K9 Eros – Placer County, California

Died 6/6/19
Handler – Deputy Kevin Thompson

Placer County Sheriff’s K-9 Eros dies of prostate cancer months after recovering from shooting

In a sad turn of events, Placer County K-9 Deputy Eros, who was shot during an arrest in January, died late Thursday night after a battle with Prostate cancer, sheriff’s department officials said. The Placer County Sheriff’s Department announce Eros’ death in a tweet early Friday morning along with a tribute video. Eros was the K9 officer who was struck by a bullet during a shooting spree earlier in January. Eros also suffered a broken hip bone in that incident, but was able to recover and was back on patrol by March.In recent months, however, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office says Eros was diagnosed with prostate cancer.The prostate cancer was aggressive, but the veterinary team worked hard to give Eros the best care possible. On Thursday, Eros passed away and crossed the rainbow bridge.

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.