New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
‘Blaze was a fantastic police dog and loyal family member’
Hamden K-9 had ‘superpower’ for catching bad guys, bringing joy to children, partner says
HAMDEN — In June 2016, a German shepherd named Blaze capped one of the craziest nights for the town’s police department in recent memory.
The dog, which passed away last month after serving nine years as a Hamden K-9, chased down a suspect after a sixhour crime spree that terrorized the area around a local country club and resulted in six arrests.
Blaze was responsible for many daring captures throughout his service, Hamden police said, remembering him as a dutiful, energetic police dog who loved protecting the community and brought joy to thousands of children.
In a letter to his fellow officers dated Feb. 19, Hamden Police Sgt. Bill May, Blaze’s handler, said veterinarians had discovered a large tumor in the dog’s stomach. After Blaze’s health significantly declined, the decision was made to put him down.
“Blaze was a fantastic police dog and loyal family member,” May wrote in his letter. “He had many successful deployments, including criminal apprehensions, narcotics finds and gun seizures.”
Imported from Hungary in 2014, Blaze joined Hamden police after graduating from K-9 school in Feb. 2015, making his first drug arrest for the department a month later. He tracked down another criminal in late June 2016, apprehending a fugitive who jumped out of a secondstory window on Barbara Lane.
In 2022, Blaze caught a man who rammed two police cars in a getaway attempt.
Blaze "thrived at the challenge and danger" of catching criminals and did "everything in his superpower" to protect Hamden police officers, May said in a personal Facebook post. The dog often became excited at the sound of May putting on his police uniform, sensing the time for action was near.
“Blaze was so in tune with me, he would know when we were going to a hot call just by how fast I put the car in drive,” May wrote. “Once the sirens hit, his excitement was uncontrollable.
“There is nowhere on earth he’d rather be ... (than) by my side in the back of the cruiser,” May added.
Far from a hardened police dog, Blaze was a friendly companion that enjoyed interacting with the many children he met during community demonstrations, according to his partner.
“Blaze met thousands of children and I’m confident he made every single one of those kids’ day,” May said. “Blaze did not agree with the notion of ‘don’t pet the police dog.’ ”
Blaze’s effect on the community went beyond public safety and demonstrations, though.
In Nov. 2023, Blaze and another Hamden K-9 visited a 7-year-old boy from town who had recently been diagnosed with myeloid leukemia and was undergoing treatment, according to a Hamden police Facebook post. During their time together, the two police dogs and their handlers taught the boy, who had a love for K-9s, about what the animals do for the department.
“Blaze was an integral member of our law enforcement team, and his dedication and hard work will never be forgotten,” Hamden Police Chief Edward Page Reynolds said in a statement. “His loyalty and bravery in protecting and serving our community will always be remembered. He will be greatly missed by all who had the honor of working with him.”
Off the clock, Blaze “loved running in the yard” and playing backyard ice hockey with May and his children, often stealing the puck and turning it into a chew toy, the sergeant said.
“Our hearts are broken, but it gives me great joy to know that Blaze literally made the world a safer and better place,” May said. “Blaze was the best partner anyone could ask for.”