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Handler – Officer Dan Loris
Shelton police mourn retired K9 Stryker
Community members and law enforcement took to social media Tuesday, paying tribute to Stryker, the city’s police K9 officer who retired in 2020. Longtime handler Dan Loris, now a Fairfield police officer, announced Stryker’s death on Facebook Tuesday, stating that “he was more of a partner than you could ever imagine. He was a best friend to me.” Stryker, who was nearly 9 when he retired, worked alongside Loris since the pair’s arrival on the force in 2014. Police Chief Shawn Sequeira said Loris had purchased Stryker, who had had surgery prior to his retirement, for $1. “K9 Stryker and I are both graduates of the Connecticut State Police Training Troops, forever connecting us as troopers,” Sequeira said. “The SPD was honored to have Stryker as a member of our department and is grateful for his years of service in his recognized drug seizures, missing persons, crime solving, and critical role in solving investigations.” Stryker was the top dog in the Connecticut State Police 173rd Training Troop and a graduate of the Connecticut State Police 185th Narcotics Detection. His career with the Shelton police included sniffing out 55 pounds of fentanyl, worth about $1.5 million, during the stop of a tractor trailer in 2016 on Route 34 on the approach to Derby and Route 8. This was, at the time, one of the biggest fentanyl finds in the state’s history. “He will be forever remembered in his imperative tasks in assisting other agencies with policing,” Sequeira said. “Our sincere condolences to all who knew K9 Stryker, especially his handler, Officer Dan Loris.” Shelton police acquired Stryker in 2014, following the retirement of then-K9 Jager. Stryker was purchased from Erich Grasso of Grasso Shepherds in Shelton, which has provided several dogs to various law enforcement agencies. Loris and Stryker graduated from the Connecticut State Police K9 Academy in May 2015. The team was recognized as the Daniel Wasson Award for outstanding service recipient upon graduation.
