K9 Blek – Eugene, Oregon

Died – 11/10/17
Handler – Officer Rob Griesel

Oregon police dog Blek killed by hit-and-run driver

Eugene police announced the death of K9 Blek, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Friday while off-duty. Police said it happened in rural Lane County. K9 Blek was a German Shepherd from Slovakia according to Eugene Police. He started with the Eugene Police Department in 2012. According to Eugene police, K9 Blek was only weeks away from retirement. According to Chief Pete Kerns, “Blek has been a go-to dog for our department. He enjoyed a storied career and had a warrior’s spirit. His passing is crushing for his family and he will be missed by us all.” Just this year, Blek was honored with EPD’s and Oregon Peace Officers Association’s K9 Valor Awards, for the capture of a suspect in the shooting of a deputy. The Eugene Police department says Blek will be greatly missed.

Tags

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.
| Old Memorials | Site Map
Copyright © 1973 - 2024 Louise Krause Memorials to Fallen K-9's Hosted By PC-GEEK Site Maintained BY Jim Cortina