K9 Griffen – Chula Vista, California

Died 3/23/13
Handler – Officer Chancellor

Chula Vista Police Officer Mourns His K-9 Partner and ‘Best Friend’

“It is hard to overstate the bond that a K-9 and his handler have when working long hours in dangerous situations. CVPD’s law enforcement family extends deepest sympathies to his partner officer,” the department stated, according to KSWB. Griffen worked alongside his handler mostly during the night shift. He was well-known in the South Bay region of San Diego County as he was a frequent guest at public events in the community. “On behalf of all the women and men at the Chula Vista Police Department, Thank You Griffen for your service, you will be missed,” the Police Department said. Chula Vista police officers are mourning the death of one of their beloved K-9 partners. Griffen, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, suffered from an undisclosed medical condition and passed away, according to Chula Vista police Lt. Eric Thunberg. His handler Officer Chancellor, his handler’s family and other members of the department’s K9 program were present when he passed, KTLA sister station KSWB in San Diego reported. The department posted an emotional photo on Twitter early Sunday showing an officer embracing the dog at a veterinary clinic.

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.