K9 Argo – Oconee, South Carolina

Died 5/16/23
Handler – First Sergeant Alan Sayre

South Carolina sheriff’s office bids sad farewell to K9 deputy after its passing

An Upstate sheriff’s office bid a sad farewell Tuesday to one of its K9 deputies. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that K9 Argo has died after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Argo served with the sheriff’s office for the past seven years, deputies said. His partner was First Sergeant Alan Sayre. “Our thoughts and prayers are with First Sergeant Sayre and his family during this difficult time,” deputies wrote. “Rest in Peace Deputy Argo, we have the watch from here.”

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.