K9 Fin – Livermore, California

Died – 9/15/18
1st Handler – Officer Dave Cerruti
2nd Handler – Officer Al Grajeda

Retired Livermore K9 Officer Dies At Age 11

It is with sadness that we share with the Livermore community the passing of K9 Fin Saturday, due to complications related to old age. Today, with the assistance of Patrol and members of the Honor Guard, Fin was given a police processional with honors from his home to his Veterinarian. Fin was born on June 26, 2007 and retired in June 4, 2017. He was partnered for 1 year with Officer Dave Cerruti (retired) and then was partnered for 7 years with Officer Al Grajeda. Fin was trained in handler protection, narcotics detection, person detection, article detection, tactical and high-risk operations and building searches.During his career Fin was assigned to Patrol, SOU, gang investigations and SWAT. He was instrumental in the arrest of homicide suspects, attempted homicide suspects, burglars, dangerous parolees-at-large, drug dealers stolen vehicle suspects and many others.Fin was an ambassador of LPD who did countless public demonstrations at community events, schools and other special events. K9 Fin will be missed.

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.