K-9 PATROL DOG DIES; CAMARILLO LOSES HERO.

Byline: Daily News

The city lost a tireless and valiant soldier in the war on crime Wednesday when K-9 patrol dog Pascha Vom Kassler Kreuz died.

His partner, Deputy Joe Rivas, called him Pascha. The highly trained 6-year-old dog spent most of his career sniffing out drugs and suspects in Ventura and Camarillo. He received awards at K-9 competitions throughout the state, and was specially trained in drug detection and hard-surface suspect tracking.

Pascha never failed to obey his partner, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Capt. Haskell W. Chandler. In one case, the dog followed a suspect down a 60-foot cliff, found the lawbreaker and held him until his partner arrived with the handcuffs.

The sheriff's K-9 program manager has requested that anyone wishing to make donations in remembrance of Pascha send them to: Ventura County Sheriff's K-9 Trust. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at any sheriff's station. Donations can be sent to the Camarillo Station at 3701 E. Los Posas Road, Camarillo, CA 93010.