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2004 Wasson Memorial Award Winners Announced! Officer Humberto Morales Jr. & K-9 Partner "Niko"
This year the selection committee has unanimously selected Officer Humberto Morales Jr. and his K-9 Partner "Niko", of the New London Police Department, as the recipient of the 2004 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award. This year’s honorable mention recipients are: First runner up, Officer Daniel Lane and his K-9 Partner "Blitz" of the Waterford Police Department and second runner up is Officer David Sheehan and his K-9 Partner "Piper" of the Waterbury Police Department. Officer Morales & K-9 “Niko” of New London Police Department were selected for responding on July 2nd 2004, at approximately 2244 hours, to assist Norwich Police Department in locating a male suspect who had just committed a robbery and murdered his victim with a shot gun blast to the chest. K-9 Niko was deployed into an apartment where the suspect was believed to be hiding. K-9 Niko located the male hiding in a completely dark basement. The suspect surrendered to avoid a K-9 apprehension. K-9 Niko was recalled and the suspect later identified as the man responsible for the robbery homicide and was taken into custody without incident. Also during the past year K-9 Niko had many successful tracks and apprehensions along with finding a total of 28.9 grams of crack cocaine for the year 2004. Officer Morales and K-9 Niko were also the winners of the Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 2003. Officer Morales & K-9 “Niko” will have their names engraved on the Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 plaque, with the previous year's winners. The plaque is proudly displayed in the lobby at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden.
First Runner Up Officer Daniel P. Lane & K-9 Partner "Blitz" Waterford Police Department
First place runner up was awarded to K-9 Officer Daniel P. Lane and K-9 “Blitz” of the Waterford Police Department.
Second Runner Up Officer David T. Sheehan & K-9 Partner "Piper" Waterbury Police Department
Officer Sheehan was dispatched to the Medical Center for two suspicious males attempting to enter the Building at 0112hrs in a light snowfall. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Sheehan did find two sets of footprints around the building, and upon further investigation, Officer Sheehan observed two males on the roof of the building trying to pry open a skylight to gain entry. Upon seeing Officer Sheehan, these males fled, and jumped to the ground and separated. One of the males ran west and that is when Officer Sheehan gave his K-9 announcements twice, but when neither suspect stopped, K-9 Piper was deployed from the vehicle. K-9 Piper caught up to the suspect running on an 8' tall retaining wall. The suspect was bit on his left wrist as he attempted to push away the dog. The suspect was then subdued without further injury, and K-9 Piper was called off to a heal. The second suspect was caught a few blocks away by a second officer. (This same suspect was let out of jail awaiting trial when he stabbed both of his parents in their sleep only 2 months after this incident) Also In December, 2004, Officer Sheehan and K-9 Piper were dispatched to a large project housing area for a black male party hiding in an area with a gun who threatened to shoot anyone. A perimeter was set up and upon the K-9 announcements, the suspect ran from the building, entered the woods area and was quickly apprehended by K-9 Piper.
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New London
Police Department
