When a name is given, it’s often believed that it’s meaning will be fulfilled by the recipient. Redondo Beach Police made no mistake in naming one of their best K9 police dogs Valor. A dog of courage, Valor spent the last three and a half years of his brief police career with handler Officer Ken Greenleaf leading the way. In that time he valiantly tackled wrong-doers and sniffed out narcotics to save the day.
He showed true dedication to his work on July 30, 2007 when he was sent to bring down suspect Jimmy Lunceford who had repeatedly made death threats to a family member. During the scuffle, Lunceford took a knife to Valor’s neck and Valor sustained multiple stab wounds. Luckily, Valor was rushed to the animal hospital and survived the attack.
Unfortunately, though brave as a bear, Valor could not fend off the impending kidney failure that kept him ill this past year. In 2008, while at the Ventura County Police K-9 Trial in Camarillo, Valor showed the first visible signs of illness. Concerned, Greenleaf took Valor in to get tested. It was then that Greenleaf first found out about Valor’s kidney problems. The condition was under control until about two weeks ago. The Daily Breeze reported that at that point Valor’s kidneys failed and he suffered temporary blindness.
He spent the next two weeks on an intravenous drip to help sustain him just a bit longer. On Wednesday, December 2, Valor could no longer keep going. Officer Greenleaf made the difficult decision that every pet parent dreads and determined that it was time to let Valor go in peace. Wednesday afternoon, Greenleaf gathered with his wife and parents for Valor’s last moments.
“When you get a dog, you know they are going before you,” Greenleaf told The Daily Breeze, “You mentally have to be prepared.”
The five year old German shepherd took his final police patrol car ride on Tuesday evening. Greenleaf wanted to give him “One last ride,” he told The Daily Breeze. At 3:05PM, Valor’s long time partner and best friend stood by Valor as he fell asleep and left this world.
Valor leaves behind an unmatched legacy. He’s won first place four years in a row in the Ventura County Police K-9 Trial. Overall, according to the City of Redondo Beach website, he’s earned seven Trial Championships, a Narcotics Championship and four Gold Medals at the World Police and Fire Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Interestingly, Valor was born in Czechoslovakia in October of 2004. Originally named “Rojben”, Greenleaf renamed him Valor when he became a part of the Redondo Beach Police Department’s Canine Team in 2006.
i Love Dogs was lucky enough to meet Valor just this past Halloween at the Redondo Beach Dog Park Halloween Hoedown where Valor wowed audiences and left our K9 correspondent Shelby starstruck.
Valor will be terribly missed.
The City of Redondo Beach asks that any comments or questions about Valor, his passing, or the Canine Team be directed to Lieutenant Todd Heywood, the Unit Manager at (310) 379-2477, ext. 2656. The Redondo Beach Police rely on donations to acquire police dogs and to pay their medical needs. Valor’s medical costs came close to $6,000. To make a donation to the Canine Team in Valor’s name, contact the Redondo Beach Police Canine Donation Fund, in care of Lieutenant Todd Heywood, Redondo Beach Police Department, 401 Diamond St., Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
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