K9 Recon – Akron, Ohio

Died – 3/21/23
Handler – Officer McConnell

Akron Police Department announces death of retired K-9 ‘Recon’

The Akron Police Department has announced the passing its retired K-9, Recon. The 12-year-old Recon lost his long battle with kidney disease on Tuesday. In a Facebook post, the Akron Police Department says Recon “had thousands of uses during his over nine-year career, and over twenty suspects tried to evade his apprehensions.” Recon’s apprehensions included a barricaded domestic violence suspect, carjacking suspects, aggravated burglary and robbery suspects, and a suspect who had chased and attempted to murder a police officer. In addition, Recon also spent his police career assisting officers in locating illegal narcotics, while enjoying helping to teach Akron Public Schools kindergarten students during his Safety Town presentations. Recon was donated to the Akron Police Department by Tom Girolami from Great Lakes Industrial Show. He retired from the Akron Police Department in November of 2020, continuing to live with his partner, Officer McConnell. Recon enjoyed daily walks, runs, playing catch, and hide and seek until he passed. “Thank you for your dedicated service, Recon! You will be missed,” the department added.

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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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