In this episode, we sit down with Corporal Justin Tortora of the Marion County Sheriff's Office to discuss the life, loss, and legacy of his partner, K9 Leo, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois who made the ultimate sacrifice on February 17, 2024, during a domestic call in Silver Springs, Florida.

This heartfelt conversation dives into the incident that claimed Leo's life, the unbreakable bond between handler and K9, and critical lessons for canine handlers and trainers. What You'll Learn:

The Incident: Leo was shot while protecting Justin and other deputies during a confrontation with an armed suspect, who fired at them. Despite wearing a bulletproof vest, Leo was struck in an unprotected area and fought for his life at UF Veterinary Hospital before passing days later.

Justin shares how their training prepared them for that moment and how Leo's bravery saved lives.

Handler-K9 Bond: Justin opens up about the unique loyalty and trust built over thousands of hours of training, from Leo's FDLE K9 certification in February 2021 to their daily partnership. He reflects on Leo's role not just as a working dog but as family.

Training Takeaways: Insights on preparing for high-risk encounters, including tactical decision-making, canine control under extreme stress, and the importance of scenario-based training to handle violent situations.

Emotional Resilience: Justin discusses the emotional toll of losing a K9 partner and how handlers can process grief while continuing their work.

Key Moments: Justin's recounting of the chaotic February 17 shootout and Leo's fearless response. - Practical tips for handlers on maintaining situational awareness and K9 readiness. - A tribute to Leo's courage, with reflections on his impact both on-duty and at home with Justin's family.

This episode is a must for handlers and trainers seeking to understand the real-world stakes of K9 work. Justin's raw perspective offers actionable insights into training, teamwork, and the emotional realities of the job, honoring Leo's sacrifice while equipping you to better prepare for the potential realities of being a K9 handler.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com

Inukshuk Performance Dog food - INUKSHUKPRO.com

Black Jacks Leather - BlackJacksleather.com

Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount

Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Police K9 Radio, we sit down with Aaron Taylor, a nationally recognized leader in the dog training world and the founder of Ridgeside K9 LLC. Aaron is a prior Infantry Marine Sergeant with a 100% combat-disabled rating. Leveraging the Yellow Ribbon Program, he attended The George Washington University, earning degrees in both the Science of Policing and Psychology.

Following his military service, Aaron spent 16 years with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, retiring in 2018 while assigned full-time to K9 on a full-time SWAT team. Over the course of his career, he served 14 years in special operations and investigations, including time in Narcotics, SWAT, and K9. Aaron is also recognized as a certified expert in the 4th district, having testified in both state and federal court. He has been featured on national platforms such as The Dr. Phil Show and on numerous podcasts, where he encourages, mentors, and helps finance law enforcement and military veterans as they transition into entrepreneurship. After stepping away from policing due to growing conflict with administration and declining community support, Aaron leaned into his lifelong passion for dog training.

What began as a small venture quickly grew into Ridgeside K9 LLC—now one of the nation's most recognized and fastest-growing dog training companies. In this episode, Aaron opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of leaving law enforcement, building a business from scratch, and what it takes to create a mission-driven company. He emphasizes the importance of mastering your role in law enforcement while also developing skills outside the badge—so you're ready for the next chapter when it comes. We also talk about Aaron's mission to employ and empower former military and police professionals, giving them not only jobs, but purpose and opportunity. His journey is a blueprint for others in the K9 and law enforcement communities who are ready to build something of their own.

Topics Covered: Why Aaron left law enforcement after 16 years Founding Ridgeside K9 and scaling a dog training business Navigating burnout and lack of administrative support Creating a mission-driven company that supports police and veterans Advice for officers: build skills beyond the badge

Follow Aaron Taylor & Ridgeside K9: Instagram: @ridgesidek9_llc

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com

Inukshuk Performance Dog food - INUKSHUKPRO.com

Black Jacks Leather - BlackJacksleather.com

Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount

Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email: [email protected]

Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman speak with Sgt. Jesse Rembert about the integration of canines, robots, and drones into SWAT.

Jesse Rembert - Denver Police Department

2005-2012 Police Officer

2012-2017 Technician, Metro/SWAT

2017-2019 Sergeant Impact/Street Crimes

2019-2021 Sergeant Internal Affairs

2021-2023 Sergeant Special Operations Response Team

2023-Present Sergeant Metro SWAT & K9

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com

Inukshuk Performance Dog food -

INUKSHUKPRO.com Black Jacks Leather -

BlackJacksleather.com Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount

Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email:

[email protected]

Support the Show: Found this episode valuable? Like, comment, and share it with your fellow K9 handlers. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode designed for law enforcement professionals.

Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman speak with Sgt. Jesse Rembert about the integration of canines, robots, and drones into SWAT.

Jesse Rembert - Denver Police Department

2005-2012 Police Officer

2012-2017 Technician, Metro/SWAT

2017-2019 Sergeant Impact/Street Crimes

2019-2021 Sergeant Internal Affairs

2021-2023 Sergeant Special Operations Response Team

2023-Present Sergeant Metro SWAT & K9

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com

Inukshuk Performance Dog food -

INUKSHUKPRO.com Black Jacks Leather -

BlackJacksleather.com Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount

Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email:

[email protected]

Support the Show: Found this episode valuable? Like, comment, and share it with your fellow K9 handlers. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode designed for law enforcement professionals.

Dr. Melanie Uhde is a Trainer, Educator, Speaker and Author. Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman interview Dr. Melanie about the science behind our working dogs.

What You'll Learn: • The psychology behind canine learning and decision-making under pressure • How to reinforce reliability in high-stress environments • Techniques to reduce reactivity and enhance control • Balancing drive, discipline, and handler rapport • Conditioning K9s for real-world operational scenarios • The mental health and resilience of working dogs Key Takeaways: • A confident dog starts with a calm, prepared handler • Training must be adaptable, purpose-driven, and evidence-based • Behavioral issues in working dogs often trace back to overlooked foundational gaps • Long-term performance depends on both physical conditioning and psychological well-being

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com

Inukshuk Performance Dog food - INUKSHUKPRO.com

Black Jacks Leather - BlackJacksleather.com

Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount

Connect with Dr. Melanie: Instagram: @caninedecoded

Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: Found this episode valuable? Like, comment, and share it with your fellow K9 handlers. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode designed for law enforcement professionals.

YOUTUBE LINK to view Video of Deployment https://youtu.be/71_j-f38Rxs

"Suspect's car is on fire!" Sgt. Matt Allert and Deputy Shane Day (Riverside Sheriff's K9) debrief a deployment in which the use of a canine brings a dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Police K9 Radio, we break down a powerful real-world deployment where a police K9's decision-making and training directly saved the life of a suspect. This incident flips the script on the usual apprehension narrative and puts the focus on preservation of life — a responsibility every handler carries. If you're a working handler, supervisor, or trainer, this episode is a must-listen. We dissect the incident step-by-step, focusing on tactical choices, canine control, and the split-second decisions that made the difference between life and death.

What You'll Learn

• Real-World Deployment Analysis: How a K9 team's restraint, control, and training helped preserve life during a volatile encounter.

• Handler Judgement Under Pressure: Making the right call when lives are on the line — including the suspect's.

• Training That Transfers to the Street: Why your obedience, out, and recall reps matter more than ever.

• Tactical Integration: How the K9 handler worked seamlessly with patrol and command to manage the scene.

• Ethics and Expectations: The evolving role of police K9s in a time where every bite, video, and decision is scrutinized.

Why It Matters This episode challenges conventional thinking and highlights the life-saving potential of police dogs beyond apprehension. It's a wake-up call for those still chasing bites and ignoring discipline, control, and scenario-based training.

Perfect For:

• K9 Handlers looking to elevate their decision-making

• Trainers building real-world reliability

• Supervisors evaluating deployment tactics

• Agencies striving for balanced K9 programs

Trusted Sponsors Support the companies that support our working dogs:

• Inukshuk Professional Dog Food – Fuel for performance. InukshukPro.com

• Ray Allen Manufacturing – Gear that works as hard as your dog. RayAllen.com

• Black Jack Leather – Hand-crafted tools for serious K9 teams. BlackJacksLeather.com

• Sauna Box – Recovery tools for handlers who go hard. Use code "K9" for 10% off. SaunaBox.com

⸻ Follow us for more no-nonsense, boots-on-the-ground K9 talk:

• Instagram: @PoliceK9Radio

• Facebook: Police K9 Radio

• Contact Us: [email protected]

Lt Nate Lange and K-9 Handler Jason Miller from the Elk Grove Police Department discuss the future of law Enforcement and the impact on canine deployments with a state of the art drone program.

You can reach Gregg and Rich at [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors!

INUKSHUK PREMIUM DOG FOOD - Inukshukpro.com

RAY ALLEN MFG. - Rayallen.com

BLACK JACKS LEATHER - BlackJacksLeather.com

SAUNA BOX - SAUNABOX/K9.com. Use Key word "K9" for a discount!

Bruce Praet is the co-founder of Lexipol and a partner in Ferguson, Praet and Sherman, a law firm with over 30 years of specializing in defending police civil matters such as shootings, dog bites and pursuits. Prior to becoming an attorney Bruce was a K-9 Handler and SWAT team member for the Orange Police Department.

You can reach Gregg and Rich at [email protected] T

hank you to our sponsors! These are companies that we believe in and use their products. INUKSHUK PREMIUM DOG FOOD. Inukshukpro.com

RAY ALLEN MFG. Rayallen.com

BLACK JACKS LEATHER. BlackJacksLeather.com

SAUNA BOX. Saunabox.com (Use Keyword "k9" to save ten percent)

Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman interview Sgt. Matthew Allert and Deputy Shane Day of Riverside County Sheriff's Office about making changes within the Riverside County Sheriff's K-9 unit.

Thank you to our sponsors! These are companies that we believe in and use their products. I

NUKSHUK PREMIUM DOG FOOD. Inukshukpro.com

RAY ALLEN MFG. Rayallen.com

BLACK JACKS LEATHER. BlackJacksLeather.com

Youtube Link - https://youtu.be/NpFzgXejeW4

Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman sit down with Gary Hicks the man behind "Worthless Handler". If you are a handler chances are you have purchased his gear. Gary discusses his journey and purpose behind the brand.

Thank you to our sponsors! These are companies that we believe in and use their products.

INUKSHUK PREMIUM DOG FOOD. Inukshukpro.com

RAY ALLEN MFG. Rayallen.com

BLACK JACKS LEATHER. BlackJacksLeather.com