We thank them all for their years of dedicated service!
Retired K9 Listing
K9 Sammy served the Fairfield Police Department from 2019-2021!
K9 Sammy was certified with the National Police Canine Association and Connecticut Police Work Dog Association as an Explosive Detection Police Service Dog. She was also a certified Military Working Dog with the Department of Defense. K9 Sammy conducted numerous missions for State of Connecticut Officials, United States Senators and other high ranking dignitaries including Vice President Michael Pence.
K9 Sammy was been partnered with Officer Franck DeAngelis in 2019 and retired from service in 2021.
Sergeant Evan
Kaesmann
K9 Unit Supervisor
K9 Maverick
ekaesmann@fairfieldct.org
(203) 254-4808
Sergeant Evan Kaesmann has been a member of the Fairfield Police Department since 2009. After graduating from the Police Academy, he was assigned to the Patrol Division.
In 2012, Sergeant Kaesmann was selected as a member of the newly formed Crisis Intervention Team. From 2013 to 2015, Sergeant Kaesmann was assigned to the Special Service Division as a member of the Traffic Safety Unit and also selected as a Field Training Officer in 2013. Sergeant Kaesmann has been an operator on the Emergency Sevrices Unit since 2013 and was recently selected by his teammates as a Squad Leader.
In 2015, Sergeant Kaesmann became a K9 Handler and is currently handling K9 Maverick, a dual purpose patrol and narcotics detection K9. As a team, Sergeant Kaesmann and K9 Maverick have had hundreds of deployments within the Town of Fairfield and surrounding towns assisting in searches for fleeing suspects, missing persons, narcotics detection, building searches, suspect apprehension and evidence searches. Sergeant Kaesmann is currently a certified Firearms Instructor instructing handgun, rifle, shotgun, less lethal shotgun, and low-light firearms. Sergeant Kaesmann is also a member of the Fairfield Police Honor Guard.
Upon promotion his Promition to Sergeant, Sergeant Kaesmann assumed the supervisory responsibilities for the Department’s K9 Unit.
Sergeant Kaesmann is a graduated from Central Connecticut State University where he majored in Political Science with a Criminal Justice minor.
The Fairfield Police Department K-9 Unit is entirely funded by corporate and private donations from the community.
Donations to the K9 Unit are tax deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Thank you for your continued support!
Ruger
K9 Ruger served the Fairfield Police Department from 2011-2015. He was handled by Officer Kevin Wells who was hired by the Fairfield Police Department in March 1999 and was appointed as a K9 Handler in 2011.
K9 Ruger was born February 23rd 2010 and is a German Shepherd, dark sable in color. He comes from a long line of working dogs and was selected due to his temperament, high drive and determination to please. He was trained from an early age in obedience and tracking and was certified in Schutzhund Level I. He arrived in the U.S. in June of 2011 where he was united with his handler Officer Kevin Wells. Ruger lived and bonded with Officer Wells for several months before his formal training to ensure a successful outcome.
Officer Wells and K9 Officer Ruger attended a nine week training program at Renbar Kennels where they attained certifications from and were members of the following associations:
Ruger’s Bullet/Stab Proof Vest: The vest was acquired through a donation from Vested Interest in K-9’s Inc., an all volunteer organization based in Taunton, MA who’s mission is to provide bullet/stab proof vests for police dogs. The funding was provided to V.I. by the Sarro-Trunken Family in memory of their dog.
K9 Ruger served the Fairfield Police Department from 2011-2015. He was handled by Officer Kevin Wells who was hired by the Fairfield Police Department in March 1999 and was appointed as a K9 Handler in 2011.K9 Ruger was born February 23rd 2010 and is a German Shepherd, dark sable in color. He comes from a long line of working dogs and was selected due to his temperament, high drive and determination to please. He was trained from an early age in obedience and tracking and was certified in Schutzhund Level I. He arrived in the U.S. in June of 2011 where he was united with his handler Officer Kevin Wells. Ruger lived and bonded with Officer Wells for several months before his formal training to ensure a successful outcome.
Officer Wells and K9 Officer Ruger attended a nine week training program at Renbar Kennels where they attained certifications from and were members of the following associations:
- Renbar Kennels Certificate of Achievement
- National Police Canine Association
- North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA)
- Connecticut Police Work Dog Association (CPWDA)
Ruger’s Bullet/Stab Proof Vest: The vest was acquired through a donation from Vested Interest in K-9’s Inc., an all volunteer organization based in Taunton, MA who’s mission is to provide bullet/stab proof vests for police dogs. The funding was provided to V.I. by the Sarro-Trunken Family in memory of their dog.
On October 2, 2016, USMC Lance Corporal Jake Pettit, a Fairfield native and Combat Veteran, tragically passed away after struggling with PTS. K9 Jake is named in Lance Corporal Jake Pettit’s honor and is dedicated to both serving the Fairfield community and bringing awareness to Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).
Jake’s death was mourned by many, but especially his family and close friends who vowed to keep Jake’s memory alive and bring awareness to the struggles of those who suffer from PTS, particularly combat veterans. Jake himself was always trying to help other veterans suffering with PTS and used social media as a platform to do so. In this spirit, Sergeant Irizarry was approached by one of Jake’s closest friends, Nick Mazurok and the concept of K9 Jake began to take form. Nick proposed using funds collected in Jake’s honor to help bring awareness to PTS through a new member of the Fairfield Police Department’s K9 Unit; Jake. Sergeant Hector Irizarry, a veteran himself and father of three sons who have served in our nation’s military, committed himself to taking over where Jake left off. He thought to himself, “why stop at just naming our next K9 after Jake, why not continue to honor Jake by bringing forward his message?
Sergeant Irizarry’s personal connection to Jake’s story began to form and some previously unknown connections emerged. A veteran himself, Sergeant Irizarry is aware of the struggles of those who have served our country. In fact, all three of his sons have served in the military (USMC, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force) with his eldest son being a combat veteran in the Marine Corp and having served in the same Afghanistan Province as Jake. Sergeant Irizarry began to feel a very close connection to this cause. With this, the vision of K9 Jake evolved to not only the standard function of a Police Service Dog, or K9, but to help other veterans and non-veterans suffering with PTS by bringing awareness to the disease and sharing Jake’s story.
One year following Jake’s death, almost to the day, The Hometown Foundation and Miller Motorcars graciously donated the funds necessary to obtain K9 Jake and so it began…the dawning of the K9 Jake PTS Awareness Project.
Since being partnered with K9 Jake in October of 2017, Sergeant Irizarry and K9 Jake have spent every day together, whether it be at home, work or training. In February of 2018, K9 Jake became certified in Narcotics detection and has since been instrumental in a number of narcotics searches and arrests.
K9 Jake’s mission is not only to protect and serve the residents and visitors of Fairfield as a dual purpose Narcotics and Tracking K9 but to also honor Lance Corporal Jake Pettit by helping bring awareness to the struggles of PTS. In order to complete this mission, Sergeant Irizarry and K9 Jake have already begun making public appearances, visiting veteran and non-veteran groups and generally spreading the PTS Awareness Message. They look forward to continuing this important mission by visiting VA Hospitals, VFW meetings and anywhere they are needed along the way.
In 2020, due to changes in department structure and leadership, Sergeant Irizarry stepped down as K9 Jake’s handler but declined to retire K9 Jake to ensure he continued his mission. K9 Jake was then partnered with Officer Daniel Chase, a veteran himself, in August 2020. K9 Jake and Officer Chase served the Town of Fairfield until K9 Jake’s retirement in 2021.
The Significance of 22
According to a Department of Veterans Affairs study, it is estimated that approximately 22 Veterans take their own lives each day. This is why K9 Jake’s mission is so vitally important. To serve as a constant reminder of this tragic number, K9 Jake was assigned Badge #22 and his police vehicle was designated as Car #22.
2018 Garage Grunt Challenge:
Tribute Video
Special thanks to:
Jake’s death was mourned by many, but especially his family and close friends who vowed to keep Jake’s memory alive and bring awareness to the struggles of those who suffer from PTS, particularly combat veterans. Jake himself was always trying to help other veterans suffering with PTS and used social media as a platform to do so. In this spirit, Sergeant Irizarry was approached by one of Jake’s closest friends, Nick Mazurok and the concept of K9 Jake began to take form. Nick proposed using funds collected in Jake’s honor to help bring awareness to PTS through a new member of the Fairfield Police Department’s K9 Unit; Jake. Sergeant Hector Irizarry, a veteran himself and father of three sons who have served in our nation’s military, committed himself to taking over where Jake left off. He thought to himself, “why stop at just naming our next K9 after Jake, why not continue to honor Jake by bringing forward his message?
Sergeant Irizarry’s personal connection to Jake’s story began to form and some previously unknown connections emerged. A veteran himself, Sergeant Irizarry is aware of the struggles of those who have served our country. In fact, all three of his sons have served in the military (USMC, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force) with his eldest son being a combat veteran in the Marine Corp and having served in the same Afghanistan Province as Jake. Sergeant Irizarry began to feel a very close connection to this cause. With this, the vision of K9 Jake evolved to not only the standard function of a Police Service Dog, or K9, but to help other veterans and non-veterans suffering with PTS by bringing awareness to the disease and sharing Jake’s story.
One year following Jake’s death, almost to the day, The Hometown Foundation and Miller Motorcars graciously donated the funds necessary to obtain K9 Jake and so it began…the dawning of the K9 Jake PTS Awareness Project.
Since being partnered with K9 Jake in October of 2017, Sergeant Irizarry and K9 Jake have spent every day together, whether it be at home, work or training. In February of 2018, K9 Jake became certified in Narcotics detection and has since been instrumental in a number of narcotics searches and arrests.
K9 Jake’s mission is not only to protect and serve the residents and visitors of Fairfield as a dual purpose Narcotics and Tracking K9 but to also honor Lance Corporal Jake Pettit by helping bring awareness to the struggles of PTS. In order to complete this mission, Sergeant Irizarry and K9 Jake have already begun making public appearances, visiting veteran and non-veteran groups and generally spreading the PTS Awareness Message. They look forward to continuing this important mission by visiting VA Hospitals, VFW meetings and anywhere they are needed along the way.
In 2020, due to changes in department structure and leadership, Sergeant Irizarry stepped down as K9 Jake’s handler but declined to retire K9 Jake to ensure he continued his mission. K9 Jake was then partnered with Officer Daniel Chase, a veteran himself, in August 2020. K9 Jake and Officer Chase served the Town of Fairfield until K9 Jake’s retirement in 2021.
The Significance of 22According to a Department of Veterans Affairs study, it is estimated that approximately 22 Veterans take their own lives each day. This is why K9 Jake’s mission is so vitally important. To serve as a constant reminder of this tragic number, K9 Jake was assigned Badge #22 and his police vehicle was designated as Car #22.
2018 Garage Grunt Challenge:
Tribute Video
Special thanks to:
- The Pettit Family & Friends
- The Hometown Foundation
- Miller Motorcars
- Will Castro & Team Unique
- Superior Tactics & K9
K9 Sammy served the Fairfield Police Department from 2019-2021!K9 Sammy was certified with the National Police Canine Association and Connecticut Police Work Dog Association as an Explosive Detection Police Service Dog. She was also a certified Military Working Dog with the Department of Defense. K9 Sammy conducted numerous missions for State of Connecticut Officials, United States Senators and other high ranking dignitaries including Vice President Michael Pence.
K9 Sammy was been partnered with Officer Franck DeAngelis in 2019 and retired from service in 2021.
Sergeant EvanKaesmann
K9 Unit Supervisor
K9 Maverick
ekaesmann@fairfieldct.org
(203) 254-4808
Sergeant Evan Kaesmann has been a member of the Fairfield Police Department since 2009. After graduating from the Police Academy, he was assigned to the Patrol Division.
In 2012, Sergeant Kaesmann was selected as a member of the newly formed Crisis Intervention Team. From 2013 to 2015, Sergeant Kaesmann was assigned to the Special Service Division as a member of the Traffic Safety Unit and also selected as a Field Training Officer in 2013. Sergeant Kaesmann has been an operator on the Emergency Sevrices Unit since 2013 and was recently selected by his teammates as a Squad Leader.In 2015, Sergeant Kaesmann became a K9 Handler and is currently handling K9 Maverick, a dual purpose patrol and narcotics detection K9. As a team, Sergeant Kaesmann and K9 Maverick have had hundreds of deployments within the Town of Fairfield and surrounding towns assisting in searches for fleeing suspects, missing persons, narcotics detection, building searches, suspect apprehension and evidence searches. Sergeant Kaesmann is currently a certified Firearms Instructor instructing handgun, rifle, shotgun, less lethal shotgun, and low-light firearms. Sergeant Kaesmann is also a member of the Fairfield Police Honor Guard.
Upon promotion his Promition to Sergeant, Sergeant Kaesmann assumed the supervisory responsibilities for the Department’s K9 Unit.
Sergeant Kaesmann is a graduated from Central Connecticut State University where he majored in Political Science with a Criminal Justice minor.
The Fairfield Police Department K-9 Unit is entirely funded by corporate and private donations from the community.
Donations to the K9 Unit are tax deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Thank you for your continued support!