K9 Cees – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Died – 7/17/19
Handler – Cpl. Chris Smith

Retired Myrtle Beach K-9 officer dies after suffering medical emergency

The Myrtle Beach Police Department is mourning the loss of one its former K-9 officers. According to a press release, Cees, a retired K-9 officer, was rushed to an animal hospital Wednesday night after suffering a medical emergency. The dog passed away a short time later. Cees retired in May after a medical condition was discovered which made it dangerous to his health to have him continue working, the release stated. The dog was sworn in as the MBPD’s first apprehension K-9 in September 2017, according to police. During his career, he was deployed 85 times. Cees and his handler were responsible for seizing 39 pounds of marijuana, two pounds of methamphetamine, one pound of heroin, seven ounces of cocaine, and 24 grams of crack cocaine, the release stated. In addition, Cees has made 12 criminal apprehensions with one of those involving a person who was actively fighting with police officers. “Cees, thank you for your service to our department and to our community,” the release stated.

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.