K9 Figo – Bardstown, Kentucky

Died 5/23/17
Handler – Officer Jason Ellis

Dog who appeared to mourn fallen police officer Jason Ellis has died

Four years after his partner was killed in the line of duty, police dog Figo has died as well. Figo was the partner of Officer Jason Ellis, 33, who died after being shot multiple times at an exit off Bluegrass Parkway while driving home on May 25, 2013. Ellis was a K-9 officer with the Bardstown police. Figo, a drug-sniffing German shepherd, was not with him when he was shot. Figo was made famous after he was photographed placing a paw alongside the casket at Ellis’ funeral. After Ellis’ death, Figo retired to live with Ellis’ family, including his wife, Amy, and sons Hunter and Parker. Figo had been battling illness for several months. The family hopes to bury Figo alongside Ellis. “He died peacefully in his sleep, at home. “Every officer should be so lucky.” Ellis’ slaying remains unsolved. Two former Kentucky State Police troopers recently were brought out of retirement to investigate that case and several others.

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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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