Mono canine officer killed by car

The Mono County Sheriff's Department reported Thursday that canine officer Razor was killed in a traffic accident in Riverside, Calif.

Undersheriff Greg Busey said Razor, a black German shepherd, and his handler, Deputy Ruben Ortiz, were attending a training session in Riverside.

While off-duty, Ortiz and Razor were separated. When Ortiz called out to the dog, Razor responded and was struck by an oncoming car Wednesday.

He was rushed to a veterinarian but was pronounced dead.

The 2-year-old dog was trained in general patrol operations and narcotics detection.

He had been a member of the department in Bridgeport, Calif., for less than a year, Busey said.

The accident is almost a year to the day that Douglas County canine officer Jon-Jon was killed in a patrol car fire.

Jon-Jon died Feb. 4, 2006, when faulty wiring ignited and the patrol car burst into flames. Deputy Rick Koontz and another officer were investigating a burglar alarm when the fire broke out.

Jon-Jon died from smoke inhalation despite the deputy's efforts to rescue him.

Jon-Jon was honored with full department honors at a memorial service Feb. 25, 2006, that attracted law enforcement personnel and canine officers from all over Nevada and as far away as Idaho.