ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. -- Baddy, a 28th Security Forces Military Working Dog, died on December 6 after severe medical complications. He turned 10 this month.

Baddy was assigned to Ellsworth on April 9, 1999. During his seven-year military career the German Shepherd supported the US Secret Service and US State Department for the protection of the President, Vice President, First Lady and numerous key foreign leaders on visits across the country.

Tech. Sgt. William King, 28 Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, said Baddy was trained to attack bad guys without malice and worked in conjunction with other dogs to get the job done.

Baddy also served as a vital asset to all branches of the service across the Area of Responsibility (AOR) in Iraq and other locations with finding explosive components and insurgents, ensuring protection of military and civilian personnel across the AOR for which he was assigned.

"Baddy was a 'tough nut', he was trained for explosive searches and conduct searches for hidden individuals," Sergeant King said.

Baddy was even certified through the North American Police Working Dog Association for his work in tracking and trailing, which set an example to security forces personnel here how dogs go above and beyond their expected duties.

Baddy's overall significance to the base and areas abroad insured a safe incident free operational environment and overall safe working area for military members to serve under a safe blanket of operation.

Ashes of deceased military working dogs at Ellsworth are retrieved. Security forces personnel also honor the dogs with a ceremony where they are put to rest in the kennel areas.

When handlers pick up their dogs for work, they can see and honor their four-legged friends who served, Sergeant King said.


Guardians Of The Night
Author - Unknown

Trust in me my friend for I am
your comrade. I will protect you
with my last breath When all
others have left you And the
loneliness of the night closes
in, I will be at your side.

Together we will conquer all
obstacles, And search out
those who might wish harm to
others. All I ask of you is
compassion, The caring touch
of your hands. It is for you that I
will unselfishly give my life And
spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together
May be marked by the passing
of the seasons Know that each
day at your side is my reward.

My days are measured by The
coming and going of your
footsteps. I anticipate them at
every opening of the door. You
are the voice of caring when I
am ill. The voice of authority
when I've done wrong.

Do not chastise me unduly For
I am your right arm, The sword
at your side. I attempt to do
only what you bid of me. I seek
only to please you and remain
in your favor.
Together you and I shall
experience A bond only others
like us will understand When
outsiders see us together Their
envy will be measured by their
disdain.

I will quietly listen to you And
pass no judgment, Nor will your
spoken words be repeated I will
remain ever silent, Ever vigilant,
ever loyal. And when our time
together is done And you move
on in the world Remember me
with kind thoughts and tales,
For a time we were unbeatable,
Nothing passed among us
undetected.

If we should meet again on
another street I will gladly take
up your fight, I am a Police
Working Dog and together We
are guardians of the night.