K9 Grizzly – Grant, Washington

Handler – Corporal Dave DeLaRosa

Retired K9 from Grant County dies due to health complications

In an announcement Friday, Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) announced the passing of retired K9, Grizzly, the first K9 brought to the force after the unit was restarted in 2016, serving for three years before retiring to the life of a family lap dog.According to his owner and former handler, Corporal Dave DeLaRosa, Grizzly fell sick and passed away with DeLaRosa beside him.”I have had many dogs over my lifetime but none as amazing as Grizzly,” said DeLaRosa in a tribute to the pup. “Thank you for protecting me as my partner at work.”According to DeLaRosa, he and Grizzly were sent to Soap Lake the very first day on the force to search a building, arresting two suspects in that incident — the first success of many to follow.”Over the years we found a lot of bad guys, located missing persons, found lots of evidence, and conducted many demonstrations,” DeLaRosa said. Grizzly also won two national calendar contests.DeLaRosa recalled Grizzly’s predilection for oepning the back door and helping himself to cat food and shoes once retired. Grizzly apparently loved to steal shoes and run, prompting a chase around the yard by his hapless owner. Despite the shoe theft, he was beloved by his family.”Grizz, you were a good boy.”

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.