K9 Benson – Topeka, Kansas

Died 7/7/18
Handler – Officer Josh Miller

Topeka police mourning after loss of police service dog

The Topeka Police Department is in mourning following the passing of one of their police service dogs. The department said Officer Josh Miller went to check on his K-9 partner Benson who was in his kennel, when he was found unresponsive. Miller immediately attempted CPR and took him to an emergency veterinarian where he passed away. Benson’s body was taken to K-State for a necropsy where the cause of death has been ruled inconclusive. TPD said Benson joined the department earlier this year and was assigned to K-9 Officer Miller. The two had just received certification to work the street a few weeks prior to Benson’s passing, according to the department. “We are asking the community to please keep Officer Miller in your thoughts during this difficult time,” the department said in a release sent out Friday morning.

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.