K9 Hercules – Florence, Alabama

Florence Police retired K9 ‘Hercules’ dies at age 8

Retired Florence Police K9 Hercules has passed away, the department said on Thursday. Hercules, who began his career with the Florence Police Department (FPD) in 2016, was forced to retire in the spring of 2022 after a medical condition prevented his ability to meet the physical demands of his job. In a social media post on Thursday, the department confirmed the K9 died at the age of eight after enjoying a short retirement with his partner, Officer Eddie Grissom. At two years old, Hercules was donated to FPD by Global K9 Protection Services out of Franklin, Tennessee. He underwent extensive training through the United States Police Canine Association which he maintained throughout his career, completing yearly recertification. The Belgian Malinois was trained for tracking, locating evidence, apprehending violent criminals and detecting narcotics. Everyone in the department says Hercules was known for his fun personality and eagerness to work.

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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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