K9 Bruce – Salt Lake City, Utah

Died 3/17/24

SLCPD honors K9 after unexpected passing at 3 years old

The Salt Lake City Police Department is mourning one of its police bloodhounds, K9 Bruce, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 17, 2024.In a statement, police officials said that a necropsy report found that K9 Bruce, who was just a little over 3 years old, died from a medical condition that was previously unknown to his handler, family and the SLCPD. “This is devastating to K9 Bruce’s partner, his family, the K9 squad, and our entire department,” said Chief Mike Brown. “Our police canines are members of our police family and our community. K9 Bruce represented the epitome of what we expect in a police canine. His temperament was always courageous when on the job yet gentle enough to be loved by everyone he met, including children.”Police said that K9 Bruce was born in Iowa in November 2020, and later joined the SLCPD when he was eight weeks old. He was then immediately assigned to his handler.K9 Bruce passed his training and certification — achieving his first and second capture with his handler on July 1, 2021 while assisting the Taylorsville Police Department.SLCPD said that following his first capture, K9 Bruce and his handler were deployed for countless calls for service, including searching for violent offenders, fugitives and missing persons. They also helped other jurisdictions when help was needed.K9 Bruce successfully found 31 people throughout his service and lifetime.“K9 Bruce achieved so much, and we are in debt to his service and legacy,” Chief Brown added. “I will remember K9 Bruce for his personality, persistence, and the way he protected our city.”Police said that K9 Bruce lived with his handler and became a beloved member of the family. SLCPD remarked that they are remembering him as a happy, hardworking canine.“Everyone loved his playful personality and fell in love with his extra folds of soft skin,” said Chief Brown.

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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.
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