K9 Guenther – Anaheim, California

Died 1/15/20
Handler – Officer Klevos

War Dog Memorial Colorado extends our heartfelt condolences to the Anaheim Police Department Department’s K9 Unit and Officer B. Klevos in the passing of K9 Guenther. K9 Guenther passed away in the arms of Officer Klevos at VCA Yorba Regional Animal Hospital in the presence of his family and caring staff members. Officers and Deputies from multiple agencies responded to pay final respects to K9 Guenther who was covered in a flag in his final moments. Deputy Chief Rick Armendariz presented the folded flag to Officer Klevos in gratitude to K9 Guenther’s service. K9 Guenther was a dual purpose police service dog who served for six years and was partnered with Officer B. Klevos. K9 Guenther was trained to locate and apprehend violent criminals, locate evidence, and detect narcotics. He and Officer Klevos often participated in public presentations where K9Guenther met members of the community he served. K9 Guenther apprehended several dozen violent suspects in his career and seized several hundred pounds of illicit narcotics. He was the first police service dog to receive the Anaheim Police Department’s prestigious Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his career achievements. Thank you for your service K9 Guenther.

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.