K9 Zeus – Deshler, Ohio

Died – 4/16/20
Handler – with Chief Brian Robinson

Watch ends for Deshler Police Department K-9 Zeus

A 4-year veteran of the Deshler Police Department passed away early Thursday. The officer, K-9 Zeus, was partnered with Chief Brian Robinson. Zeus gained attention following his recovery from multiple medical emergencies in February. Chief Robinson was certain that Zeus would need to be put down, but the K-9 made significant progress and recovered to the point where he was allowed to return home. Over 1,500 people followed Zeus’ journey on a Facebook page dedicated to his progress and updates on his health. Support poured in from across the nation to the Deshler Police Department in the form of toys and gifts for Zeus. T-shirts were printed to raise money to help with medical bills.

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.