K9 Baxter – Connecticut State Police

Died – 6/27/19
Handler – Detective Paul Makuc

CT State Police mourn loss of K9 Baxter

Members of the Connecticut State Police are mourning the loss of one of its four-legged officers who worked hundreds of fire scene and found countless essential items of evidence that led to arson convictions. Baxter was born on Sept. 26, 2006. He joined the state police ranks alongside Detective Paul Makuc, of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, on July 6, 2008. State police said Baxter died Thursday.“Losing one of our own is never easy and losing a beloved pet, K9 co-worker and faithful friend is by far one of the saddest ordeals our K9 handlers must face during their careers,” state police said. Six months after he joined state police, Baxter received his certification as a state police accelerant detective canine. He serve state police beside Makuc for seven years, retiring in 2015. During that time, state police said, Baxter worked on hundreds of fire scene and found countless items of evidence that led to arson arrests and convictions. “He traveled the state, met hundreds of people, young and old, and developed his own fan club as he demonstrated his amazing scenting abilities,” state police said. “This past March, he was honored by Tails of Hope Foundation during their Sweetest Thank You Party and their observance of K9 Veteran’s Day.” State police said Baxter was a loyal partner and best friend to Makuc and his family.Baxter’s health started to fail over the last several months, state police said. Despite that, he continued to fight. “Thank you to those who cared for him in his final months and supported Detective Makuc through all of it,” state police said. “We don’t all get to spend our days with a wingman like Baxter but for those of us who were lucky enough to know him we will certainly never forget him. Godspeed, buddy. You will be missed.”

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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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