K9 Marko – LaPorte County, Indiana

Handler – Officer Dallas Smythe

LaPorte County Sheriff’s K-9 Marko dies, remembered for years of service

Some heroes wear collars, not capes. Marko, a German shepherd K-9 unit for LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, was remembered for his 10 years of service and numerous drug busts. Marko worked in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension during his time as a police dog, according to a LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office news release. Sheriff John Boyd said the K-9 was successful in numerous felony apprehensions and tracking, as well as the discovery of large amounts of narcotics. “Marko and K-9 handler Dallas Smythe were the true definition of a team and could always be relied upon,” Boyd said. “Members of the sheriff’s office have many fond memories of Marko and he will be greatly missed. There is no question that Marko prevented a number of potential injuries to our deputies by merely deescalating a hostile suspect with his presence. In addition, on several occasions he placed himself in harm’s way in order to protect the deputies with whom he served. We will be forever grateful of his service.” Marko began his career in April 2008 when he partnered with Smythe and retired on Dec. 31, 2017, becoming a permanent member in Smythe’s home. Marko lived to the age of 12 years old and had cancer at his time of death.

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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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