Jun 4

Jun 4 K9 partner in crime leaves legacy of "Valor"

Adam Gleave, a current deputy for the Davidson County Sheriff's Department

{Photo Credit: Leigh Walter Photography.}

Adam Gleave, a current deputy for the Davidson County Sheriff's Department and Marine veteran, tells his story, while honoring the memory of his retired Davidson County K9, loyal partner and beloved dog, “Valor,” who sadly passed away on April 29.

Gleave began his military career with the US Marine Corps in September of 1999, immediately after graduating from West Davidson High School. Gleave explained, “I always knew I was built a little different and wanted to do something bigger than myself. My mom always talked about her brother who was in the Air Force, and my grandfather was in the Army, so hearing about them doing this kind of played into my decision. College was never an option in my mind due to financial responsibilities, and well, I just didn’t like school that much. I’m more of a hands-on learning type of person, so I decided to just join the military.” Gleave went on to say the Marine Corps was his first and only choice because he wanted to be a part of the best and toughest branch. “Plus, we have the best-looking uniforms,” Gleave joked.

Gleave was stationed primarily around the Washington, DC area, Annapolis, MD at the United States Naval Academy, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, DC at WHCA - White House Communications Agency and Marine Barracks 8th & I Washington with training in Infantry 0311, Security Forces 8152. Gleave earned rank as Sergeant E-5. “My responsibilities changed when I was given a top secret/sensitive security clearance. It took several months to obtain this clearance and I had to serve at least two years under this due to the costs and time associated to obtain this. Once my time was up, I only had four months left on my original four-year service contract and had already decided I was not going to reenlist. So, I was never sent to a deployable unit. It was tough at times being in a unit where you wouldn’t be deployed knowing you couldn’t help your brothers and sisters overseas. With Memorial Day this past Monday, you can't help but wonder if you could have helped bring just one more person back home safely.”

During Gleave’s time in the Marines, he received the Presidential Service Badge, a badge only received for serving at certain duty stations, each badge being serialized. Gleave concluded his time in the military in July of 2003. He admitted it’s still a decision he struggles with to this day. “There is no brotherhood like your military family. If I had to do it all over, I would and wouldn’t think twice about it. In my opinion, the Marine Corps made me the man I am today.”

Gleave made his way back home to Davidson County where he built a family and immediately began the next chapter of his life. “It was an easy career transition as I still wanted to contribute to helping society.”

He began his law enforcement training, and in 2004, began working for the Davidson County Sheriff's Department, where he has been for 17 years and currently remains with the Civil Process Division. Gleave worked Patrol for 16 years, K9 unit for 10 years, SWAT for 15 years and has been with the Civil Process Division for one year. Gleave shared that working SWAT and with the K9 unit were two of his main goals in his law enforcement career.

In 2007, Gleave began working on the K9 unit. Expressing he has always had a love for dogs and working with a dog of this caliber was something special for him. Valor was a Belgian Malinois Shepherd mix from Slovakia. Gleave picked up Valor on July 2, 2007 from a location in NC where police dogs are imported and trained then sold to departments. Valor was purchased 100 percent with seized drug money. Valor was Gleave’s first K9 dog. Gleave laughs, “We were both newbies.” Asked if Gleave was able to name Valor, he explained he had actually changed his name. “The place where Valor was purchased gave all of the dogs names, but sometimes the names were just awful for a K9. When I first met him, his name was Alan. Since I served in the military, I thought Valor was a fitting and brave name for what a law enforcement dog would have to do.”

Valor was a multipurpose patrol dog and was certified in Tracking Narcotics, Criminal Apprehension, Building Searches, Officer Protection and Article Searches. During his career, Valor located numerous fleeing criminals, located missing children, elderly folks who walked off from home and assisted in seizing narcotics. Most noticeably, Valor was the K9 who tracked down an escaped inmate from the Davidson County detention center in 2015. Gleave said Valor knew when he was at work and when he was off duty. “I would tell people he was a light switch and I could turn him on and off with just that flip. He just seemed to know the difference between a criminal and a regular person. When Valor and I would show up to a call where a dog was needed, it made officers and deputies comfortable because they knew Valor was top-notch.”

In October 2017, after 10 years of service to the community, Valor retired. “The last several years of his career were amazing with him tracking and locating people for Lexington PD, Thomasville PD, Denton PD and our agency. We didn’t always find what we were looking for, but when we showed up, people knew we were going to give it our best shot.” Gleave chose to leave the K9 unit at this time as well, saying Valor was his one and only K9.

Leaving the unit, but not one another, Gleave purchased Valor from the county to make him officially his pet. Gleave confessed that while Valor enjoyed being a lazy retired dog, that it wasn’t easy at first. “All he knew was me, by this I mean he was always with me and it was his job to protect me. I couldn’t move around the house without him following me everywhere I went. It was tough on him watching me leave for work without him; he would often just go to my bedroom and not come out until I got back home. He was a huge part of our family and like a child to me.”

*Deputy Gleave holding Valor during his last moments at North Davidson Veterinary Hospital. {Contributed Photo}*

On April 29, Valor passed away at North Davidson Veterinary Hospital in Gleave’s arms. “He hadn’t been feeling well, so I took him in a few days before and his bloodwork showed he was in kidney failure,” Gleave lamented. Valor had lost a noticeable amount of weight from barely eating and seemed to be in a lot of pain. “Just getting up off the floor was a painful task for him.” Ultimately, Gleave made the unselfish and extremely tough decision to give Valor the peace he deserved, and Valor was euthanized. “I just couldn’t stand seeing him in that much pain.”

Since Valor was a retired K9 and didn’t pass away in the line of duty, a traditional memorial service was not held. However, the day Valor was put to sleep, the entire K9 unit came to Gleave’s house and escorted Valor and Gleave to the veterinarian's office. “As I walked him into the building, the K9 unit was lined up with their dogs out and gave Valor a final salute to show their respect for him,” recalled Gleave.

*Davidson County's K9 Unit Escorted Adam and Valor from their home to North Davidson Veterinary Hospital to pay final tribute and respect to Valor. {Contributed Photo}*

The Davidson County Sheriff's Office released the following statement on Facebook. “We are saddened to announce that retired K9, Valor, has passed away. Valor began his Law Enforcement career with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2007 and retired in October of 2017. Valor was a multipurpose K9 and was assigned to the Patrol Division with his partner, Deputy A. Gleave. Valor was trained in tracking, narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, evidentiary detection, building searches and officer safety/protection. Valor was instrumental in solidifying numerous narcotics cases, dozens of apprehensions of fleeing subjects [one being an escapee from the Detention Center] and even locating a small child who had wandered away from home; as well as, locating an elderly person with cognitive issues who had also wandered off. Valor will be sorely missed by Deputy Gleave and his family, but rest assured, he will ‘zit’ and ‘blijf’ patiently on the other side of the rainbow bridge awaiting their reunion. Rest In Peace, Valor, and thank you for your service to the citizens of Davidson County!”

Remembering Valor, Gleave emotionally and lovingly concluded, “Valor meant the world to me. He taught me patience and understanding. It’s like losing a best friend. We were together for almost 14 years; it’s tough losing a partner and companion like that. I just wish I would have had more time with him. Having a partner like him was absolutely amazing.”

Gleave extended his appreciation to the Animal Care Foundation in Midway on Hickory Tree Rd. for taking care of Valor’s needs after he retired. “They provided him with medical care, food, toys and a bed. Once Valor passed away, they took care of everything from the medical bills to his cremation.” He also offered his gratitude for North Davidson Veterinary Hospital in Welcome. “They were amazing with how they treated Valor. Their care and understanding was incredible and very thoughtful.”

In a recent Facebook post, Gleave shared a final farewell to Valor. “I’ll see you again one day, boy! Dirty paws and dirty boots mean our job is done.”

What a beautiful life full of love, friendship and loyalty that Gleave gave to Valor, and Valor to Gleave. A bond undoubtedly few are lucky enough to share. Davidson County certainly appreciates this heroic duo and their dedication to keeping our community safe. Valor’s legacy will live on through stories shared and in the hearts of all who knew him. And Gleave will continue to be appreciated for all he has sacrificed for the country as well as his continued service to the community.