K9 Sam – Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Handler – Officer Ben Hardgrove

Fond du Lac police dog Sam dies after sudden illness

Sam, a 4½-year-old German shepherd, was off duty when he became sick and was taken to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Appleton. Sam died due to a “sudden, inoperable medical condition,” according to the Fond du Lac Police Department. Sam had been with the Fond du Lac Police Department for three years and worked with K9 officer Ben Hardgrove. Sam was trained in narcotics detection and apprehensions and arrests. He was also part of the department’s SWAT team. He was certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association. Sam enjoyed being part of public events where he could showcase his skills and training, according to the police department. “K9 Sam’s service to the community will always be remembered,” the department wrote in a Facebook post. There will be no formal memorial ceremony for Sam, at Hardgrove’s request. Hardgrove offered his thanks to BluePearl Animal Hospital, Steinig Tal Kennel’s owner Larry Filo, Companion Animal Care veterinarians and Animal Outfitters for their support throughout Sam’s career.

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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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