Valor, Redondo Beach police dog

Redondo Beach Police officer Ken Greenleaf had to make the tough call yesterday and put down his dog. Valor, a 5-year-old black-and-gray German shepherd, had been in the hospital with kidney failure for two weeks. Larry Altman in the Daily Breeze says the police dog had won seven canine competitions, survived a stabbing and helped officers catch about a half-dozen criminals. Valor had ridden with Greenleaf for three years. They said goodbye yesterday at the vet's office.

"When you get a dog, you know they are going before you," Greenleaf said. "You mentally have to be prepared."

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"It doesn't get easier, but I think when you get a dog, no matter what, you know you are going to grieve," he said.

Photo of Valor and Greenleaf together yesterday. Brad Graverson / Daily Breeze