K9 Murphy – Bristol, Connecticut

Died – 3/28/22
Handler – Officer Timothy O’Brien

Bristol police on Monday had to say goodbye to perhaps the most loyal type of partner one will have in law enforcement: a K-9. “Sadly,” Bristol police Chief Brian Gould said Tuesday, “members of the Bristol Police Department gathered to say goodbye to one of our police K-9s. K-9 Murphy was a valued member of the Bristol Police Department team.” According to police, K-9 Murphy joined the Bristol department in October 2011, entering the Connecticut State Police K-9 Academy. The K-9 started patrolling Bristol in January 2012 with his partner, Timothy O’Brien, who was an officer at that time. Police said the duo worked very well together, resulting in K-9 Murphy being credited with 270 tracks, 45 finds, the serving of 45 felony warrants and 13 apprehensions. The K-9 assisted other agencies 72 times in his career, searched 63 buildings during various investigations and related incidents, and did 20 “outside area” searches, police said. The animal also helped locate and recover 26 pieces of evidence. Beyond helping in investigations and other emergency response situations, K-9 Murphy and O’Brien participated in numerous community events, including K-9 demos for scouts, schools and youth programs. “There was no task that they weren’t willing to take on,” Gould said Tuesday. “K-9 Murphy enjoyed his time with the youth in our community.” In 2019, K-9 Murphy retired from police work when his handler, O’Brien, was promoted to sergeant. The dog spent the rest of his life with the O’Brien family. Sadly, Gould said, K-9 Murphy was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy – which is a disease affecting the spinal cord. This condition results in a slow, progressive weakness and eventual paralysis of the hind limbs. “We were very fortunate to have K-9 Murphy serving our community and we will certainly miss him,” Gould said. “I and many others were thankful to spend some time with him (Monday) before he was laid to rest,” the chief continued. “I am so appreciative of the O’Brien family for giving us the opportunity to say our goodbyes and thank him for his remarkable service. Now, K-9 Murphy is at peace and we celebrate his life.”

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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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