K9 Gunther – Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Died – 10/16/17
Handler – Officer Christopher St. Pierre

Cops, town officials mourn loss of decorated police dog

It is with great sadness to announce K-9 Gunther was laid to rest last evening due to a sudden medical issue. K-9 police dog, who served in Old Orchard Beach for nearly 10 years, has died. Gunther the K-9 assisted in incidents that included tracking criminals, drug seizures and finding missing children. He also received numerous awards, including a national honor for his work tracking and leading to the arrest of a dangerous bank robber. Gunther also served as an ambassador to the community, making public appearances and classroom visits. “It is with great sadness and a really broken heart that I tell you of the passing of our Gunther. The unexpected passing leaves us all with a great sense of sadness for he was so much a part of our community and life,” Assistant Old Orchard Beach Town Manager V. Louise Reid said. “Gunther will be missed by his handler Officer Christopher St. Pierre and his law enforcement family here at the police department,” the Old Orchard Beach Police Department posted on its Facebook page.

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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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