Beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and husband
Kevin John KOCHER, 60, passed away October 31, 2017 at home with his loving wife, Cynthia Cobb Kocher. He is preceded in death by his nephew William ‘Willie' Whitney, father James Kocher and brother Newell Kocher. Survived by his mother Mary Gates, brother James Kocher, sister Lynda Kocher Bennett, children Kevin A. Kocher, Opal Kocher, Alex Monroe, Richard Monroe and grandchildren Arabelle Kocher and Fia Sheler.
Kevin retired from the Pentagon Police Department in 2009. Previously, he worked at Lorton Prison for 18 years until its closure and was also a Deputy and Bloodhound handler at the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Department for 23 years until the MS forced his retirement.
He dedicated his life to his faith, family and to Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue K9 handlers worldwide. Kevin created a method of training called ‘The Kocher Method' that has saved lives & apprehended criminals throughout the world. Kevin co-founded the InterNational Bloodhound Training Institute (www.inbti.com) to further his method, which now has instructors in the United States and many other countries. He is also the author of the book, "How to Train a Police Bloodhound and Scent Discriminating Patrol Dog" which has now been published in 7 languages. He traveled tirelessly even as Multiple Sclerosis took hold of his body to share his method and his faith. A humble servant, he taught free of charge as a vessel of God's work and for the greater good of humanity.
During his time as a K9 handler, Kevin was successful in numerous high-profile cases including murders, two serial killers, abductions, rapes and robberies. His first find was recovering the body of 14-year-old Alexander E. Sztanko. While working for Lorton Prison he was instrumental in the search for escaped inmate and convicted murder Thomas A. Wilkes Jr. Of the many cases that haunted Kevin throughout his life were the missing Spotsylvania girls Sofia Silva, and Kristin & Kati Lisk. He made a promise to the family of Sofia Silva to never forget her. He created the Sofia Silva Life Saving Award, which has been presented by her sister Pam Silva Grimes, to instructors and handlers to recognize those K-9 units who have performed with a determined sense of duty and responsibility by assisting in saving a life.
Kevin's legacy of faithful service to the Lord, self-sacrifice and humility will never be forgotten by all who have benefited by K9 teams trained with his method and by the INBTI instructors and members who will carry on his work. Even as MS attacked his body; his heart and spirit could not be held down. He trained K9 handlers first with the aid of a cane, then with the help of a walker, and then still while in a wheelchair. Even after being bedridden, he mentored students and instructors online.
Services will be held up on the mountain he loved so much in Ulysses, Pennsylvania the first weekend in June. More information will be provided via Facebook including places to stay closer to time, or you may contact the.inbti@gmail.com to request the information. All are welcome to attend. Memorials can be made to the International Bloodhound Training Institute (INBTI) to be used as a scholarship fund.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfuneralhome.com.
Kevin John KOCHER, 60, passed away October 31, 2017 at home with his loving wife, Cynthia Cobb Kocher. He is preceded in death by his nephew William ‘Willie' Whitney, father James Kocher and brother Newell Kocher. Survived by his mother Mary Gates, brother James Kocher, sister Lynda Kocher Bennett, children Kevin A. Kocher, Opal Kocher, Alex Monroe, Richard Monroe and grandchildren Arabelle Kocher and Fia Sheler.
Kevin retired from the Pentagon Police Department in 2009. Previously, he worked at Lorton Prison for 18 years until its closure and was also a Deputy and Bloodhound handler at the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Department for 23 years until the MS forced his retirement.
He dedicated his life to his faith, family and to Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue K9 handlers worldwide. Kevin created a method of training called ‘The Kocher Method' that has saved lives & apprehended criminals throughout the world. Kevin co-founded the InterNational Bloodhound Training Institute (www.inbti.com) to further his method, which now has instructors in the United States and many other countries. He is also the author of the book, "How to Train a Police Bloodhound and Scent Discriminating Patrol Dog" which has now been published in 7 languages. He traveled tirelessly even as Multiple Sclerosis took hold of his body to share his method and his faith. A humble servant, he taught free of charge as a vessel of God's work and for the greater good of humanity.
During his time as a K9 handler, Kevin was successful in numerous high-profile cases including murders, two serial killers, abductions, rapes and robberies. His first find was recovering the body of 14-year-old Alexander E. Sztanko. While working for Lorton Prison he was instrumental in the search for escaped inmate and convicted murder Thomas A. Wilkes Jr. Of the many cases that haunted Kevin throughout his life were the missing Spotsylvania girls Sofia Silva, and Kristin & Kati Lisk. He made a promise to the family of Sofia Silva to never forget her. He created the Sofia Silva Life Saving Award, which has been presented by her sister Pam Silva Grimes, to instructors and handlers to recognize those K-9 units who have performed with a determined sense of duty and responsibility by assisting in saving a life.
Kevin's legacy of faithful service to the Lord, self-sacrifice and humility will never be forgotten by all who have benefited by K9 teams trained with his method and by the INBTI instructors and members who will carry on his work. Even as MS attacked his body; his heart and spirit could not be held down. He trained K9 handlers first with the aid of a cane, then with the help of a walker, and then still while in a wheelchair. Even after being bedridden, he mentored students and instructors online.
Services will be held up on the mountain he loved so much in Ulysses, Pennsylvania the first weekend in June. More information will be provided via Facebook including places to stay closer to time, or you may contact the.inbti@gmail.com to request the information. All are welcome to attend. Memorials can be made to the International Bloodhound Training Institute (INBTI) to be used as a scholarship fund.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfuneralhome.com.
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