K9 Moe – Waukegan, Illinois

Handler – Officer John Szostak

Waukegan Police Department mourns death of retired police canine Moe

The Waukegan Police Department said they are mourning the death of retired canine Moe, who led a successful career and was the department’s only Malinois canine. “It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of retired K9 Moe,” the Waukegan Police Department said Thursday morning. Moe was the only Belgian Malinois to work as a police canine for the Waukegan Police Department. Moe served alongside his handler, Officer John Szostak, from 2013 to 2020.He was named after a donation to the canine unit from a citizen named Maurine. Police said the canine had a successful career in tracking, article searches, drug searches, building searches and handler protection.In a 2021 fundraiser, Moe was described as a dog who “loves to give his family hugs.” “He likes to run and play hide and seek when he’s home. He will do just about anything for praise and for his tug toy,” the fundraiser said of Moe. The police department said they “extend our deepest condolences to Officer Szostak and his family during this difficult time.” “K9 Moe, you will never be forgotten. Rest easy boy and thank you for your service,” 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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