K9 Daro – Durham, North Carolina

Died – 3/11/22
Handler – Cpl. Roger Lafferty

A recently retired Durham Police Department K9 has died. His death comes almost a year after a line-of-duty shooting. The department announced K9 Daro was recently diagnosed with cancer and began undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Earlier this month, the department said Daro’s partner, Cpl. Roger Lafferty, reported he was “doing well and was his usual happy, energetic self”. Unfortunately, Daro’s End of Watch came Friday when he died of cancer. DPD said Lafferty was at this side when he passed. Daro was a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois. The police department wrote on Facebook: “K9 Daro was a seven-year-old Belgian Malinois who served the DPD alongside his partner, Cpl. Lafferty, with bravery and honor since 2016. End of Watch 03/11/2022. Thank you for your service, hero! Rest in peace.” Durham police Chief Patrice Andrews awarded Daro with the Purple Heart on Friday. On his certificate, Andrews wrote regarding his shooting, “He attempted to apprehend an armed suspect while protecting his handler and other officers. By risking his own life, K9 Daro’s actions may very well have saved the lives of three officers.” On March 30, 2021, Daro was helping officers track a suspect wanted in connection with several thefts in the area. Daro was released when he and Lafferty closed in the suspect, Trey Deshawn Christie. Christie shot Daro in the muzzle. The bullet shattered his teeth and lodged in his tongue. Daro had been with the department for four years at that point. He recovered from his injuries and returned to duty in July. Trey Deshawn Christie, 21, of Durham faced several charges after his capture including assault on a law enforcement animal inflicting serious injury,

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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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