K9 Tyson – New Hampshire State Police

Died 5/3/16
Handler – Trooper First Class Gregg DeLuca

NH State Police say goodbye to K9

New Hampshire State Police mourn the loss of a beloved member of their K9 division. Police said Tyson was a loyal and dedicated member up until his last day. Tyson passed away Tuesday after a devastating cancer diagnosis. He was 11 years old. Tyson was able to spend his last days with his partner, Trooper First Class Gregg DeLuca as an active K9. Tyson was a Belgian Malinois and served the State of New Hampshire for 10 years. Police said Tyson was smart, confident, and hardworking, embodying everything Belgian Malinois are known for. In 2006, Tyson partnered with TFC DeLuca as a New Hampshire State Police K-9 Team. Tyson and TFC DeLuca were a great team who worked together protecting the State of New Hampshire and their fellow Troopers. Rest in peace, Tyson.

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.