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In Loving Memory of K9 Luger June 29, 2015
Handler Trooper Jason Cassavechia
Connecticut State Police Troop A
It is with a heavy heart that the Connecticut State Police announce the passing K9 Luger, # 9054, of the Connecticut State Police, assigned to TFC Jason Cassavechia, Troop A, Southbury. K9 Luger graduated from the 133rd K9 patrol dog class and served Troop A in Southbury between 2008 and 2013. Luger was a cross trained patrol and HRD (human remains detector) dog and was a part of the CT State Police search and rescue team. Luger assisted in numerous missing person cases and homicide investigations in and out of the State of Connecticut. During their time of service the team had many outstanding accomplishments.
In 2010, Luger was critical in the take down of an escaped prisoner out of West Virginia, who was featured on the television show, America’s Most Wanted. The armed fugitive, had just carjacked a vehicle and engaged Danbury Police in a pursuit. The pursuit ended near I-84 in Danbury with the dangerous fugitive fleeing from the vehicle and pointing a handgun at TFC Cassavechia. At this time, K9 Luger was deployed and took the fugitive down. The fugitive was shot and killed by CSP Troopers. As a result of outstanding police work, the team the Trooper of the Year award given by the Exchange Club in the Salute to Connecticut’s Finest. Luger was one of the first responding K9 units to the Sandy Hook school on 12/14/12. In 2013, a psychiatric patient went missing rom the Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. A large scale search was conducted for several days. K9 Luger located the missing patient and ultimately saved her life. Luger retired at the end of 2013 due to medical reasons. Luger had developed a tumor in his right eye and this began effecting his brain. On 06/29/15, TFC Cassavechia and his veterinarian made the difficult decision to put Luger to sleep. Luger retired peacefully at 9 years old. Luger, affectionately called “BOOG”, will be remembered for his extreme loyalty and companionship to Trooper Cassavechia and his family.
