Niagara Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of canine, EJ
Provided photo: EJ, a canine with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, is pictured with his handler and partner, Deputy Richard Bull.
Press Release, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
LOCKPORT – It is with great sadness that Sheriff James R. Voutour announces the sudden passing of Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Canine EJ, handled by his partner Deputy Richard Bull.
Bull discovered Canine EJ unresponsive inside his kennel on Friday. Preliminary findings suggest Canine EJ passed away from a medical condition known as gastric torsion of the stomach. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Canine EJ was born on September 25, 2015 in Hungary and began his career with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office in March 2017. Canine EJ was purchased in part from many generous community donations to Niagara County Law Enforcement Foundation.
“The Community has always been great supporters of our Canine Division as well as the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Voutour.
Canine EJ and his partner, Deputy Bull, were New York State certified in criminal apprehension, area searches, building searches, muzzle deployment, tactical high-risk deployment, tracking and advanced narcotics detection.
During their career as a canine team, Deputy Bull and Canine EJ were responsible for several successful tracks, the recovery of numerous pieces of evidence and discovery of illegal narcotics. They also conducted several demonstrations at various events throughout Niagara County, including Lockport Blue, D.A.R.E., Young Marines and the Niagara County Fair.
“While Canine EJ’s tenure with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office was short, he undoubtedly will be remembered for his hard work, loyal friendship to Deputy Bull and service to Niagara County,” Voutour said.
Canine EJ was named after LCpl. Eric James Orlowski, a United States Marine, fellow Marine and friend of Deputy Bull, who was killed in action on March 22, 2003 during Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.
