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Visitation Information| Additional Visitation Information | | |
| Service Information| Service Date | | | August 5, 2010 |
| Service Location | | | Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery |
| Additional Service Information | | Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Thursdasy, August 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery |
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 | Tributes | | |  |
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Only Author, City, State, Relationship, and Tribute will be shown. All remaining information will be kept private and only shared with the family. | | | | | | Tribute Message |
8/3/2010 |
Arnie Schwartz |
Stafford |
Virginia |
Friend/Canine Instructor |
My condolences to Dennis's family. From 1985-1993 he was my canine instructor with Secret Service. Dennis was always willing to share his expert knowledge to make the canine unit the best it can be. I feel lucky to have learned from him. He will truly be missed. May Dennis rest in peace. |
8/3/2010 |
Jim Schag |
Hemet |
CA |
Friend, Canine Instructor |
I first met Dennis in April, 1986 when I became a Secret Service handler. The knowledge he shared, and the patience he displayed, along with the words of encouragement when thing weren't going well on a particular day, made the experience a memorable one. When I retired from the Secret Service, Dennis was working at the U.S. Customs Service Training Center in Front Royal, VA. He was instumental in my being hired as Customs Service canine handler in Los Angeles. I again had the pleasure of learning from Dennis on my visits to the training center until he left Customs to return to Texas. In 2006, I was working the MLB All Star Game in Pittsburgh, PA and struck up a conversation with a canine officer on Pittsburgh PD. He also had been trained by Dennis. His knowledge was vast and his friendship neverending. Thank you Dennis, and my sincerest condolences to his family |
8/3/2010 |
Dale Holte |
Hummelstown |
PA |
Friend |
I worked with Dennis Burke at the K9 Training facility when he came to work with the Secret Service. He and Ron Mattis, another Air Force trainer made up the dynamic duo that produced some of the finest K9 handlers anywhere. Dennis was always into the work and there was plenty to go around. I was saddened to see him leave for another postion, but one certainly understands the need to grow and try different things, and Dennis knew he had done all that he could to get our program to the highest level.
Sgt Burke was my friend and mentor and I further saddened knowing that he has left us again. I remember fondly, all of our little chats, and visits to the trailer where it all started. I will also remember that day when he came into the office, looking sad and shaking his head. I asked, "Dennis, what's wrong?" He replied, "one of the K9's bit the Deputy Chief on the butt" "Was it bad, I asked?" "No, he said, it was only a superficial head wound."
God bless you my friend! |
8/3/2010 |
Kathy Smith |
Lawrenceville |
GA |
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My late husband, ATSAIC Chris Smith, died while serving in the US Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office. He was also an Air Force Veteran. I am very sorry for your loss and will be praying for your family. May God hold you in the palm of His merciful hands. |
8/3/2010 |
James C. Sartor |
Huntigtown |
MD |
Friend |
Dennis Burke was one of the best Canine Trainer/Instructor I've met. I first met Dennis in San Antonio , Texas when I was assigned to the canine during 1976. Dennis was the first U.S. Secret Service Canine Instructor. Not only was he an instructor, he was a friend. Dennis and I socialized on numerous occassions when he lived in the Bowie, Maryland area. I'm glad to have met him.
To the Burke family, weeping may endured for a night but joy comes in the morning.
May God Bless you and comfort you. |
8/3/2010 |
Joe D Smith |
Aliquippa |
PA |
Friend |
I am so sorry to hear about Dennis passing and want to offer my condolences. I worked with Dennis from 1980 to 1988 when I was with the Secret Service K-9 program. I happened to run into a young K-9 officer from Cleveland, Ohio PD in November 2009 and during our talk we discovered that Dennis had trained him as well. Dennis was a great trainer and good friend and his memory with live with us K-9 guys forever. He touched so many with his knowledge and friendship. Rest in peace, Dennis |
8/3/2010 |
George Marinoff |
Bradenton |
Florida |
Coworker and Friend |
To the Burke family, I would like to send my condolences to you regarding the passing of Dennis, he was a great person. I was assigned to the Secret Service Canine Unit in April 1985 and had the privilege to be under his direction and guidance during my tenure as a canine handler. Dennis passed on a great amount of knowledge not only to me but to many. He was one of the finest explosive detector canine trainers in the country. Dennis may be gone, but the knowledge he passed on to his students will live forever. Dennis, may you rest in peace. |
8/3/2010 |
CLIFF CUSICK |
STAFFORD |
VIRGINIA |
FRIEND |
I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM ABOUT THE PASSING OF DENNIS. I WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SECRET SERVICE K-9 CLASS IN 1976; AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DENNIS THAT YEAR. HE WAS A GREAT TRAINER AND A GOOD FRIEND. WHEN I RETIRED IN 1990, I LOST CONTACT WITH DENNIS, BUT I OFTEN THOUGHT ABOUT HIM. HE WILL BE MISSED. MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU.
CLIFF CUSICK |
8/4/2010 |
Ernie Navarra |
North Port |
Fl |
Friend/K-9 Handler 1983-1990 |
I would like to express my condolences to Dennis's family. I know he will be missed. I first met Dennis at Lackland Air Force base when he paired me up with Czar. Dennis told me he had never met a more hyper canine or a more hyper person and thought we would make a good team. He was right. Dennis was an excelent instructor and made learning the job easy. Rest in peace Dennis. God bless you. |
8/4/2010 |
Mike Regan |
Bedford |
TX |
Friend/Fellow AF member |
Dennis was one of the first three AF K-9 handlers to train Explosive detector dogs in the world. His Dog Margo and my dog Rex performed so well when tested by the FAA the DOD dog center got the contract to train civilian police explosive detector dog handlers. He was an outstanding individual and I loved working with him in 1974-76. He and I trained the first class of handlers for the FAA. He will be missed. God bless you. I will have a mass said for him at ST. Michaels in Bedford.
Mike |
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