The “bestest boy.”
A dedicated officer with the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department who served seven years.
“An absolute powerhouse.”
“A great loss to the community.”
Those were just some of the accolades that poured out following the news of Monster’s passing Tuesday, Feb. 25. Mayor Tom Wieseler kicked off Monday, March 3’s council meeting with this statement:
The morning of Feb. 25 was a very sad day for the Mt. Vernon and Lisbon community, who lost a popular friend, a sad day for all City staff, who lost an employee, for all police staff, who lost a fellow officer and for Officer Moel, who lost a family member,” Wieseler said. “I know resources like the department chaplain will be made available to our officers but do what is necessary at this painful
time. You, as our police department, lead the pack of the helpers in our community.
Let us now be the helpers for you as you all grieve the loss of Officer Monster. Monster was a trusted partner, faithful friend, fearless by nature and loyal by choice.”
The search for Monster
A notice went out to the community early Tuesday, Feb. 25, that Monster had been missing since 10:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, when he went missing from the Moel household in Lisbon after an evening bathroom break
Members of the Mount-Vernon-Lisbon Police Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office had searched most of the evening and early morning, utilizing drones and other methods, trying to locate the K-9 officer throughout the evening.
As the sun came up, and the dog had still not been located, the department asked for help from citizens and numerous other first responders to aid in the search.
Hundreds of volunteers and first responders scoured the community to look for the dog.
At roughly 10:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, Lisbon Fire Department members spotted something at a partially frozen pond at 900 Willow Lane, one of the ponds south of Brother’s Market in Lisbon.
Monticello Police Department utilized a drone to confirm what crews were seeing was Monster. Mount Vernon Fire Department was paged from searching in other locations to help in recovering Monster’s body, utilizing the department’s ice rescue gear. The body was taken to Frey Pet Hospital in Cedar Rapids shortly after being recovered.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police chief Doug Shannon thanked the outpouring of support and resources from the community to aid in the search for Monster Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Lisbon.
“We know Monster meant a lot to people in the community,” Shannon said.
Other departments that assisted throughout Tuesday morning included Monticello Police Department, Jones County Sheriff’s office and multiple animal rescues including Paws of Hope and Fur Fun Rescue, as well as countless citizens.
“I would like to extend our thanks to Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Monticello Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Mechanicsville Police Department, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Lisbon Fire Department, Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance, Mount Vernon & Lisbon city staff, Frey Pet Hospital, and the many citizen volunteers who assisted in the search or have reached out to express their support,” Shannon said, in a press release after the incident.
Monster, Shannon said, was nearing his 7-year anniversary for the department and the department would have been looking to retire the officer in the near future, as he was nearing 10-years of age.
“Monster has just been a paramount part of our police department, and he is going to be greatly missed,” Shannon said. “He really touched every one he came in contact with, and it’s made for some heavy hearts in our department today.”
One of his favorite activities was playing fetch with tennis balls, especially in the police office throughout the day.
Monster’s history with the department
Monster joined the police department officially in September 2018. Officer Steve Moel said working with a K-9 officer was a
lifetime dream come true. Monster’s arrival to the community was thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Mount Vernon and Lisbon communities, which raised the money for the dog’s training and equipment.
Monster, when he joined the department, was a 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd dual trained in narcotics procedures and tracking missing people or fleeing suspects.
In an interview with the Sun in October 2018, Shannon explained that Monster would aid the department by providing the department in more efficiency in dealing with drug location,” as well as helping officers “ability to track fleeing suspects or search a wide area more efficiently.”
Moel explained that when working with Monster, when he was tracking something, his behavior changes, and the changes can be very subtle.
“If you aren’t aware of the change, you can actually hamper him finding the suspect,” Moel said.
Growing up, Moel helped his family train beagles and Labradors for hunting. Working with Monster, however, requires a completely different skill set.
Moel said he was looking forward to bringing Monster to Mount Vernon schools.
“He has a very friendly and playful demeanor when he’s not working,” Moel said.
Celebrating Monster
Monster’s remains were returned to the department Thursday, Feb. 27, with first responders from the community giving the officer the honor of a departed officer’s return.
A memorial celebrating the officer will be held Saturday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department.
Donations in honor of monster can be made to MVLPD-K9.
Shannon said that the department will look to replace Monster as a K-9 officer in the future, but how soon that happens is undetermined. The annual K-9 golf outing fundraisers the department have and will continue to hold have been put in place for keeping that officer program going for the department.
“Please keep our department and Officer Moel and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” Shannon said. “K9 Monster will be deeply missed by all of us.”