Retired Cypress police K9 Sem, who took down murder suspects, dies

Sometimes K9 Sem could be mistaken for a bear, earning him that moniker. At 115 pounds and with a nearly completely coarse, black coat, the Cypress police K9 cut an intimidating figure.

But the 12-year-old retired German shepherd, who passed away this week, was a gentle giant.

“He was a big boy,” Cypress police Sgt. Becky Mondon said Friday. She was at Sem’s side for eight years as his handler. He was put to rest on Wednesday, July 15 after being retired since 2018.

But before that, he had an illustrious career, taking down suspects — two of them wanted for murder — and finding drugs. Cypress police said during his career he helped in the seizure of 168 pounds of narcotics, $265,000 worth of drug money and searched more than 1,000 buildings and vehicles.

The department said in the announcement of Sem’s death: “Those who got a chance to meet him knew him to be a happy and dedicated servant who loved to patrol the streets of Cypress and protect our community.”

The sergeant said they were often called to help agencies in other cities.

“We were the go-to team. We went everywhere and he loved to work. He loved being in the car,” Mondon said.

One of those calls ended with Sem being injured and his future on the force uncertain.

In April 2015, Sem and Mondon, along with other Cypress and La Palma officers, were in a high-speed pursuit of a felon. The chase ended on the freeway near the southbound 405 and 605 freeway split. Shortly after, Sem was unleashed on the suspect, who’d left the vehicle, and the two ended up down a hill. When Mondon caught up she saw the suspect punching Sem repeatedly, including in the chest.

The K9 suffered a pneumothorax, basically a collapsed lung, Mondon said. Sem had air in his chest that was putting pressure on his organs and had to get an emergency procedure.

“(The veterinarians) weren’t sure if he was going to come back to work from that,” Mondon said. “It was scary.”

But more than a month later, he was back in the patrol car with Mondon.

“He was such a strong dog,” she said. “It was hard not to have him in the car with me for a while … and we had some great years after that.”

Sem was fawned over by police station staff as well as children and seniors. He enjoyed being the center of attention.

When Sem retired, there were three other dogs and two cats at home to spend time with.

Eventually, Mondon was promoted to detective, then later sergeant, but being alongside Sem was a favored role.

“Everyone was really touched by him,” she said.