PSD – RCMP SERVICE DOG – Shado

Regimental Number: #74

Pillar Location: PSD (Plaque 2)

Shado was a male German Shepherd and the son of serving dog Klia, from Kamloops, BC. I obtained him at 8 weeks and raised him, eventually applying to get him into the Force. He grew up to be a black and silver shepherd, weighing 94 pounds. We went into training at Innisfail, AB kennels when he was 22 months. Prior to arriving there, I had him fully trained under the careful tutoring of Sgt. Ken McKay. The only thing he wasn’t doing was drug detection and full-blown attack work. As a result, I spent only 5 ½ weeks of the 14-week program while he completed the syllabus of training. (a record).

Shado became a very aggressive partner but since he was raised at home, he was not only a Force dog but also our family pet and enjoyed being with the other members of the family. He served 8 years, retiring to the family once again and lived an additional year, passing away at age 10.

In November of 1971, four weeks after leaving Innisfail Training Centre, we were on duty at Vancouver, BC Subdivision. There was a request from the Delta City Police to assist in a violent shooting in that community. At the time, they had no canine units.

On arrival at the scene, we were advised that the suspect had taken off on foot along one of the canals in a residential area. We immediately picked up the track and Shado led me for quite a way, when suddenly, he turned into a yard and went right up the back stairs and stood on his hind legs at the door. I advised DCP who went to the door and the occupant came to the door eating a sandwich. On questioning the occupant said he had not seen nor heard anyone. I told Delta Police again, that the dog had tracked the suspect right to the back door. I then circled the house with Shado and noticed through a basement window that there was a person in the basement, very excited, jumping and pointing upstairs. Sure enough, the suspect was upstairs holding the family at gun point! Delta was advised and the suspect was eventually apprehended.

In May of 1974, Shado and I were in the Peace River, AB Sub-Division when a call came in from the Fairview detachment regarding a deranged person walking through Hines Creek area, in and out of stores threatening people with a high-powered rifle. On attending the scene, 1/2 mile out of town, we came upon the suspect and his vehicle parked on the side of the road. One of our unmarked cars was operated by the Section NCO who approached the vehicle, and a struggle occurred between our member and the suspect. Simultaneously, a member and I jumped out of the vehicle to assist in the arrest. Suddenly the suspect came out of the vehicle on the passenger’s side and into the ditch. By this time, I was only about 15 feet from him, and he levelled the gun from the waist and fired. I felt the percussion from the 30.06, turned and immediately ran back to the dog wagon for cover. A second suspect, the driver, came out of the vehicle and grabbed the rifle from the first suspect, his 14-year-old son. While he was chambering a round, I was yelling at him to drop the rifle but to no avail. I then fired a shot hitting him and he dropped to the ground. The son who had fired the first shot, then jumped the fence and took off running out into the field. I got Shado and we took off after him. He had gone into hiding, but Shado winded him and I was able to locate and arrest him. We then found out that the Section NCO Ray Sales had been stabbed. We loaded him in the dog wagon and rushed him to the Fairview hospital where he recovered.

One other lighter case involved a call to the Peace River rural area. Apparently, a farmer had been out cultivating all day and on returning to his vehicle discovered he had lost his wallet somewhere on the 1/2 section of cultivated land. A friend suggested he call the detachment to see if the dog could help. Sure enough, Shado and I attended and began a grid free search. Working him into the wind, within 40 minutes he gave a strong indication and a hit. Sure enough, the wallet was located partially buried. This search and rescue story really got around the community and it was still bar room talk three days later!

Handler Roy Danforth#26170 and PSD #74 SHADO, were a great team and partners, RIGHT TO THE END. DUTY DONE.

Story submitted by Roy Danforth

June 24, 2025

Divisions Served: E, K

Pillar Location: PSD (Plaque 2)

Regimental Number: #74

Training Division: Innisfail, AB

Home Town: Kamloops, BC

Engagement Date: Nov 01, 1971