K9 Jax – Westchester, New York

Died 1/3/24
Handler – Officer Christian Gutierrez

Retired Police K-9 Jax: A Cherished Member of Westchester County Police Department Passes Away

In a poignant turn of events, the Westchester County Police Department has announced the passing of a highly valued member of their team, retired K-9 Jax, on Wednesday, January 3. Revered not merely as an ordinary police dog, Jax was a versatile partner to Officer Christian Gutierrez, adeptly serving in multiple roles throughout his noteworthy career. Jax’s duties were far-reaching and diverse, encapsulating more than the conventional responsibilities of a police canine. His assignments ranged from patrolling the parkways to working at Playland Park in Rye and serving at the Mount Kisco precinct. The K-9 was also skilled in narcotics detection and apprehension, underscoring his adaptability and indispensable value to the force. Beyond his official duties, Jax played a pivotal role in fostering positive community relations. His affable demeanor made him a beloved figure at public events, where he consistently won the hearts of residents. The department has expressed their profound gratitude for Jax’s service and his manifold contributions to the community in a touching social media tribute. The announcement of Jax’s passing is a stark reminder of the unique bond between K-9 units and their handlers and the broader community. It underscores the multifaceted role these animals play in law enforcement, extending beyond mere operational duties to community engagement and public relations. Unfortunately, details about Jax’s age and the exact date of his death were not disclosed.

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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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