K9 Ike – Rowan County, North Carolina

Handler – Deputy Justin Nelson

Rowan Sheriff’s K-9 passes away after nearly ten years of service

Since 2009, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Ike” has been on the beat across the county, but now he is at rest. Ike passed away from medical issues this week, according to Sheriff Kevin Auten. During his time on the street Ike and his handler Deputy Justin Nelson were involved in more than 500 calls. More than 300 times Ike’s highly trained nose was used to sniff out illegal drugs. Ike was on the trail of more than one hundred suspects wanted in various crimes, gave dozens of demonstrations in the community, and has also been responsible for finding missing and endangered children. Sheriff Auten says the department would like to get another K-9 to replace Ike. Anyone interested in making a donation to defray the costs is asked to contact the Rowan Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.

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.