K9 Rocky – Riverhead, New York

Died – 9/2/18

Police dog killed in crash after driver flees DWI checkpoint

A police dog was killed and two officers were injured after a man fled a DWI checkpoint on Long Island early Sunday, authorities said. At about 2:30 a.m., police conducting a DWI checkpoint on Peconic. Avenue directed a man driving a dark-colored Audi to stop for further investigation, authorities said. According to police, the man disregarded the order and drove off, striking the officer with his car. A police pursuit began, but was called off in the Manorville area after it was deemed too dangerous. A Riverhead K9 unit officer and his police dog “Rocky,” who responded to the pursuit, lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole, said police. The 10-year-old German shepherd was ejected from the vehicle and was killed, said police. The heavily damaged police vehicle ended up in a wooded area, according to the department. The officer initially struck by the fleeing vehicle and the K9 handler were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, said police. According to Riverhead police, Rocky had been a member of the Riverhead K9 unit since 2011.

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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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