K9 Garan – South Simcoe, Canada

Died – 6/19/18
Handler – Joe Ferreri

Retired police dog Garan passes away

Beloved canine officer served Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil seven years. The South Simcoe Police Service is mourning the passing of one of its beloved four-legged officers. Retired K9 ‘Garan’ passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. He was 12 years old. Garan served the communities of Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil for seven years. His last shift on patrol was in July 2013. The retired police canine had recently been in failing health. Since leaving the police service, Garan had enjoyed life as a cherished pet with partner Joe Ferreri and his family instead of catching bad guys and finding missing people. It is a heartbreaking day for all of us but especially for the Ferreri family. Joe retired from the police service in 2015. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Garan and his partner Joe for their service. Joe paid tribute to Garan in a post on Instagram: “Today I said goodbye to the most loyal partner and friend. You were one of a kind buddy and served @southsimcoepolice and the community in the most admirable way. I was lucky enough to have you as a partner for those years but most of all lucky to have you as part of our family. Love you pal and will see you again one day RIP PSD Garan. Nov 2005-Jun 2018”

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.