K9 Kodak – Richanld, South Carolina

Died 10/10/24
Handler – Samantha Ramirez

S.C. Sheriff’s Office K-9 Dies from Injuries Sustained Tracking Suspect

A Richland County K-9 died Thursday from injuries sustained while tracking a suspect, the sheriff’s department announced.K-9 Kodak, a 6-year-old Dutch Shepherd, is the second K-9 line-of-duty death for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department this year. He was injured during a foot pursuit early Saturday morning.About 3 a.m. Saturday, patrol deputies requested assistance from K-9 deputies to locate a suspect who fled on foot from a stolen vehicle, according to a news release.While patrols deputies set up a perimeter around Leesburg Road in lower Richland County, K-9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez with her partner of four years, K-9 Kodak, and another K-9 specialist tracked the suspect through a heavily wooded area, the sheriff’s department said.“As the track continued, K-9 Kodak got entangled in some razor wire fencing that was concealed by brush, and sustained severe lacerations to his abdomen and leg,” the sheriff’s department said.Both K-9 specialists also suffered lacerations as they worked to untangle Kodak.Kodak was immediately taken to the South Carolina Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Care, underwent emergency surgery and continued to receive care. Kodak died from his injuries Thursday.The suspect who the sheriff’s department pursued was not apprehended.The sheriff’s department said funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

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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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