Tracking Awards

Year 2023

Officer Joseph H. Staffieri & K9 Rocky

New Haven Police Department

On July 4, 2023 Officer Staffieri and his K9 Partner Rocky conducted a track for an armed robbery suspect in the greater New Haven Area.  After tacking the suspect through yards and over multiple fences K9 Rocky gave an indication that the suspect was close.  With verbal commands from Officer Staffieri the suspect, who was hiding behind and tree and brush gave up without further incident.  Without the use of K9 Rocky the suspect would not have been located.

Year 2022

Officer David A.Gallo & K9 Argus

Seymore Police Department

On 11/8/22 Officer David Gallo and K9 Argus of the East Haven Police Department assisted the Ansonia Police Department in locating a suicidal individual that went missing from a local skate park , on scene Officers were unable to locate the individual and Officer Gallo and K9 Argus conducted a track which led into a heavily wooded man, a successful track led Officers to the individual who was found still alive with a rope noose tied around his neck and tree, If it had not been for the successful expeditious K9 Track , the individual would have perished.

Year 2021

Sergeant Garrett Kruger

Norwalk Police Department

On 11/4/21 Sgt. Kruger responded to the scene of a MV accident with his assigned police dog, the vehicle sustained severe damage and there was a noticeable “Star” pattern on the inside of the windshield at the drivers seat. the Operator had fled the scene. The temperature was below freezing and in the 20’s , a track was conducted by Sgt. Kruger and K9 Kato , after a lengthy track K9 Kato located an unconscious Female who was later identified as the Operator curled up in the Fetal position, it was determined by EMS , had she not been located in a timely manner she would have perished.

Year 2020

Officer Michael E. Colantuono & K9 Nova

Enfield Police Department

This Team conducted a Track for a missing suicidal Female juvenile, the track was over a mile long and was located by the Team along the frozen CT river with onset of Hypothermia , due this Teams work the Female was secured for medical treatment and survived.

Year 2019  

Officer Kevin J. McGuire & K9 Ace

East Haven Police Department

Upon responding to a located stolen car, on scene Officers advised that the driver had been identified and has been reported missing for approximately 2 weeks. It was further advised that the driver had several outstanding warrants and that they believed him to be suicidal. A track was conducted and subsequently the suspect was located in a marsh by K9 Ace.

Year 2018  

Officer Jason M. Jemiola & K9 Enzo

New Haven Police Department

Officer Jemiola & K9 Enzo respond to a burglary in progress to assist with a track for a suspect that fled the scene after On scene Officers attempted to take him into custody during the struggle the suspect ripped a taser prong out and fled. This neighborhood had been plagued with numerous burglaries.The track consisted of extreme terrain challenges including a steep cliff. The suspect was located by K9 Enzo and only surrendered after being challenged with a direct apprehension and call off. The capture solved numerous open burglary cases after confessing to Detectives.

Year 2017  

Officer Michael T. Colantuono & K9 Nova

Enfield Police Department

Officer Colantuono and K9 Nova were dispatched to the Town of Suffield to assist in locating a female hiker that called 911 stating she was having a medical emergency but was unable to determine or tell where she was located in the woods. Officer Colantuono & K9 Nova began a track from the Victims vehicle and was able to track down and locate her. The victim was treated and transported to the Hospital for condition thanks to the ability of K9 Nova.

Year 2016  

Officer Matthew A. Sloate & K9 Marley

New Britain Police Department

On 11/13/16 Officer Sloate and K9 Marley was dispatched to assist in locating a 77 year old person with dementia and a known history of strokes. It was late at night, cold and windy adding to complexity of the situation. Officer Sloate obtained a pillow from the home of the missing male to use as a scent article and began his track. The Track lasted over 45 minutes and over 2 miles to where they were successful in locating him. he was treating for exposure at the Hospital and released.

Year 2015  

Officer John J. Mahon & K9 Arno

Southington Police Department

On 02/04/15, Officer John Mahon and K9 Arno responded to the Southington Target store on the report that two individuals broke into the store and were observed on surveillance leaving through an opening they created. Officer Mahon and K9 Arno began a track in sub freezing temperatures. The track and search lasted 2 hours in 5 degree weather through two streams. The relentless determination of the Handler/K9 team resulted the location and capture of all three parties involved which included the driver.  It was discovered that 13 Target stores had been burglarized in the same manner which helped assist FBI close out cases from Florida to Texas. One of the suspects had extraditable warrants out of Texas and New Jersey.