K9 Blitz – State Fire Marshal Explosive Detection K9

Handler – Master Deputy State Fire Marshal and Bomb Technician Ed Ernst

Retired State Fire Marshal Explosive Detection K9 “Blitz” Passes Away

The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Office Special Operations Division regrets to inform the community of the passing of retired K9 “Blitz”. Blitz was the faithful partner of Master Deputy State Fire Marshal and Bomb Technician Ed Ernst since May 2014. Blitz served as an explosive detection dog from June 2011 until October 2019. Blitz conducted explosive sweeps at M & T Bank Stadium, Oriole Park at Camden’s Yards, and FedEx Field before major events and University of Maryland football and basketball games. M/DSFM Ernst and Blitz assisted with many presidential details, including former President Trump and, at the time, Vice President Biden, along with foreign dignitary movements and events. Blitz also assisted the Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad with bomb threats, suspicious vehicles, and packages and securing perimeters. The OSFM has a long history of using only Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosive (BATF) certified canines; however, Blitz was the first Maryland State Police certified canine team for the OSFM. M/DSFM Ernst and Blitz would train together weekly to maintain their certification. With a total of 189 calls for service during his time with the OSFM, Ernst recalled one of the most memorable included an executed search warrant of a Boonsboro home where suspected pipe bombs were being constructed. Blitz successfully located a half-pound of smokeless powder in a bedroom nightstand that matched the powder used in the bombs. The 10-year-old German Shepherd was a cherished member of the Maryland State Police & the OSFM. “Blitz was an incredible dog. He loved people and loved sniffing out explosives. He was work-driven and always ready to play with his Kong’ stated M/DSFM Ernst. Blitz passed away peacefully with M/DSFM Ernst and his family by his side.

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