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BELOVED MADISON POLICE DOG GWEN PASSES AWAY
She wasn’t the chief and she didn’t drive a squad car, but recently retired police canine Gwen was a loved and respected member of the Madison Police force. After more than a decade of service as a highly successful police narcotics detection K-9, the department announced Gwen recently passed away. Gwen, a female black Labrador, turned 14 in November. Gwen began her career with the Connecticut State Police and was partnered with Trooper First Class Richard Perron. When Perron moved to the Madison Police Department in 2009, where he is now a lieutenant, Gwen came with him, triggering the rebirth of the Madison Police Canine Program. She officially retired earlier this year. The Madison 911 Emergency Communications Center Facebook Page shared the news of her passing on Monday evening:“It is with great sadness that we share with you, the passing of retired police canine Gwen. Not only has Gwen assisted in many drug arrests over her lifetime, she was also a part of the Madison Police Department family and the unofficial mascot for the 911 center. Gwen would spend many a day lounging in the dispatcher and begging us for treats or a taste of our lunch. Our sweet Gwennie will be greatly missed.” This is the announcement from Chief of Police Jack Drumm: “Yesterday I was informed by Lt. Richard Perron that retired police canine Gwen has passed away. With a heavy heart I thought of her career, the many narcotic seizures, and the humor and joy she would bring to any assignment. I remember how she would spend idle time lying on the various task force office floors chewing whatever came her way, and especially discarded plastic water bottles. Let’s face it, the dog liked to eat and the thought of food was her reward! “‘Gwennie’ as she was known to law enforcement circles, was one of the most successful police narcotic canines to come out of the Connecticut State Police K-9 Training Academy. She served with distinction the Connecticut State Police and later would follow her trainer and handler Detective Perron to the doors of the Madison Police Department where she would serve equally again with such distinction. Gwen quickly learned the ‘Madison beat’ and ‘captured’ the hearts of the members of the Madison Police Department and the community that she served. “I personally worked with and remember Gwennie’s days in the various state, local, and federal task forces. Her reputation in law enforcement was well known! She was well trained and was successful in the most difficult of narcotic searches, and would very rarely disappoint. “Lieutenant Perron we are most sorry for your lost, and of the loss to law enforcement of our beloved Gwen. May she suffer no more and may she rest in peace.”Gwen’s drug-sniffing nose led to a number of high-profile busts with the state police. In her career, Gwen helped with the seizure of 24 kilos of cocaine, thousands of bags of heroin, and multiple pounds of marijuana, totaling well over $100,000 in value, according to Perron.Gwen and Perron were involved with investigations targeting drug-trafficking organizations in Northern Connecticut, motorcycle gangs, and the notorious Almighty Latin King Nation gang running drugs in Hartford. Over the years, Gwen and Perron worked with the FBI, ATF, DEA, and numerous state and municipal agencies. Perron said all officers and agents who interacted with Gwen knew she was an important asset. Gwen’s life in Madison over the past few years was calmer, but Gwen still trained every day and went out on car stops, building searches, and other narcotics-based investigations. She performed demonstrations for elementary schools and was sometimes taken out on a call to console an adult or child in crisis up until her retirement.
