K9 Zomby – Arkansas State Police

Died – 5/6/23
Remembering the life of a hero

The Arkansas State Police are honoring the life of a K-9 officer who passed away on May 6th and laid to rest on May 7th. K-9 Officer Zomby passed away following a lengthy battle with kidney failure.Born in the Netherlands, Zomby was brought to the United States, where he served with ASP for five years, working as a dual-purpose K-9 until retiring in March 2018.ASP says they’re grateful for Zomby’s faithful service.“A personal intensity that was eager for challenges and not easily distracted, and a determined optimism with an absolute commitment to never surrender. He stood tall every day he worked, ready for any challenge that came.”
During his career, Zomby uncovered:
• 93.4 lbs. of cocaine
• 688 lbs. of marijuana
• Two lbs. of methamphetamine
• $525,107.00 (proceeds from the narcotics sales)

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.