K9 Karma – Salina, Kansas

Died – 1/9/21
1st Handler – Officer Gary Hanus
2nd Handler – Officer Kyle Tonniges
3rd Handler – Officer Baker

Salina Police Department K-9 dies after long, successful career
Kansas

The Salina Police Department tonight announced the death of one of its K-9s, Karma. It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of one of our K-9’s to kidney disease. Karma served an 8+ year career providing services to the citizens of Salina. She worked with K-9 Officers Gary Hanus, Kyle Tonniges and most recently Austin Baker. Karma began her service in 2012. To Karma’s credit, she participated in hundreds of police activities yearly, including patrol enforcement, narcotics detection, community events, school and community demonstrations, tracking wanted and missing persons, and protecting the safety of others. In her career, she took 18-illegal guns off of the street and conducted over 15-successful tracks. She was also responsible for the seizure of over 200-pounds of marijuana, 9-pounds of methamphetamine, over 270-illegal prescription-narcotics, and over $420,000 in drug-related currency. Her mere presence de-escalated numerous offenders from potential assaultive behavior against officers and citizens alike. Like many K-9 partners, she assured the safety of her handler-partners on a daily basis. In the words of her longest and most recent handler, Officer Austin Baker, “Hardest day of my career today. I had to say goodbye to my K9 partner Karma. We recently found out Karma had kidney disease and was in kidney failure. Some may think she was just a dog, but I’ve spent thousands of hours with “just a dog.” I’ve spent more time with Karma in the last several years than I have with my family. I loved working with Karma and it will be a difficult transition for me to work without her!” Karma’s End of Watch (EOW) was January 9th, 2021. Rest in Peace Karma and much appreciation and love for your service to our community.

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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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