K9 Maxx – Wauconda, Illinois

Died – 9.9/29/16
Handler – Sgt. John S. Combs Jr.

Retired Wauconda police dog dies

An award-winning former Wauconda police dog has died, according to the Wauconda Animal Hospital’s Facebook page. On Friday, the hospital posted, “We are very sad to say that today Wauconda lost one of it’s finest. RIP K-9 Officer Maxx. Our thoughts are with Sgt. Combs and family.” Wauconda police confirmed that Maxx died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. The German shepherd retired in 2014 after nearly a decade of service. Maxx gained glory through his partnership with Sgt. John S. Combs Jr.Combs, who was unavailable for comment Friday night, told the Daily Herald in 2013, “Maxx has been a great partner. He is also a great family member.” At the time, Combs announced his intention to follow a department tradition and acquire Maxx at the end of the dog’s service. He said, “Maxx has lived with me since I got him. He and I spend more time with each other than I do with my own family, so of course I would want to keep him in his retirement.” Combs’ wish was granted in 2014, when he received the ownership papers at a ceremony during a village board meeting, when Maxx was honored for his decade of service.Maxx began working with Combs in 2004. During their partnership, Maxx chased and apprehended a robbery suspect, found a loaded gun that was buried under leaves by gang members and discovered a marijuana-growing operation hidden in a house. Maxx earned three titles at the Illinois Regional Canine Olympics, an event created by the owner of TOPS Kennels in Grayslake. He also gave public demonstrations at community events.

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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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