K9 Ares – Crescent City,Califotnia

Died 7/22/20
Handler – officer Gene Votruba

Former CCPD K9 officer Ares passes

Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin announced July 22 the passing of retired K9 officer Ares. “K9 Ares served this community well for several years and was able to enjoy retirement as much as he could, but in the end there were too many medical issues with Ares that ultimately brought us to today,” Griffin wrote on Facebook. Ares was officer Gene Votruba’s first K9 partner on the Crescent City police force. But after a few years together, Ares had to retire due to health issues. Ares remained with Votruba and his wife Teresa. When Votruba and his last K9 partner Django both retired together in January, they all moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. “K9 Ares became so much more than just my partner on the job. He was my best friend,” Votruba wrote on the CCPD Facebook page. “The loss of K9 Ares today is so hard to take in. The bond between a handler and a K9 is unlike any other. K9 Ares served the City of Crescent City well. This is not only a loss to my family and I, but a loss to all those that K9 Ares came in contact with in the community. K9 Django is doing great in retirement. I’m sure he will miss seeing K9 Ares around the house. Thank you for all of the love and support.” Votruba and Ares received an outpouring of support, with more than 80 comments from friends and colleagues. “My thoughts are with the Votruba family today and the future as they deal with this loss,” Griffin added. “I know how heavy this weighs on them as they treated Ares as one of their own family members.” Griffin said he is working on a proper memorial and recognition for K9 Ares to showcase his service to the community. “Rest in peace Ares, your service to the community, and dedication to this department and your handler will not be forgotten.”

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.