Plainfield Riverfront K9 Memorial

Plainfield Riverfront K9 Memorial A memorial designed to honor the past Plainfield Police K9s and Plainfield Fire Protection K9 for their valiant service to the Village of Plainfield.

This location once served as the training grounds for the Plainfield Police K9s back in the early 80s. The History of the Plainfield Police K9

The Village of Plainfield started a Police K9 Unit in the 1970’s. Since this time we have had (8) Police Service Dogs and (1) Plainfield Fire District Service Dog working in Plainfield:

 1977 – 1982 K9 Handler Officer Corky Lantz
o K9 Luger (Doberman)



 1978 – 1983 K9 Handler Officer Bobby Bostanche
o K9 TJ (Doberman)

 1984 – 1985 K9 Handler Officer Bobby Bostanche
o K9 Brutus (German Shepherd)

 1984– 1987 K9 Handler Officer Ed Bennett
o K9 Blackie (German Shepherd)

 1985 – 1987 K9 Handler Officer Tom Fassiotto
o K9 Corporal (German Shepherd)

 1998 – 2006 K9 Handler Officer Jim Caliendo
o K9 Foster (German Shepherd)

 2006 – 2014 K9 Handler Officer Brian Wagner
o K9 Aron (German Shepherd)

 2013 – 2020 K9 Handler Officer Tracy Caliendo
o K9 Kody (German Shepherd)

 2004 – 2018 K9 Handler Chief Jon Stratton
o K9 Blaze (Labrador Retriever)

Many of the K9 Handlers are still alive, but all the Police Service Dogs and Fire Protection Dog have since passed. K9s Luger, Blackie, and TJ are currently buried at their old police K9 training field located on the property known know as the Plainfield Riverfront, located at 24321 Lockport Street. In the late 1970s – early 1980s police service dogs from Plainfield and other surrounding agencies would train at this field. The field consisted of various types of agility equipment to help train the service dogs for situations they may face on the street. The field was phased out and removed by the mid-1980s, leaving only a large boulder behind as a somewhat landmark of where the training field once stood. In June of 2018, after (2) years of planning, the Plainfield Police K9 Memorial was built to honor the past police service dogs of the Plainfield Police Department and the past Plainfield Fire Protection service dog for their valiant service. This memorial stands at the very location the training field once stood. The boulder that once was used to mark its past location, is now a part of this living memorial.

The calm and solitude at the memorial is a deeply moving experience. Please come out and visit, especially as the weathe...
04/05/2026

The calm and solitude at the memorial is a deeply moving experience.

Please come out and visit, especially as the weather begins to warm up.

You'll hear the sound of the birds, the rush of the river and maybe even a far off bark...

Happy Birthday Tracy!Feel free to drop a birthday wish in the comments🥳
01/25/2026

Happy Birthday Tracy!

Feel free to drop a birthday wish in the comments🥳

Happy New Year! 🐾💙We may be a little late, but our wishes are heartfelt. As we step into 2026, we want to extend our dee...
01/04/2026

Happy New Year! 🐾💙
We may be a little late, but our wishes are heartfelt. As we step into 2026, we want to extend our deepest best wishes to all K9 handlers and their incredible canine partners.

May this year bring safety, good health, and many successful returns home after every shift. We honor those who have served before, and we continue to stand behind those who serve today.

Stay safe, stay strong, and thank you for all that you do. 🐕‍🦺🖤

We could not have said this better…best wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday. https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kesb...
12/24/2025

We could not have said this better…best wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kesbj2u9P/?mibextid=wwXIfr

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town.
The streets were unusually quiet, calm settled down.
The radios murmured with low, steady tone,
As officers patrolled, far away from their homes.

The cruisers rolled softly, red and blue glow,
Reflecting on storefronts and freshly fallen snow.
While families were nestled, warm under their lights,
Some stood the watch through the long winter night.

The K-9s were ready, ears perked with care,
Noses tuned in to the cold midnight air.
Not dreaming of treats or a spot by the fire,
But focused, alert, loyal hearts never tire.

Coffee cups steaming, reports being typed,
Holiday playlists quietly piped.
Someone cracked a joke, just quiet enough,
The kind that reminds you the job can be tough.

They thought of their families, stockings and cheer,
Of laughter and meals they’d be missing this year.
But duty called louder than comfort or rest,
Because protecting the season… well, that’s part of the test.

A call cleared, a calm night, no trouble in sight,
Just stars overhead and a peaceful patrol light.
The K-9 got praised with a pat and a grin,
A good boy, a partner, a bond deep within.

As dawn crept closer and shifts neared their end,
They carried the hope that this calm would extend.
For every quiet night is a gift all its own,
Made possible by those who stand watch, unknown.

So here’s to the ones on the road Christmas Eve,
And the partners on four legs who never take leave.
May your nights be uneventful, your coffee stay warm,
And may peace be the call you respond to till morn.

As the holiday season wraps around us, let's remind ourselves to slow down a little — to make room for quiet reflection ...
12/10/2025

As the holiday season wraps around us, let's remind ourselves to slow down a little — to make room for quiet reflection and meaningful moments. 🎄✨

Gifts are wonderful, but the memories we create, the love we share, and the time we spend with those who matter most to us…those are what truly stay with us forever. ❤️

Here’s to choosing presence over presents, and moments over things.

Best wishes to all for a terrific holiday season!

We are thrilled to announce the latest improvement to the Plainfield Riverfront K9 Memorial! Everyone who visits will ha...
08/10/2025

We are thrilled to announce the latest improvement to the Plainfield Riverfront K9 Memorial! Everyone who visits will have the opportunity to scan the QR code posted adjacent to the memorial. The code links directly to a YouTube video that tells the story of Officer K9 Kody, narrated by his partner and best friend Tracy Caliendo.

Our deepest thanks to Will County State's Attorney James W. Glasgow who funded this very special tribute video using drug forfeiture funds seized from criminals.

In case you're not able to visit the memorial in person, please take a few minutes to view the video

We kindly request you to like and share so that others may learn about the memorial.

Link⤵️
https://youtu.be/ce8NsIjiX2M?si=dxI0JSGIsqiO_MZk

Address

24321 Lockport Street
Plainfield, IL
60544

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