K9 Rico – West Lafayette, Indiana

Died 7/26/17
Handler – Sergeant Michael Brewer

West Lafayette police announce passing of K9 partner ‘Rico’

The West Lafayette Police Department has a heavy heart following the sudden passing of their former K9 partner, “Rico.” The dog unexpectedly had to be euthanized on Wednesday due to a medical condition. The department’s sympathy goes our to his handler, Sergeant Michael Brewer, who was Rico’s partner from 2009 to 2015. His brief retirement was spent at home with Brewer. Rico performed many heroic acts over the years, but his best might have been right before he retired. In July 2015, while camping with Brewer, Rico awoke the officer to a fire in a neighbor’s garage. His act helped save the neighbor’s home and possibly their lives. The department says that he will be deeply missed.

Tags

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.
| Old Memorials | Site Map
Copyright © 1973 - 2024 Louise Krause Memorials to Fallen K-9's Hosted By PC-GEEK Site Maintained BY Jim Cortina