Page 28 - August 2016 Newsletter

P traits by Peter Bucks
Tributes to officers from the CPD Officer, Lodge 7 member and renowned artist
Working in law enforcement for more than 18 years, Officer Thomas J. Nowak has developed a healthy respect for risk-taking. Each time his on-duty Labrador, Squiggy the explosive-sniffing K-9, indicates on an individual in a crowded Chicago venue, the fearless handler knows the next moment could be his last.
“It’s the real deal,” says Nowak. “You could be gone in a second.”
But the daily threat of bomb deployment has little effect on Nowak’s dedication to the job. A veteran from District 15, the effer- vescent officer lives for the challenge of each shift as a K-9 handler. With multiple training sessions each week that last between four and six hours, handling Squiggy affords Nowak the excitement and exertion he desires.
Named for the character in the ABC comedy Laverne and Shirley, Squiggy has become both Nowak’s loyal partner and best pal. “He follows me around all the time,” says Nowak, who has been han- dling the 5-year-old black Labrador for more than two years. Squig- gy has been trained to track explosives that might threat-
en a wide range of venues, including outdoor crowds, buildings and vehicles – and his nose knows.
“We train with real explosives – no inert stuff,” says Nowak.
THOMAS J.
And working alongside SWAT teams, searching threatened buildings and vehicles – Nowak offers a vital piece of advice he’s learned from Squiggy: “You gotta know your dog.” d
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CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ AUGUST 2016 27