K9 Echo – Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Died 7/18/22
Handler – Cpl. George Schaffer

Hazleton Police Department mourns beloved K-9

The Hazleton City Police Department and the Schaffer Family are mourning the loss of one of their own. K-9 Echo has sadly answered his highest and final call and crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Monday, July 18th, 2022, surrounded by those who loved him most. For the past eight years, K-9 Echo has faithfully served the citizens of Hazleton by the side of his handler, Cpl. George Schaffer. K-9 Echo began his tour of duty with the Hazleton Police Department in January of 2014. Since then, he was involved in numerous apprehensions and interdictions where his size, stature, and intimidating bark made him feared by criminals. During his time on the force, K9 Echo served search warrants alongside local, state, and federal agencies, where he was a member of the Hazleton Special Operations Group and assisted with taking countless serious offenders into custody. K-9 Echo was an ambassador for the Hazleton Area where he enjoyed interacting with local children during school presentations and community outreach events. He was brought to the Hazleton Police Department and began his career training with Von Dekka-Haus German Shepherds. For the past two years he faithfully trained each month with the PennVet Working Dog Center’s K-9 Training Group at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. K-9 Echo was a dutiful member of the Hazleton Police force. While on-duty, K-9 Echo always made 911 dispatchers aware that he was on-duty by barking at the click of the radio. He will be remembered for his dedication and love of life, along with being the most loyal friend and partner to Cpl. Schaffer. K-9 Echo will sincerely be missed by the Hazleton Police Department, the K-9 Unit, and Hazleton Area community.

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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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