K9 Lary – Burbank, California

Died 4/27/23
Handler – Officer Jason Tudryn

Burbank Police Mourn Death Of Retired Police Dog Lary

Burbank police K9 Lary spent nine years on the streets chasing down bad guys and sniffing out millions of dollars in cash and illegal drugs. Even in his well deserved retirement, Lary, Burbank police’s K9, wanted to go to work with his partner Officer Jason Tudryn. Lary, who faithfully served the Burbank Police Department for nine years, died on April 27. The massive German Shepherd was 12 years old.“Nine years is a long time on the street,” Tudryn said. “He helped all the surrounding police agencies, from Bridgeview to Crestwood.”Lary joined the Burbank Police Department in 2012. Lary was certified in detecting drug odors, tracking, area searches, article searches and building searches. As a team, Tudryn and Lary were in high demand to assist other state, local, county and federal agencies. “He found a lot of cash and drug seizures,” Tudryn said.Tudryn and his canine partner were fan favorites at community events, pool parties and local schools, showing off his training and skills in demonstrations.“He was real friendly with kids,” Tudryn said.While a fan favorite of school kids, Lary was tough on bad guys. Tudryn said the police service dog was known to bite criminals who tried to escape the law.“The last person he bit was a carjacker,” Tudryn recalled. “We were assisting Oak Lawn police. The carjacker crashed his car near 95th Street and LaGrange Road. The offender ran into the woods. Lary tracked him down and bit him.”When he wasn’t working, Lary lived with Tudryn and his family, lounging on the couch or playing in the back yard.“He became part of the family,” Tudryn said.Lary retired in December 2021 and enjoyed being a pet, although he still wanted to go to work with his partner. During the past year, Lary lost weight and his hips began to go out. Last week, like many dog owners, Tudryn faced the hardest decision a handler makes when his loyal partner falls ill. PSD Lary ended his watch in the arms of Officer Tudryn.Burbank police posted the following tribute to their colleague on Facebook:“It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of retired Burbank Police K9 Lary on April 27, 2023. K9 Lary served the City of Burbank for 9 years. The teamwork of Officer Tudryn and K9 Lary have confiscated large amounts of illegal drugs and removed numerous dangerous criminals off the streets of Burbank.”

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.