K9 Drago – Chautauqua County, New York

Died – 11/5/21

Handler – Deputy Jason Beichner 

‘My partner, the son before my son, passed away’: sheriff’s deputy pays tribute to K9 officer

A Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputy shared a loving tribute to a long time K9 officer. “I knew this day would come, most of us live through it, there’s literally books and movies written about it, but when the day comes- it still hurts the same,” Deputy Beichner said. “After an exceptional life, a life of service that allowed others to live because of his actions, my partner, the son before my son, passed away today.” Deputy Jason Beichner became a K9 handler with department in Mary 2011 and chose a dog that his then 7-year-old brother named Drago. In 2017, Drago broke one of his legs during a training exercise and after unsuccessful surgeries, Drago’s leg needed to be amputated. Drago worked with the sheriff’s department on three legs for over a year. Beichner added, “And despite my incredible sadness the happy times out weigh the dark. I will miss you forever, my man.” Drago served with the sheriff’s department for seven years, he was 12 years old.

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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.
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