Fall River, two others, graduate from canine academy; Somerset woman honored

DARTMOUTH — Law enforcement officers and community heroes with two and four legs were honored at the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Friday during a canine graduation ceremony in which police dogs from BCSO and the Fall River Police Department marked the end of the patrol and explosive detection academies.

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 80 officers, police chiefs, family and friends from across the region filled a function room at the Sheriff’s Office to celebrate the accomplishments of BCSO Canine Deputies Kenny Almeida and his partner Will, Mike Bettencourt and his partner Kofy, and Fall River Police Officer Zach Dupere and his partner Lucky.

“The people of Fall River and Bristol County are safer today than they were yesterday,” Bristol County Special Sheriff Bruce Assad told crowd. “That’s because of the hard work, dedication and professionalism of these three amazing officers.”

Deputy Almeida and Will, and Officer Dupere and Lucky, both completed the explosive detection program after almost 500 hours of training over 12 weeks. Both Lucky, a black lab, and Will, a German shepherd, can detect the chemicals inside components used to make explosives. Over the past 12 weeks, both dogs and their handlers have successfully completed more than 600 hides, in which an officer will hide explosive components in various environments and the dog will find them.

Deputy Almeida and Will also trained to detect firearms and ammunition, spending more than 120 hours detecting the components contained in handguns, rifles, other weapons and ammunition. They will be nationally certified by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms next month.

“My passion for this comes from a personal loss of a friend who died over seas in an explosion,” Deputy Almeida said. “If we prevent one death, or find one weapon or explosive, because of our training, it’s a win for everyone.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of academy mates,” Officer Dupere said. “I’m proud to bring these skills back to serve the people and the community of Fall River.”

Albert Dupere, chief of the Fall River Police Department, spoke about the partnership between the agencies and how far the Fall River canine program has come.

“We started with two dogs and now we’re up to five,” he told the crowd on Friday. “This program gives people in the community a sense of security. These partnerships are so important to us and the people of Fall River and Bristol County.”

The graduation marked a new beginning for Deputy Bettencourt. His first partner, Ryker, retired last year after several years of service to the BCSO, and this marks Kofy’s graduation to a full-time patrol dog. He will be used to track suspects, search buildings and locate missing persons, among other duties.

“I’m very proud of the work we do and what we’ve accomplished,” Bettencourt said. “My family has been beside me every step of the way. I can’t thank them enough.”

Friday’s ceremony also contained several special honors for members of local law enforcement and people in the community who have supported canine programs.

· Bristol County Superintendent Steven Souza presented a special plaque to New Bedford Police Department Canine Officer Dean Lawrence, who lost his partner, Dago, earlier this year after a long career. “Dean and Dago tracked numerous suspects, located many firearms and evidence and helped keep the streets of New Bedford more safe for a long time,” Souza said. “And Dean was instrumental in getting the New Bedford PD to join the Bristol County canine training group.”

· Officers Almeida and Dupere honored the Quinn family from Standard Marine on Pope’s Island in New Bedford. Charlie II, Charlie III and Michael Quinn donated two explosive and firearms safes for Almeida and Dupere’s cruisers. “These safes put us in compliance with ATF regulations for handing explosives,” Almeida said. “Canine programs rely on donations, and kind people like the Quinn family make it possible.”

· Almeida also took a minute to offer some remarks to the family of Dolores and William Costa. Mr. Costa passed away around three years ago, and as an animal lover, his family wanted to make a donation to the Bristol County canine program in his honor. Almeida’s partner, Will, is named after Mr. Costa. Mrs. Costa passed away in February of this year. The Dartmouth couple and their family are dear friends of the BCSO canine program. When Almeida and Will graduated from the patrol academy, the family came to the ceremony with big smiles on their faces, and Mrs. Costa had a special bag of goodies for Will. “Mr. and Mrs. Costa were very close to all of us,” Almeida said to one of Mrs. Costa’s daughters at the graduation. “I’m very proud, and it’s an honor, to carry the family name forward.”

· Somerset Police Canine Officer Jared Linhares presented a special plaque to Kathy Costa, owner of Katz Pet Supplies on Route 6 in Somerset. Katz donates all the dog food for every four-legged officer from Somerset PD, Fall River PD, New Bedford PD and the Sheriff’s Office. “She has no idea how important that is to us,” Linhares said. “She’s amazing. We all owe her so much.”

Kathy Costa, owner of Katz Pet Supplies on Route 6 in Somerset, was honored during the graduation for donating all the dog food for all Somerset PD, New Bedford PD, Fall River PD and Bristol County Sheriff’s Office canines. She is pictured with many of her biggest fans. [Photo courtesy of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office]

Law enforcement from near and far attended the ceremony. Joining Chief Dupere from Fall River was Chief Michael Myers from Fairhaven, Chief George McNeil from Somerset and Chief Joao Chaves from Halifax, formerly of the New Bedford PD.

The canine training academy utilizes many different locations across the region to make sure the dogs are trained in a variety of environments. On behalf of the Fall River Police Department and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, we would like to thank the following local businesses and organizations who allowed our officers to use their locations for training: Nopper Marine, A-1 Crane, Fairhaven School Department, Fall River School Department, Frank Corp., Boys and Girls Clubs of Fall River and New Bedford, Saint Vincent’s, Liberty Utilities, Fall River State Pier, Standard Marine, East Coast Fabrications, New Bedford Municipal Airport and Colonial Air and Sandpiper Air, Couto Construction, DPM Development, Shawn St. Aubin Enterprises, Southcoast Towing, Tony’s Auto Body and the New Bedford School Department.

Fall River Police Officer Zach Dupere and his partner, Lucky, left, take a minute to say hi to Fall River Detective Jeff Autote and his partner, Roxy, during some recent training. Roxy and Lucky are half siblings. [Photo courtesy of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office]