K9 Mitchell – Jamestown, NY

Handler – Officer Erik Kraft 

Retired Jamestown Police Department K9 dies of cancer

A longtime K-9 with the Jamestown Police Department has passed away. The agency announced the news of K-9 Mitchell’s death in a post on social media Saturday. The retired K-9 died from cancer at the age of 12. He was Officer Erik Kraft’s first dog as a new handler. “Mitchell was everything an officer could ask for in a K9 partner; loyal, brave, disciplined, and intelligent,” the department said. “His detection work was unprecedented and led to numerous arrests and drug seizures in his career.” Mitchell and Kraft were honored as Grand Marshal of the 2016 Jamestown Christmas Parade after Mitchell was stabbed and critically wounded by a homicide suspect. “If not for the emergency lifesaving care provided by his handler and Moonbrook Veterinary Hospital, Mitchell’s life may have been cut short,” continued the department. “As a testament to Mitchell’s never-give-up drive, Mitchell not only fought that day, but returned to full duty to serve and protect the City of Jamestown.” The department says Mitchell’s selfless actions earned him the Police Cross Medal and the Medal of Valor.“Mitchell protected the citizens and officers in the City of Jamestown for approximately eight years before his retirement,” furthered the department. “The Jamestown Police Department is honored to have served side by side with such an outstanding K9 partner. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Kraft and his family.”

 

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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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