Robert Frederick Zelle died on 12/1/14 of lung cancer at the age of 89 at Quarters of Des Peres rehab facility. Bob Zelle was among the early recruits on the St. Louis police canine corps. His K9 partner Sarge was a 70-pound, black German shepherd. Officer Zelle credited Sarge with the capture of eight burglars. Officer Zelle retired in 1981 after a 33-year career with the St. Louis Police Department. He lived in Ballwin. When World War II started, he joined the armed forces. He was awarded the Chief’s Letter of Commendation four times. His family recalled that he had played a bit part in the 1961 movie, “The Hoodlum Priest.” Officer Zelle’s and his dog were in a scene. Officer Zelle retired at the rank of Sergeant. He is survived by his wife, Roseann La Barbera Zelle.
Lt. William “Bill” Isaac Jeffers II
November 30, 2014- Evanston,
Lt. William Jeffers passed away 12/30/14 at a Salt Lake City hospital after being unresponsive for two full weeks. It’s unclear why Jeffers wouldn’t wake up on Sunday, Nov. 16, around 9:20 a.m., when his wife Sarah called dispatch, but his condition never improved. Sarah Jeffers found her husband in bed that morning, his heart was beating, but he wasn’t breathing well and his breaths were irregular. He was transported to Evanston Regional Hospital and later that day transported by ambulance to University of Utah Hospital. Jeffers had apparently aspirated while sleeping, because doctors found fluid from vomit in his lungs. “He worked with the police department since April 27, 1997. He spent over 20 years with the Wyoming Army National Guard. Those positions include patrolman, K-9 unit, field training officer, member of the special response team, firearms instructor, detective division and lieutenant. Bill was a retired Master Sergeant with the Wyoming National Guard.
Officer Amanda Laake Solis
November 11, 2014- Daingerfield,
Officer Amanda Laake Solis, 39, died on 11/11/14 after a long battle with cancer. She was a police officer with the Daingerfield Police Department. She was diagnosed with two forms of Leukemia in August of 2013 and had been undergoing cancer treatment for the last year in Dallas, Texas. She worked with the Titus County Sheriff’s Department before becoming a K9 officer in Daingerfield. She leaves behind her husband Jeff, her two sons,
