K9 Fritz – Hillsborough County, Florida

Handler – Deputy Bruce

2-year-old Florida K-9 dies after suffering heart attack

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their K-9 officers.K-9 Fritz had a heart attack over the weekend while he was at home with his family over the weekend, according to officials. He was just two-years-old.“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Bruce who was the human handler, partner, and friend to K9 Fritz and the entire K9 Unit,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook. K9 Fritz joined the sheriff’s office in October of 2018. The Dutch Shepherd was a dual-purpose K-9, trained in drug detection and criminal apprehension. He and Deputy Bruce made numerous arrests for crimes including drugs, guns, burglaries, and robberies. The sheriff’s office said when Fritz wasn’t working, he loved to play with his kong and hang out with the Bruce family. “Thank you for your service to Hillsborough County, K9 Fritz. Rest in peace. From all of us here at HCSO, good boy, Fritz. Good Boy.”

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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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