K9 Gunner – Klamath Falls, Oregon

Handler – Officer Trahern Fox

A retired police dog credited with saving multiple lives passed away over the weekend. K9 “Gunner” began his career as a police K9 with the Klamath Falls Police Department in 2007. KFPD said Gunner retired in 2017 after nearly 10 years of service. He passed away on July 15, 2017 at the age of 12. Police said Gunner was deployed over 1,100 times during his career in operations across the area. In 2011, he participated in a Medford operation that ended with the arrest of 23 individuals associated with a drug trafficking organization, according to KFPD. Two years later, Gunner took part in Operation Trojan Horse, an investigation that culminated with the arrest of 38 suspects and the dismantling of “a violent drug organization linked to Mexican drug cartels,” police said. According to police, Gunner was awarded the “Medal of Valor” in 2014 after he located and engaged a homicide suspect who was exchanging gunfire with officers. He’s credited with saving three lives in the incident. KFPD said Gunner was responsible for locating 99 suspects during his career.“Gunner was an invaluable member of our department and he will be greatly missed,” KFPD said.

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.