Sgt. Jeff Gates funeral is Thursday morning
NORTH SYRACUSE -- The Onondaga County's Sheriff's Office has a reputation as the best for police K-9 training, thanks to the work of Sgt. John "Jeff" Gates. On Thursday morning, K-9 teams from all over the state will be in North Syracuse to honor Gates at his funeral. He was 64 years old.
Gates was with the Sheriff's Office for 32 years, joining in 1974 and retiring in 2006. He created a standardized training and certification program for police dogs and handlers. He imported German Shepherds, mostly from the Czech Republic and Germany, and trained them for agencies in New York and surrounding states, as well as for local law enforcement officers.
Calling hours are Wednesday from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Sears-Middleton-Jones Funeral Home on North Main Street in North Syracuse. The funeral and K-9 memorial will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 at the same location.
Gates's ashes will be scattered on the canine training course in Camillus.
Donations can be made in Gates's name to the CNY SPCA.
