K9 Blitz – Murrieta, California

Died – 3/12/18
Handler – Det. Sean Waterman

Rest In Paradise Sweet Girl: Murrieta K9, Former Navy Seal, Dies

Murrieta police are mourning the loss of one of their own. Retired K9 Blitz, who made dozens of arrests and recovered hundreds of pounds of drugs during her local career, died Monday. Murrieta police shared an emotional post on Facebook about the beloved police dog, who started her career as a Navy Seal Team Member. She died just 15 days shy of her twelfth birthday from “an aggressive form of cancer,” police said. Murrieta Police Det. Sean Waterman, who was Blitz’s handler and human since coming to Murrieta, said the pup was put to rest at noon on Monday. “She was my protector, my hero and my best friend,” he said. “She will never be outside my thoughts.”

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.