K9 Tyrone – Blain, Minnesota

Died 12/8/21

Handler – Officer Reginald Larson

Blaine’s new K-9 dies suddenly due to illness

The Blaine Police Department’s newest K-9 Tyrone died suddenly on the evening of Dec. 8 from a blood infection caused by an unknown illness. Tyrone was a Belgian Malinois born Feb. 20, 2020. Tyrone officially started with the department after his predecessor, K-9 Rex, retired Aug, 12 after nine years on the job. Both Rex and Tyrone’s handler is Blaine officer Reginald “Reggie” Larson. Tyrone had been undergoing training with Larson since last spring. Recently he graduated from a 12-week K-9 program with McDonough K-9, in Anoka. Tyrone served for only a few weeks after graduating the program before he died. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that our newest K-9 partner, Tyrone, passed away,” the Blaine Police Department said in a statement on Facebook. According to the department, Tyrone had been ill for a few days when he developed sepsis and pneumonia. He was treated with aggressive lifesaving measures at Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota Dec. 8 but did not survive. “He was a joy to have around the department and even though we only had a short time with him, he will be greatly missed,” the statement said. “Please keep Tyrone’s handler Officer Larson and his family in your thoughts and hearts during this difficult time.” “I am thankful for my time with Tyrone,” Larson said in an email. “He was a very genetically gifted animal that doesn’t come around often. I learned a great deal from him and grew as a trainer during the time I had with him. He was so full of potential and it’s sad that we aren’t going to see what he could [have] done.”Tyrone was able to join the Blaine Police Department thanks to a $15,000 donation from Vietnam War veteran Leo Luskey, a friend of Larson. Tyrone was named after Luskey’s hometown of Tyrone, Minnesota.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.