Name: Craig Blose, Patrolman/K-9 Officer,
Age: 36
Family: Blose is married and a father to two "very active, beautiful children."
What training have you received?
Blose attended the Allentown Police Academy. He has taken seminars in evidence collection and preservation, use of force, defense tactics, firearms, disaster response, narcotics identification and interdiction techniques.
Blose has studied the German, Czech and Dutch languages. He is well-versed in search and seizure laws. He is nationally certified as both a police emergency driving instructor and a child safety seat technician. He is certified as a police mountain bike officer.
Blose has attended three police K-9 academies with three different K-9 partners.
Tell us about any awards/honors you've received.
- Unit Citations for Bravery and Courage
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Recognized by: Lehigh County District Attorney's Office; Representatives of state and federal government; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration
- Several "Excellence in K-9 Training" medals
Most recently, Blose came in out of 40 K-9 Teams at the 2011 Police K-9 Trials.
How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life in danger?
"My children believe I am some sort of a ‘Super Hero’ (may I always live up to those expectations). I believe they do not fully understand the potential for injury or death. I have always tried to instill in my children the importance of living life serving something greater than one's self.
"My wife tries not to think of the dangers police officers face. This proves difficult with the seemingly constant news of police officers being killed in the line of duty and the countless police officers' funerals I have attended over the last 13 years. The recent murder of Berks County K-9 Deputy Sheriff Kyle D. Pagerly in June of this year has brought that threat to our front door.
"My family understands that the 3 a.m. telephone calls asking for K-9 to respond are generally not a good thing. I hope my family understands that every time I walk out the front door to go to work my first priority is walking back in that door at the end of my shift. I tell my wife and children every opportunity I can ‘I love you.’ Three simple words that are anything but ‘simple’ in the life as a police officer. I could not begin to do this job without their love, support and encouragement."
Tell us a story you'll never forget about your experience as a police officer.
"I have many stories that I will never forget and many that I pray to forget," says Blose.
One incident that stands out, relates to a "Burglary in Progress" at the . A witness told the police what the suspect looked like, which direction he had gone and said he had "something silver" in his hand.
Blose found the suspect on the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks and told him to put his hands in the air and get on the ground or Blose’s K-9 partner would bite him. The suspect immediately dropped to the ground, hitting his chin on the rocks and cutting his face. When the police later asked him why he didn’t run, the suspect said, “I didn't care if I got shot. I just didn't want that dog to bite me.”
The suspect was in possession of several stolen handguns at the time of his arrest and said he planned to rob a bank with the guns the next morning.
Do you have any advice to those interested in pursuing a future in law enforcement?
"Integrity is EVERYTHING. If you find the thought of making split-second decisions based on imperfect information nerve-racking, this profession is not for you. The money is not great and the hours often stink. But, the pride and honor I have in wearing this badge and uniform before a community I was entrusted to ‘Serve and Protect’ is second-to-none."
