Related Articles
Died – 11/2/23
Handler – Detective Corie Joerger
Beloved Petaluma police K-9 responsible for seizing over $1M in narcotics dies
The Petaluma Police Department announced with heavy heart the death of retired K-9 Basko, a longtime police service dog for the department. Basko died Nov. 2. He was 12 years old. He’d retired from the department in 2020 after serving the department for eight years, since 2012.”Basko served as an invaluable member of our department, with multiple criminal apprehensions and narcotic seizures during his career,” Petaluma police Sgt. Jake Gutierrez said Thursday in a news release. “Basko was beloved and a favorite at department events due to his gentle nature.”Basko, a Belgian Malinois, lived out his retirement with his handler, Detective Corie Joerger, and her family. The pair’s career was a true testament to the proud and prolific legacy of the Petaluma Police Department’s K-9 Unit, Gutierrez said.Joerger and Basko were a reputable team utilized not only for critical Petaluma Police Department calls for service, but also to help on cases with allied law enforcement partners in the region.Basko’s skills included handler protection, suspect apprehension, article searches and narcotics detection. Together, Joerger and Basko served with distinction for eight years and were responsible for numerous high-risk suspect apprehensions. Most notably, Basko was credited for apprehending a wanted gang member and parolee who fled from a commercial burglary and initiated a dangerous DUI vehicle pursuit.In the area of narcotics enforcement, Basko was recognized for seizing more than $3 million in U.S. currency and for more than $1 million in illegal narcotics, police said.Basko was surrounded by friends and family when he passed.Joerger, her family, and the Petaluma Police Department extended a special thanks to Rohnert Park Animal Services, and, in particular, registered veterinarian technician Sara Ostrem. Their services, assistance and compassion with Basko’s passing were invaluable, Gutierrez said.”Our thoughts are with Detective Joerger and her family who loved and adored Basko and made his life after police work a life well lived.”Anyone who would like to make a donation in honor of Basko can send a check made out to the Petaluma Police K-9 Unit and send it to the Petaluma Police Department, 969 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, CA 94952. Checks will be processed by the Petaluma Police Officers Association for the K-9 Unit, Gutierrez told Patch.According to Gutierrez, the Petaluma Police Department currently has three K-9s in service: K-9 Jax, a Belgian Malinois who does criminal apprehension and narcotics searches; K-9 Cash, a Belgian Malinois who also does criminal apprehension and narcotic searches; and K-9 Pinky, a Labrador Mix who is a bomb search dog and gun search dog.
