The Orange Police department suffered a loss today with the line of duty death of K-9 Major. While responding to a disabled vehicle call on Route 34, Major was struck and killed instantly by a commercial truck.
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“Our entire Department is deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic accident. Officer Brown and K-9 Major made a great team and we are all concentrating on giving Chris our full support at this difficult time,” said Orange Police Chief Robert Gagne in a release about the accident.
Major and his handler, Officer Chris Brown, were responding to a disabled vehicle call on Route 34 near Sodom lane. In the course of helping the vehicle, Major was struck and instantly killed. Brown was not injured.
The truck driver stopped instantly and no charges are expected though there will be an investigation.
Major was less than two years old and was a graduate of the Connecticut State Police 166th Patrol Dog Class on June 5, 2014.
Major and Brown completed a 15-week course covering tracking, evidence recovery and apprehension. Brown’s primary assignment will be the evening shift.
Major was purchased with the help of an American Kennel Club matching grant from Connecticut K-9 Services of Bethany.
The accident remains under investigation, however the operator of the truck stopped immediately and no charges are expected to be filed.
Police have no further information at this time.