K9 Credo and the LBPD K9 Unit
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On June 28, 2016, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) sadly lost one of their own. K9 Credo was shot and killed in the line of duty by a barricaded felon during a SWAT operation. Credo’s passing followed a shocking string of canine deaths in the USA. Everyone invloved was deeply hurt, including the department, the SWAT team, and most of all, his handler Ofc. Mike Parcells. However, in the months that followed, the whole department moved forward in an awe-inspiring way.
The Long Beach PD K9 Unit has now outfitted all of their dogs with custom-fit K9 Storm Patrol Swat Vests. The Patrol Swat Vest minimizes the potential target areas on your dog while protecting their vital organs. Our custom-fit process allows the dogs to maintain full mobility and agility, giving them the ability to wear the vests for all calls of service. The vests were generously donated to the K9 Unit by the Long Beach K-9 Officers Association.
We are proud to be able to help protect these dogs, and are amazed by the resolve that the LBPD has shown in the wake of Credo’s death.
Ofc. Parcells has a new K9 partner too. After carefully selecting the new dog from an Indiana based kennel, undergoing over 200 hours of rigorous training, and building up the trust necessary to make an outstanding team, Ofc. Parcells is back on the streets with his new partner.
The dog’s name you ask? “Storm”.
Could there be anything more fitting? Storm is set to get his own K9 Storm Vest in the new year once he becomes full grown.
Although no longer with us, Credo’s memory will never be forgotten. After hearing about the dog’s passing, a local California girl, Kealani Rathburn, only 14 years of age, drew a beautiful tribute piece honoring Credo’s life. “I was kind of blown away by it,” Ofc. Parcells describes. In the end, Ofc. Parcells liked the design so much he tattooed the artwork on his chest, his new guardian angel to watch over him and Storm in the field.
We wish nothing but the best for the LBPD K9 Unit, Ofc. Parcells, and Storm in 2017. May they continue to do their job and come home safely.