K9 Amigo – Kingman, Arizona

Died 8/20/16
Handler – Officer Adam Simonsen

Kingman police K9 dies in the line of duty while rescuing hikers

The Kingman Police Department reported “with deep sadness” the death of K9 Amigo, a three-year old Belgian Malinois, near White Cliffs on Saturday. Amigo died of heat exhaustion while rescuing two injured hikers in Kingman on Wednesday near the top of the mountain range. He had been serving with the police department for one year. The two hikers were rescued and treated for minor injuries. After the rescue Amigo was taken to a local vet where he showed signs of heat exhaustion. He was later transported to an advanced care veterinary hospital in Vegas where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. his attending Veterinarian, he suffered a sudden medical event and passed away about 10:30 a.m.,” Sochocki said. Amigo had been assigned to officer Adam Simonsen. Officers said Amigo’s body will be escorted to Cerbat Cliffs Animal Hospital, where he will stay until he is laid to rest. “This is a very sad occasion. The bond between our handlers and their dogs is very strong and the officer is devastated by the loss,” said Robert J. DeVries, Chief of Police. “While they are working dogs, these animals also become a close and important part of the individual police officer’s family as well as the rest of the KPD family. Clearly, we have lost one of our own.” Amigo was certified in narcotics detection, tracking and handler protection. Officers will escort Amigo home to rest, where, in accordance with national protocol in a K9 line of duty death, the department will host a memorial service. Amigo has been credited with numerous narcotics seizures, including a 50 kilogram cocaine bust in February.

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.