K9 Shadow – Cumberland, Tennessee

Died – 2/3/24
Handler – Deputy Josh Matthews

UNKNOWN DRIVER HITS AND KILLS CUMBERLAND COUNTY K-9 OFFICER

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is looking into an incident Saturday where an unknown driver struck and killed a K-9 officer.The report states Deputy Josh Matthews placed K-9 Shadow in her outside kennel near Highway 70 North and Bent Tree Drive.Deputy Matthews let K-9 Shadow use the bathroom outside and fed Shadow for the end of the shift.The deputy went to leash K-9 Shadow to move her into the inside kennel.The K-9 exited the outside kennel before the deputy was able to secure the leash.Deputy Matthews gave repeated verbal commands for Shadow to stop but the canine did not.Deputy Matthews went after Shadow with his flashlight shining on the canine.K-9 Shadow continues in the ditch line for Highway 70 North. At this point, Deputy Matthews observed a dark-color, four-door sedan traveling on the highway. The officer attempted to illuminate K-9 Shadow and use the strobe pattern on his flashlight to draw attention to the oncoming car.K-9 Shadow went onto the highway.The driver hit Shadow, sending the canine into the air and landing in the opposite lane of travel.The motorist continued without stopping or making an attempt to stop.K-9 Shadow passed away from injuries sustained in the impact.Deputy Matthews noticed what appeared to be parts from the vehicle on the highway that struck Shadow.K-9 Shadow was taken to Happy Trails Pet Cremation.K-9 Shadow was a valued member of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. She will be missed by many.“This devastating incident has left the entire law enforcement community and our local community in mourning. Deputy Shadow was a dedicated and beloved member of our team, serving with loyalty and distinction,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox.Cox expressed the department’s deep regret at the loss of Deputy Shadow and conveyed gratitude for his unwavering service to the community.If you have any knowledge of who struck K-9 Shadow, please call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at (931) 484-6176. You can remain anonymous with your information.

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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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