K9 Gold – Waverly, Ohio

Died – 1/28/23
Handler – Sergeant Taylor

Ohio’s police dog ‘Sergeant K9 Gold’ dies at 11

The passing of Sergeant K9 Gold has left the police department in Ohio mourning. The 11-year-old Belgian Malinois named Gold passed away on Saturday morning, January 28, at a vet’s office while being attended by his handler, Sergeant Taylor, family, and Chief Winfield.After starting his career in 2013 with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant K9 Gold was transferred to the Waverly Police Department that same year. According to the Waverly Police Department, he was born on October 27, 2011, in France. Sergeant K9 Gold, throughout his career, assisted multiple agencies, countless drug seizures, evidence location, and apprehensions of fleeing suspects, according to the Waverley Police Department. Officers with the Waverly Police Sergeant K9 Gold’s cruiser will remain parked in front of the agency on Monday, January 30, to allow the community to pay its respects, the Waverly Police department announced in a news release.”On Saturday, October 8th, 2022 at 2358 hrs. Gold was asked to assist with a traffic stop involving Pike County Sheriff Deputy. Gold was asked to conduct a narcotic sniff around the exterior of a vehicle during their traffic stop. Gold positively alerted to the odor of narcotics and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. Located were Approximately 1oz of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, Suboxone, Percocet, and drug paraphernalia,” one among the multiple seizures the K9 Gold conducted appears on his Facebook page. Meanwhile, tributes have also poured online on the passing away of Gold with one stating, “Prayers for Sgt. Taylor, family and the whole Police Department, thank you Sgt. K9 Gold for your service. You will always be missed!” Another wrote, “RIP Sgt. K9 Gold……condolences to your Dad, Family, and Fellow Officers. Good Dogs are not forgotten……they live in hearts forever.” One more said, “Thank you for your service. My condolences to the family, and his co-workers.”One of the social media, users pointed out that Gold had an awesome career, “I am so very sorry. Gold had an awesome career. Sgt. Taylor and family my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how much you loved Gold.” Another recalled an experience meeting him, “I remember when he first came to the sheriff’s office. I loved that dog. Rip big guy, hope you get lots of chicken nuggets in heaven.”

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.