R.I.P. Major, Former Roseville K-9

Major, a Roseville K-9 dog who suffered a career-ending stabbing in late 2010, has died this week.

News of the dog's death circulated on the Facebook page of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a national non-profit group dedicated to raising funds to provide vests to law enforcement K9s throughout the country. 

Major's death comes almost four months after Vested Interest featured him and his handler Roseville Police Officer John Jorgensen as part of the group's Facebook Groupon campaign that raised more than $55,000 to buy bullet-proof and stab-protective vests for police dogs. 

On an Wednesday evening newscast, WCCO-TV reported that Jorgensen said he needed to put down the 11-year-old dog because he had health problems and not eaten in his last two days.  

On Facebook, Vested Interest noted, "K9 Major was stabbed four times and beaten by a burglary suspect in Nov. 2010 and lost the use of his hind legs. Officer Jorgensen and Major spent eight years and 100,000 miles in the car together.

"Since Major’s injury, Jorgensen has helped get legislation passed to increase the penalties for someone who hurts a K-9 in MN. K9 Major was a warrior and now runs free over the Rainbow Bridge. RIP Sweet Boy.

Meanwhile, Roseville Police Lt. Lorne Rosand said Wednesday, “The Roseville Police Department is deeply saddened by the death of former Roseville K9 Major. The department’s thoughts and prayers go out to Officer John Jorgensen and his family during this difficult time.” 

In June, 2011, Roseville PD awarded Major medal of honor after being left paralyzed in his hind legs from the job-related stabbings while searching for suspects in an attempted burglary in Maplewood. Major was retired from the Roseville PD shortly afterward.

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