K9 Vigor – Monroe County, Tennessee

Died – 3/9/16
Handler – Deputy Sgt. BJ Johnson

Police canine drowns while tracking suspect

A police canine with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, was killed after being swept away in a raging river near Tellico Plains, Tennessee. The dog, a nine-year-old Dutch shepherd named “Vigor,” drowned in the Tellico River while in the pursuit of a wanted suspect identified as Doug Ellis. On March 10, the Sheriff’s Office released information about the tragedy which claimed Vigor’s life, “On March 9th the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department was attempting to apprehend Doug Ellis for outstanding warrants in the Cherokee National Forrest in Tellico Plains. Pursuing deputies had to cross a river, while crossing the river the current over powered Deputy Johnson and his K-9 partner Vigor.” Vigor’s handler, Sgt. BJ Johnson explained what transpired before Vigor drowned, “I slipped, and when I did, he took off. I took after him. The water was too strong as we were fighting it. As I was pulling him, I was making it worse for him. So I let him go and I figured he would make it to the other side. So I let him go.” The Sheriff’s Office stated, “Deputy Johnson attempted to save his partners life several times but the current was to strong. Deputy Vigor was located down stream and deputies immediately began CPR and unfortunately they were unable to revive Deputy Vigor.” Doug Ellis, who violated terms of his probation for kidnapping, aggravated assault and evading arrest, was arrested.

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