prowl in-progress in the 100 block of West 7th Street. Witnesses saw the suspects flee the area in a passenger car and provided a description. When officers arrived in the area, two suspects were seen in a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description.
A short pursuit ensued for several blocks. Ultimately the suspects abandoned their vehicle in the middle of a resident's yard. The vehicle contained the stolen audio equipment. The area was quickly contained for a K-9 track of the suspects.
K-9 Handler Cpl. Kevin Miller and his K-9 partner, Arco, were deployed to track the suspects. A short time into the track, Arco collapsed. It was later determined that he had suffered a stroke. He was rushed for medical treatment, and Arco appeared to have rebounded and was back on his feet. However, over the next week it was evident that he was not the same.
On October 18th, 2007 he was taken to the veterinarian for a further exam. X-rays revealed that Arco had an enlarged heart and was officially retired the following day. Arco's condition rapidly deteriorated and he was put to rest on November 9th, 2007, only sixteen days before completing 11 years of service for the City of Port Angeles.
Arco sustained numerous injuries over the years. The most significant was the loss of two canine teeth and a fractured rib from various confrontations with suspects. In almost 11 years of work he never missed a day.
During the course of his career, Arco recorded 362 felony apprehensions as well as locating evidence that lead to both felony and misdemeanor convictions. Arco was cross-trained for narcotics and was responsible for hundreds of drug finds.
He was deployed throughout the entire Olympic Peninsula and rendered K-9 support for various law enforcement agencies. His accolades include the apprehension of a murder suspect, numerous accreditations, certifications, and "Top-Dog" awards.
Arco was the Port Angeles Police Departments first K-9 team, established in 1996, largely in part to a generous donation by the Atlantic Richfield Corp (ARCO) and the strong support of City Councilman/former Mayor Gary Braun and former Police Chief Stephen Ilk.
The unit was expanded to a second K-9 team in 2002, K-9 Handler Allen Brusseau and K-9 Kilo. The financial support for the second team came from a generous contribution from a private donor.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to help support the Port Angeles Police K-9 Unit can contact Liz Zenonian, Port Angeles Police Department Records Supervisor at 360-417-4910.
The service of K-9 Arco was recognized by video presentation and special proclamation at the November 20 City Council Meeting.
POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT FOR NEW POLICE DOG British Petroleum (BP) donated $10,000 to the Port Angeles Police K-9 Unit for the purchase of a new police dog. K-9 Arco, the Department's first K-9, died in November 2007 after completing nearly 11 years of service to the community.
The $10,000 grant money was used to purchase a new dog and provide training for the dog and handler Corporal Kevin Miller of the Port Angeles Police Department. The search for the new dog involved a careful selection process over the next several months coordinated by Corporal Miller to find K-9 Jag.
Pictured left to right:
Chief Terry Gallagher, Rick Satava of Alaska Tanker Company, Bill Kidd of BP,
K-9 Kilo and Officer Brusseau.
Click photo to view larger image size.
Presentation of the check was made at the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Monday, December 17, 2007 at the Crab House Restaurant in Port Angeles. Bill Kidd, BP Government and External Relations Manager and Rick Satava, Scheduling Manager for Alaska Tanker Company will be presenting the check to Chief Terry Gallagher of the Port Angeles Police Department. Accompanying Chief Gallagher was Officer Allen Brusseau, and K-9 Kilo.
BP markets gasoline under the ARCO am/pm brands and BP is part owner of the Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) which operates tankers that bring crude oil from Alaska. ATC vessels are regular customers of the Port of Port Angeles where they get routine maintenance and other services.
The City and the Port Angeles Police Department are extremely grateful to BP and Alaska Tanker Company for this generous donation to ensuring the safety of the public and our community. Port Angeles City Council formally accepted the donation at their December 18th meeting.
Learn more about the life and service of K9 Arco.....
Arco sustained numerous injuries over the years. The most significant was the loss of two canine teeth and a fractured rib from various confrontations with suspects. In almost 11 years of work he never missed a day. 
Arco was the Port Angeles Police Departments first K-9 team, established in 1996, largely in part to a generous donation by the Atlantic Richfield Corp (ARCO) and the strong support of City Councilman/former Mayor Gary Braun and former Police Chief Stephen Ilk. 
Thank you Corporal Miller and K-9 Arco.
