Printer Friendly Version - A Tribute to K9 Bear at Cosgrove Shelter’s Rainbow Garden

On Sunday, Jan. 21, assisted by supporters, Carolyn Sires will officiate the installation of a commemorative brick paver honoring former Police K9 Bear in the Girl Scout project Rainbow Garden at Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Photo Courtesy Carolyn Sires

Organizer Carolyn Sires (third from left) with members of the Girl Scout troop which installed the rainbow garden as a project to enhance Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Photo Courtesy Carolyn Sires

Bear will be honored on the 12th anniversary year of his passing in 2012. According to press release issued by Branford Police Department in 2012, retired K9 Bear took his last ride in a police cruiser in January, 2012, surrounded by cruisers from East Haven and Branford police. The motorcade escorted K9 Bear from his home in East Haven to the Guilford Veterinary Hospital, where Bear was laid to rest surrounded by his handler and partner, Branford Officer Joseph Peterson and Officer David Atkinson, Branford’s K9 handler.

The press release went on to state, “Bear, a German Sheppard from the Republic of Czech, was purchased in 2001 by the East Haven Police Department at 14 months old and was assigned to Officer Peterson, who was an East Haven Police Officer at the time. Officer Peterson and Bear began their training in Bronx, New York at the New York Municipal Police Work Dog Academy in July of 2001, later graduating in December, 2001. While training the team watched as the planes flew overhead and later struck the World Trade Center.

Throughout Bear’s career with the East Haven Police Department until 2007, Bear and Peterson assisted not only East Haven residents, but surrounding communities and the Connecticut State Police on countless incidents apprehending criminals, recovering evidence and locating missing persons, during some of the investigations receiving injuries while protecting his handler and other officers.“

Sires thanks the Girl Scouts for their contribution of building the garden as project to enhance the shelter. She also thanks Cosgrove Animal Shelter Director Laura Burban for assisting with honoring Bear.

“This police officer and his dog have accomplished so much, we wanted to pay tribute in the rainbow garden to him,” said Sires.

Sires is a member of the Branford Veterans Advisory Council, president of Branford Lions Club, and a past member of Branford’s Representative Town Meeting. Additionally, Sires is the state legislation liason for Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD).

“I took this on as a project for my need to continue to serve people, dogs, and events.,” said Sires.