K9 Blek- Ligonier Township, Pennsylvania

Died – 3/13/18
Handler – Deceased Lt. Eric Eslary

K-9 Blek, partner of Ligonier Township police officer killed in crash, dies after cancer battle

The K-9 partner of Ligonier Township police Lt. Eric Eslary, who was killed in an on-duty crash with a drunken driver, has died after a battle with an “aggressive” form of cancer, Eslary’s widow said in a social media post Tuesday. K-9 Blek was with Eslary when a wrong-way driver hit their police vehicle on Route 30 early on the morning of May 5, 2015. Eslary died in the crash; Blek was retired later that year.

Mary Beth Taylor-Eslary posted the following Facebook messageTuesday:

Only a short list of people, including my family, close friends, Eric’s parents, siblings, his kids, and fellow officers knew that Blek was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in September. I was told this type would spread fast and was very painful. Blek was a true warrior as he fought for 6 months only using 3 legs to navigate. The cancer had taken over the mobility of his rear leg. He only stopped to whimper and then jumped back up. Blek has to be the toughest dog ever as we all pounder [sic] how he survived the vehicle accident. Of course Blek is truly my hero. I may have been the last to kiss my husband,but Blek heard his voice last and heard Eric take his last breath. Blek saved me; as I cried many of tears on his coat. I needed him to live forever. I am crushed, Blek meant everything to me. I couldn’t come to my senses about this and often wondered why.” Rob Katich a fellow k9 officer said something to me that has stuck in my head. “Eric left him to help you, and now he wants him back”. Through my tears I smiled. I can picture it now as Blek is entering heaven. Eric will be standing there in the high pitch handler voice “Blekie….that’s a good boy….daddy been waiting” As I felt Blek slip away I whispered… Tell daddy I miss and love him. Please lick his face for me and sniff his ear like he use to do to us. Now report to duty badge #19 badge #4 has missed you. The kids and I will be ok. “4-74 has been reunited”. Rest easy my boy, I love you like no other.

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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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