Current Wasson Winner

These annual awards are chosen from line of duty deployments submitted by Connecticut police canine teams that exemplify the highest tradition of police canine law enforcement. The award plaque honoring Officer Daniel Wasson and the winners of this prestigious award, hangs proudly in the lobby of the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, Connecticut.

The Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award Nomination Committee for the year 2007 consisted of Chief Keith Mello of the Milford Police Department, Chief Joseph Dooley of the Orange Police Department and Chief Michael Imbro of the Stratford Police Department who selected the award recipient and two honorable mention recipients from nominations received throughout our state.

This year the selection committee has unanimously selected Officer Matthew Lima and his K-9 Partner "Judge", of the Milford Police Department, as the recipient of the 2006 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award. This year’s honorable mention recipients are: First runner up, Officer Jason M. Venditto and his K-9 Partner "Titan" of the Hamden Police Department and second runner up is Officer Thomas E. Clements and his K-9 Partner "Zak" of the Stratford Police Department.

Officer Matthew J. Lima & K-9 “Judge” were selected for being involved in numerous cases resulting in important captures.

On February 18, 2006 at approximately 0931 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” along with several officers responded to Milford Hospital to assist in locating an escaped suicidal psychiatric patient. Upon arrival Officer Lima initiated a track with K-9 “Judge”; the track proceeded along several residential streets for approximately ¾ of a mile. K-9 “Judge” tracked to the front door of a residence where he sat indicating that the subject had entered the residence. Upon making entry into the residence the subject was located on the second floor still wearing his hospital gown. The subject was taken into custody and returned to the hospital without incident.

On April 30, 2006 at approximately 0318 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” responded to the area of Stratford Av. & Fifth Av. in the city of Bridgeport to assist the Bridgeport Police. Officers from the Bridgeport Police Department had responded to a report of shots fired. Upon officers arriving at the scene they observed a vehicle fleeing at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle which failed to yield and attempted to elude the officers. The vehicle was pursued until it crashed at which time the occupants fled on foot. Upon arrival Officer Lima initiated a track with K-9 “Judge”; the track consisted of a difficult city track which included fences, hard surfaces and onlookers. K-9 “Judge” tracked for approximately ½ of a mile. In the area of the intersection of Newfield St. and Stratford Av. two Bridgeport cruisers were parked. Standing outside the cruisers were five officers. Seated in the front seats of one of the cruisers were two officers and seated in the front seat of the second cruisers was another officer. Both cruisers had their windows completely open. K-9 “Judge” tracked coming within two feet of the officers standing outside of the cruisers and passing the cruiser with two officers seated in it. K-9 “Judge” tracked to the rear passenger side door of the second cruiser where K-9 “Judge” jumped up on the door and began scratching indicating that the subject was seated in the rear of the cruiser. The Bridgeport officers had a subject detained in the rear of the cruiser that Officer Lima was unaware of. A subsequent search of the subject was conducted where a 9mm handgun was located strapped to the subjects leg under his pants.

On June 28, 2006 at approximately 0456 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” responded to 54 Bradley Rd in the town of Woodbridge to assist the Woodbridge Police. Officers from the Woodbridge Police Department had responded to the addresses on the report of a sexual assault. Upon arrival Officer Lima learned that a male subject had entered the residence through an open window and sexually assaulted the 27 year old female resident. The resident was able to fight the subject off at which time the subject escaped through the bedroom window. Officer Lima initiated a track with K-9 “Judge”; the track consisted of hard surfaces, residential yards, and onlookers. K-9 “Judge” tracked for approximately 1 ½ miles. Upon reaching the intersection of Route 15 exit 59 off ramp and Whalley Avenue K-9 “Judge” tracked toward two Woodbridge cruisers parked along the roadway. Standing outside the cruisers were two Woodbridge officers and three civilians. K-9 “Judge” stayed focused passing within feet of the individuals and tracked to the rear passenger side door of one of the Woodbridge cruisers. Unknown to Officer Lima the Woodbridge Officers had detained a male subject who was walking in the area and matched the suspect’s description.

On September 9, 2006 at approximately 0213 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” along with two other officers responded to the Milford Jai Alai building on the report of a burglar alarm activation. Upon the first two officers arrival they located a rear glass door which had been forced open. The two officers immediately encountered a suspect just inside the door which had been forced open and took him into custody. Upon Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge’s” arrival they made entry into the building. As per training and procedure, Officer Lima made repeated announcements ordering any suspects inside to surrender and warning of the police trained canine. After no response being received, K-9 “Judge” was directed to search for any suspects. Officer Lima followed K-9 “Judge” who went further into the building and then negotiated a set of stairs leading to the highest point of the building. Upon reaching the top of the stairs K-9 “Judge” entered a rear room through an open door which was a mechanical equipment room. Once inside this room K-9 “Judge” gave a positive indication, barking aggressively and looking up, at an access ladder leading to the heating and air conditioning units for the building. Upon officers ascending the thirty foot ladder which lead to a cat walk, officers located a male suspect hiding in the air conditioning duct approximately five feet from the top of the ladder.

On September 19, 2006 at approximately 0654 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” responded to 48 Kerema Av. on the report of a burglary. Upon arrival it was learned that the resident had observed two males exit her detached garage and flee the area on foot. Officer Lima initiated a track with K-9 “Judge” from a rear door of the garage which had been forced open. The track proceeded north through the rear yard of the residence. The track continued into a neighboring yard along a set of bushes. At that point K-9 “ Judge” located a hammer on the ground which was use to break the padlock off the door to the garage. The track continued into the driveway of 37 Intervale Parkway where K-9 “Judge” began to circle the area next to the detached garage indicating that the suspects were in that area. Upon a search of the garage the two suspects were located hiding on the second floor of the garage. The two suspects were taken into custody and were still in possession of the stolen property.

On October 8, 2006 at approximately 0208 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” responded to the parking lot of the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall on the report of a large fight. While enroute communications room personnel advised that one of the suspects was fleeing the area on foot and gave a description of the suspect. Upon Officer Lima arriving in the area he located the suspect in the area of I-95 exit 39 and the Boston Post Rd. Upon parking and exiting his patrol car Officer Lima ordered the suspect to place his hands on the hood of the patrol car. The suspect ignored the commands and began to walk away from Officer Lima. While walking toward the suspect Officer Lima again ordered him to stop and place his hands on the hood of the patrol car. The suspect continued to ignore the commands failing to comply at which time Officer Lima grasped the suspects arm. By grasping the suspects arm and using a muscling technique Officer Lima brought the suspect to his patrol car. By this time the male suspect was verbal stating “no way, no way” to which he was again ordered to place his hands on the hood of the patrol car. At that time the suspect physically began to resist Officer Lima and pulled away from him. The suspect then spun facing Officer Lima lifting his fists up toward his chest as if he was taking a boxers stance. Officer Lima shoved the suspect into the hood of the patrol car and grabbed onto both of the suspects wrists in order to prevent the suspect from striking him. Officer Lima continued to order the suspect to stop resisting and to place his hands behind his back. At that point K-9 “Judge”, who is trained to come to the aid of Officer Lima, deployed himself through the drivers window of the patrol car. K-9 “Judge” responded with out command and apprehended the suspect by grasping his right hip. Without K-9 “Judge” loosening his grip Officer Lima ordered the suspect to place his hands behind his back and if he stopped resisting the dog would be called off. At that point Officer Lima was able to gain control of the suspect. Officer Lima then gave K-9 “Judge” the command to disengage which he did immediately and released his grasp of the suspect. K-9 “Judge” then went into a down watch while Officer Lima hand cuffed the suspect.

On November 19, 2006 at approximately 0830 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” responded to the southbound Milford rest area on Interstate 95 to assist the state police. Upon arrival it was learned that a motor vehicle accident had occurred on the interstate and the operator of one of the vehicles fled the scene of the accident. A witness followed the suspect vehicle into the parking lot of the rest area. The witness reported that the operator exited the vehicle and then went back into the vehicle and removed an item placing it down the front of his pants. The operator then fled through the parking lot and entered a wooded area to the rear of the rest area. Officer Lima initiated a track with K-9 “Judge” from the driver’s seat of the motor vehicle. The track proceeded through the parking lot where K-9 “Judge” negotiated two guardrails and entered the woods. K-9 “Judge” continued to track through the heavily wooded area for approximately ¾ of a mile. Upon reaching a finger in the terrain K-9 “Judge” began to circle the area between two fingers. On top of one of the fingers was dense brush of approximately five feet in height. At that point K-9 “Judge” was removed from the tracking harness and deployed on a scout. K-9 “Judge” entered the brush with Officer Lima following. At that time back up officers began to circle around the lower portion of the finger checking the area for the suspect. Approximately 25 yards down the finger from the K-9 one of the backup officers indicated that he located the suspect hiding in the brush. Officers then closed in on the suspect who was lying on his back in thick brush with his hands down the front of his pants. After repeated commands to remove his hands and to come out of the brush K-9 “Judge” was deployed to apprehend the suspect. K-9 “Judge” grasped the suspect at which time the suspect began to fight the K-9. K-9 “Judge” was able to drag the suspect out of the brush where officers were able to take him into custody.

On December 8, 2006 at approximately 2326 Officer Lima & K-9 “Judge” responded to a commercial burglary. Upon arrival it was learned that a witness had observed a male smash out a window and enter the business. Officer Lima made initial entry with K-9 “Judge” and a back up officer in support. As per training and procedure, Officer Lima made repeated announcements ordering the suspect inside to surrender and warned of the police trained canine. No response was received and K-9 “Judge” was deployed to search for the suspect. After a few minutes K-9 “Judge” gave a positive indication barking and jumping up on the wall to a free standing bathroom. Officer Lima and back up officer approached K-9 “Judge’s” location and saw he was indicating a high find. Upon back up officer checking the roof to the bath room the suspect was located lying on the roof in between the roof and the air conditioning ducts. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

These are just a few of this K9 team's successes in 2006 leading to their nomination for the Daniel Wasson Award.

On April 05, 2006 Officer Venditto was dispatched to 140 Woodin St. in Hamden to assist in locating an individual wanted for punching his girlfriends 19-year-old son several times in the face and then running from the residence. Officer Venditto and his K-9 partner "Titan" started a track in the rear yards of Woodin St. K-9 "Titan" immediately picked up the scent of the wanted suspect and tracked through several yards. K-9 "Titan" quickly located the suspect hiding behind a stockade fence in the rear yards of Woodin St. The suspect was arrested and charged with: Assault 3rd degree and Disorderly Conduct.

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On July 09, 2006 Hamden Police Officers were involved in a pursuit of a three individuals operating a pick up truck. The suspects had just stolen a moped and refused to obey orders to stop. A short time later two of the suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officer Venditto and K-9 "Titan" assisted by Officer Todd Ames started a track along the wood-line were the operator was last observed. K-9 "Titan" located the scent of the suspect and began tracking through a wooded area. The team exited the woods onto Blacy St. and continued tracking. K-9 "Titan" began to show indications that the suspect was close, but they did not see anyone in the area. K-9 "Titan" tracked to a large pile of grass clippings where he located the suspect hidden from view underneath. K-9 "Titan" engaged the suspect when he did not obey commands and was subsequently arrested without further incident. The suspects were charged with numerous charges including: Larceny 4th degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Engaging Police Officers in Pursuit, Reckless Driving, Simple Trespass, and Reckless Driving.

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The Hamden Police Department was investigating numerous home invasions which occurred between May and July of 2006. The cases involved a black male who would enter homes of women home alone in the early morning hours. When inside he would expose himself and masturbate. In one instance he got into the bed of a female and attempted to sexually assault her. The Police Department had this case as our highest priority and we were determined to
find and arrest the suspect before anyone was seriously injured. On July 17, 2006 at approximately 0348 hours Officer Mark Sheppard located a male matching the description of the suspect. Officer Sheppard attempted to speak to the suspect, but he jumped off of his bicycle and fled on foot. Officer Venditto started a track from the bicycle and his K-9 partner "Titan" immediately began tracking K-9 "Titan" led Officers through numerous yards and across several streets. As they tracked down West Side Dr. in the rear of 23 West Side Dr. Officer heard someone in the woods. K-9 "Titan" tracked directly into the wooded area when the Officers observed the suspect running away in the distance. The suspect was crossing a river when Officer Venditto shouted for him to stop or he would release "Titan". Officer Venditto lost sight of the suspect, so they continued the track trusting K-9 "Titan". As they continued tracking they again observed the suspect ahead of them jumping over fences. K-9 "Titan tracked through a deep river and was just behind the suspect. As they approached him the suspect attempted to jump over a fence and was apprehended. The time on this track was approximately 40 minutes. The suspect was arrested and confessed to being the night-time home invader. He was later charged with sexual assault and numerous burglaries in both Hamden and New Haven.

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On August 23, 2006 Officer Venditto and his partner "Titan" responded to help locate several people believed to be breaking into automobiles. Officer Venditto began a track near the automobile the suspects were attempting to enter. K-9 "Titan" picked up the scent and tracked down a sidewalk on Haverford St. While tracking he located a pair of sunglasses taken from the vehicle. "Titan" continued tracking over numerous roads including, Ridge Rd, High Meadow Rd., Hawley Rd., Jesswig Dr., and finally Charlson Lane. K-9 "Titan" tracked directly to the rear door of 18 Charlson Lane indicating that the suspects had gone inside. Officers were eventually let inside and located the two suspects inside. The two individuals were arrested for: Criminal Trespass and Larceny 6th Degree.

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On August 31, 2006 Officer Venditto responded to 134 Fans Rock Rd. on the report of two individuals breaking into vehicles. Officer Venditto located two bicycles on arrival and started a track from this location. K-9 "Titan" tracked the suspect through numerous rear yards. As the team approached 1521 Shepard Ave. they located two males hiding in a brush pile. Both surrendered and were taken into custody. The suspects confessed to attempting to break into ten cars. They said they were able to gain access to two and stole items worth thousands of dollars. Several of the stolen items were located along the track path and included a HandyCam, Ipod, cell phone and the two bicycles. They were subsequently charged with: Burglary, Conspiracy, Possession of Burglary Tools and Larceny 3rd, 4th, and 6th.

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On October 24, 2006 Officer Eric Hallstrom pursued a suspicious vehicle. The driver eventually fled on foot after his two front tires blew out. Officer Venditto responded with his partner "Titan" to conduct a track. K-9 "Titan" tracked from the location the suspect was last observed and quickly began pulling through a wooded area. The team continued down Old Coach Highway and into the rear yard of 103 Nolan Rd. K-9 "Titan" stopped at the front door, indicating the suspect went inside. The suspect was later located inside the residence. The suspect was charged with: Interfering, Reckless Driving, Disobeying and Officers Signal, Engaging an Officer in Pursuit, Failure to obey Signal, Evading Responsibility and Criminal Mischief 1st Degree.

Officer Thomas Clements & K-9 “ ZAK ” were involved in numerous cases resulting in arrests and seizures of drugs.

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On April 19th, 2006 The K-9 Unit, assisted Stratford and Bridgeport Narcotic Units on a search warrant at a residence. Zak, alerted on a trash bag hidden behind plumbing pipes in a closet. The bag contained one pound of marijuana.

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On May 5th,2006 Officers' became involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit which struck a parked vehicle. The driver fled on foot and a perimeter was set up. Zak, tracked from the vehicle to a fenced in construction company property. Several announcements were made into the yard with no response. Zak, was deployed into the yard under the fence. While searching around the construction equipment, the suspect, who had been hidding under a truck attempted to climb back over the fence and was apprehended by, Zak.

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On September 6th, 2006 The K-9 Unit, pursued a stolen vehicle that had just been stolen from a parking lot. The pursuit continued into Bridgeport where the suspect crashed into a parked vehicle. The suspect ran from the vehicle and was taken to the ground by Zak, and taken into custody.

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On September 25th, 2006 The K-9 Unit, assisted D.E.A. and Stratford Narcotic Unit's on a motor vehicle stop. Zak, alerted on a package hidden under the drivers seat which contained a kilo of cocaine.

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On October 20th, 2006 During a motor vehicle stop, an Officer observed the driver attempting to swallow 17 small bags of crack as he approached the vehicle. Officer's attempted to remove the driver, who began to struggle with the Officer's. The driver attempted to drive off and was tazed, having little effect. The driver was bitten by Zak, who complied and was pulled from the vehicle. The 17 bags were recovered from the drivers mouth. Zak, located an additional 46 individual bags of crack cocaine hidden inside the vehicle.

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On October 24th, 2006 While conducting a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of a motel, Zak, alerted on three of the vehicle's hubcaps. Officers located 30 small bags of marijuana, one bag containing 24 ounces of marijuana, and 37 small bags of ecstasy pills, totaling 185 pills.

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On October 28th, 2006 K-9 Unit assisted UPS Security, along with Stratford and Bridgeport Narcotic Units, who were conducting a narcotic investigation involving UPS employees. A traffic stop was conducted on the UPS truck and two vehicles that had stopped on a side street for an exchange. Zak, was detailed inside the UPS truck and vehicles resulting in the seizure of four box's containing a total of 136 pounds of marijuana and three thousand in cash. Two UPS employees were arrested for narcotic violations.

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