K9 Havoc – Utah County, Utah

Died 7/16/19
Handler – Deputy Tony Sorensen

Utah County K9 dies after being hit by car

A Utah County K9 was killed in a tragic accident Tuesday morning after he ran into the road in an isolated area near the shore of Utah Lake in Vineyard and was hit by a car. “This morning, at about 9:15, a Deputy/K9 handler with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office was working in Vineyard,” said a news release from UCSO Sgt. Spencer Cannon. “He stopped in a dirt parking lot along Vineyard Road, which runs along the shore of Utah Lake near Vineyard Beach to let his K9 take a break.” The deputy parked at the back of the parking lot, more than 200 feet from the road, and let his K9, named Havoc, out to relieve himself. “As dogs will do, Havoc took care of necessary business then began to ‘inspect’ the area to make sure everything was normal,” the news release said. “When K9 handlers give their dogs a break they typically do so in an area that is somewhat isolated and away from the public, as in this case.” After a few minutes of “inspection,” Havoc unexpectedly ran west toward Vineyard Road and the shore area of Utah Lake and Vineyard Beach, the news release said. The handler called to Havoc, but he did not respond and ran into the road. One motorist was able to avoid Havoc, but the second was not.“That car hit Havoc and he ran back to his handler at the east end of the parking lot,” the news release said. “The handler saw that Havoc was injured but was still responsive. He took him to a veterinarian’s office where the doctor examined Havoc, found no broken bones, and started an IV. At about 10:30 a.m., while still sitting at the vet’s office, the handler said Havoc looked at him, laid his head in his lap, and died.” Havoc was a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois who began working at the Utah County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2013. He worked four years with his first handler and has been with his current handler since July of 2017. Havoc has received many awards at various K9 trials, including his last award of 3rd place in Vehicle Narcotics search at the Las Vegas Metro Police K9 Trials last October in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Havoc was the only dual purpose dog to place in this event,” the news release said. “‘Dual purpose’ simply means Havoc was certified in both narcotics detection and patrol. Havoc has made hundreds of ‘finds’ involving narcotics, including two searches where one had 10 pounds of heroin and the other had more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine.” He was also involved in numerous criminal apprehensions. “His handler said Havoc showed determination and never wanted to stop working,” the news release said. “Yet, when he was away from the job Havoc loved being active, whether it was chasing a ball, chewing on a toy, or playing with his handler’s family. Whatever Havoc did, he was all heart. And he 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.