State Police K-9 honors fallen NY Guardsman

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A New York State Police Canine (K-9) Officer was praised for his heroic efforts in a recent drug bust. K-9 J has sniffed out nearly 20 pounds of drugs, including fentanyl during a traffic stop in Saratoga County. And while this is nothing new for him, his actions are helping to heal the hearts of a local family.

“We’re just so excited to have the opportunity to get to know him and have him represent something so special to us,” said Krista, John Grassia’s sister.

K-9 J has been on the force for two years now. Named after Chief Warrant Officer John Grassia III, a Rotterdam native who lost his life when his helicopter crashed during a mission in 2024 near the Texas, Mexico border.  “I can’t help but think that there’s some kind of divine intervention coming here. Because J, like I said, he was an animal lover. And I just think that, you know, there might be a little dog whisperer in his ear. And when it’s time to go, go to work,” said John’s mom Judy.

And when at work K-9 J is said to be living up to his name. “He is cadaver trained. He’s narcotics detection, he’s protection and tracking. He has seized about 26 pounds of illegal narcotics, four pounds of fentanyl, six pounds of cocaine, and then various other narcotics, 16 pounds of ecstasy, MDMA,” said Trooper Joe Turoski.

Not only was J involved in the recent drug arrest out of Saratoga Springs, but he had also helped investigators in Albany discover the bodies of Franz and Theresia Kraus in their backyard last month. The couple’s son admitted to the murders. “We probably done close to 100 K-9 calls, cadaver searches, successful cadaver search he’s part of the Crestwood Drive investigation. He’s done a lot of work,” explained Trooper Turoski.

Canine J wears many hats as a state trooper canine and has gone through months of training, but he also doubles down as an emotional support dog for other troopers simply by showing up to work. “When they show up at a station, they bring the moral at the station up to a whole other level. I mean, they’re not built for that. They’re a tool, right, for the state police. But they have that dual purpose unintentionally, 100%,” said Trooper O’Neil.

Krista says the family is honored that John’s memory is living on in K-9 J, “He is still out there looking over us, just keeping everybody safe.”

Johns’ mom said she has always called her son J. Michael. She said K -9 J’s name is very fitting. “We just we are honored that they honored my son in this way,” said Judy.