K9 Dan – Sanson Park, Texas

Handler – Officer Hagin

North Texas police department mourns loss of K-9 officer Lt. Dan

The Sansom Park Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its beloved and its very first K-9 officers. The SPPD announced Tuesday that Lt. Dan had passed away after a recent cancer diagnosis. His last night on the job was March 1, where he completed an open-air sniff on three separate cars in a narcotics investigation. Three were arrested and roughly $10k in drugs were seized. Officer Hagin, Lt. Dan’s handler, took the pup on one last ride in their police vehicle Monday, followed by one last successful (training) sniff, earning one of his favorite toys as a reward, along with some heartfelt love.Hagin told WFAA on Wednesday night that Lt. Dan was diagnosed with cancer over the weekend, just days after their last drug bust. “It was a silent ride up here tonight,” Hagin said. “Not hearing his tail bouncing around and him panting, thinking we’re going to work. I found myself talking to him in the back kennel and had to look back and realize he was not there.””When he made that bust, he was just eaten up with cancer and didn’t complain at all,” Hagin said. The SPPD said Hagin and Lt. Dan had been partners for almost 11 years.The narcotics lab wore three different badges. Aside from the Sansom Park Police Department, he worked for the Hood and Parker County sheriff’s offices. Hagin said Lt. Dan had roughly eight years in law enforcement. He was brought out of retirement to kickstart SPPD’s K-9 unit in January of this year.After his cancer diagnosis, Hagin said he took Lt. Dan for one last walk in his favorite park on Sunday. On Monday, minutes after taking one last picture in uniform, Lt. Dan collapsed in front of Hagin and died at his feet. “I did CPR on him for a little bit trying to bring him back, but was unsuccessful,” Hagin said. “He looked up at me, took his last breath, and dropped down. Clear Fork Veterinary Clinic, which has taken care of Dan his whole life, said he likely died from a blood clot that broke loose and hit his heart.” “I’m not a crier, but this broke my heart. I spent more time with him than with my actual family. It’s not just a dog, it means so much more.” Hagin will never forget that look or the dog that’s always been by his side. The department is looking at getting a new K-9 but will always remember the very first. “Dan crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in the arms of his beloved partner,” the department said.”We will miss you now, but we will love you forever,” they added.Good boy, Lt. Dan! Rest In Peace.

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.