Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, among New Zealand’s longest-serving dog handlers whose precious cops dog Gage as soon as took a bullet from a shooter and saved his life, was hunting in the Ashburton Lakes location on Tuesday when he dropped dead.
Canterbury Police District Commander Corrie Parnell shared the “terrible news” with staff the other day.
“It is difficult to take into words the depth of loss that people and groups will experience throughout all of NZ Police in action to this awful news,” he said.
“Bruce has actually become part of our Canterbury Police family for 45 years and was among New Zealand Police’s longest-serving dog handlers. He was popular and well appreciated throughout the organisation and in the neighborhoods he served.
“Of course, this loss will be felt most deeply by his close-knit family, his buddies and his dog area coworkers. Our love and prayers are with them.”
Lamb – a dad of 3, consisting of 2 policemans – committed his life to policing, Parnell said, including it was a “enthusiasm he showed his family”.
“There are lots of things he will be kept in mind for – a genuine married man and a policeman through and through who got himself into more than his reasonable share of ‘hairy’ scenarios,” Parnell said.
“We touch with Bruce’s family and are offering all the assistance we can as they concern terms with this awful loss.
“Bruce was liked by lots of and this news will come as a shock, specifically to those who worked carefully with him.”
In 2013, Lamb ended up being psychological when commemorating his dog Gage, who was posthumously granted the UK’s greatest honour for animal bravery.
“Without him, I just wouldn’t be here,” Lamb informed an event of his coworkers where Gage’s bravery and sacrifice was identified with the PDSA Gold Medal.
At 11am on July 13, 2010 officers passing a house in the Christchurch suburban area of Phillipstown observed a strong odor of marijuana.
They went to the door and jailed a man there and required back-up.
Lamb and Gage showed up and went inside where they discovered Christopher Graeme Smith, 35, inside a locked bed room.
Smith coughed to camouflage cocking his rifle prior to Lamb got in.
The shooter fired 2 shots, one directly missing out on Lamb’s head, the other smashing into his jaw. As he fell, Lamb called out to notify his coworkers.
Smith cocked his weapon once again and as he went to shoot Lamb once again, Gage’s training started and he delved into the line of fire.
“I can still feel Gage discussing me. Without a doubt, his actions on the day saved my life,” Lamb said at the time.
Smith fired once again and strike Constable Mitch Alatalo.
Lamb dragged Gage, still on his lead, outside your house. It wasn’t up until he was outside that he understood Gage was dead.
Lamb drove himself to medical facility and radioed cops comms: “Delta One to Comms…I’ve got a gunshot injury to the head… can you inform my employer that my dog is dead please.”
Lamb kept in mind just a flash of the weapon and seeing Smith point it at his head prior to Gage leapt over him and took the 2nd shot.
The 6-year-old German shepherd was photographed lying dead in the middle of Buccleugh St in a memorable image.
Smith was imprisoned for 14 years for the tried murder of an authorities dog handler, wounding of another officer, and killing Gage.
