K9 Diesel – Lake County, Illinois

Died – 9/11/21

Handler – Deputy Craig Summerville 

K-9 Diesel Dies From Cancer who has been working at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office since 2015

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office mourns the death of K-9, who has been in the unit since 2015. The sheriff’s office said in a press release that K-9 Diesel died on Saturday, just before his eighth birthday on September 15, with his partner, Deputy Secretary of State Craig Summerville. He recently died suddenly after being diagnosed with advanced cancer. “Dog Diesel is a member of our staff vows and has added such tremendous value to our offices and communities. His many years of achievements will never be forgotten and to Lake County. Thank you forever for his service. Deputy Summerville has lost the closest one is a potential partner of the adjutant and we mourn with him. “

 

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.