Press Releases
07/27/2026
DEEP Announces Quilt of Honor for Retired EnCon K9 Luna
All are welcome to attend this event honoring K9 Luna on July 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby
(HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that Luna, a distinguished and recently retired Labrador Retriever and partner with Conservation Officer Alexandra Blackwell, will be recognized with a “K9 Quilt of Honor” for her years of service in environmental conservation law enforcement. The public recognition of her retirement and service record will be hosted at the Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby, CT on Thursday, July 30, at 1:00 pm. All are welcome.
Luna is highly trained, specializing in the detection of illegally harvested fish and game. In December 2024, she tracked down buried bags containing 34 poached striped bass, resulting in multiple criminal charges and thousands of dollars in fines. She and Officer Blackwell received the 2024 Conservation Officer of the Year Award, and an Official Citation from the Connecticut General Assembly in 2025. Luna is officially retired and, at nine years of age, enjoys her days in the Blackwell home. Her successor, K9 Scup, has taken on Luna’s duties of patrolling with Officer Blackwell as part of the CT DEEP Marine District.
The K9 Quilts of Honor program was started with the Indian River County (FL) Sheriffs in 2020 by Carolyn and Rich Bluhm to honor the valued work of retiring K9 officers. Since then, quilts have been awarded to retiring K9s in 16 states and three countries. Each dog is presented with a handmade quilt created by local quilters to acknowledge their service and achievements. The Connecticut presentation will be part of the annual Pop of Color Outdoor Quilt Show hosted at the Kellogg Environmental Center. Luna will be the first dog recognized for Environmental Conservation Law Enforcement.
"Our Environmental Conservation Police and K9 teams play a vital role in protecting Connecticut's natural resources and the people who enjoy them, whether assisting with search and rescue operations, investigating fish and wildlife crimes, or patrolling our parks, forests, and waterways," said Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino. "Luna exemplified the dedication and professionalism of our K9 program. Her work, including helping to enforce against poaching of Striped Bass, helped protect Connecticut's natural resources for future generations. We are grateful for her years of service and wish her a happy, well-earned retirement."
Colonel Brian Newman, Director of DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police, said, "Our Environmental Conservation Police K9 teams provide an incredible service to the people of Connecticut. These highly trained K9 partners help protect both the public and our natural resources. Although Luna has retired, we know her successor, Scup, will continue this tradition of excellence. Thank you, Luna, for your years of faithful service. Thank you, Conservation Officer Blackwell, for the many hours you devoted to Luna's training and handling. Thank you also to the staff and volunteers at the Kellogg Environmental Center for hosting this meaningful recognition of Luna's remarkable career."
The Kellogg Environmental Center at Osbornedale State Park is proud to host this presentation to Luna and the Pop of Color Outdoor Quilt Show. The K9 Quilt of Honor will be part of the quilt exhibit for all to enjoy until the end of the show and then Luna can enjoy her quilt at home. Members of the press and the public are warmly invited to attend the presentation and tour the quilt exhibition prior to or following the presentation ceremony. Refreshments will follow the 1:00 pm presentation. Registration for the K9 Quilt of Honor presentation is appreciated but not required. Register by calling 203-734-2513 or emailing Susan.Quincy@ct.gov.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110