K9 Apollo – Columbia County, New York

Handler – Sergeant Benansky 

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 Apollo passes away

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has announced the passing of K9 Apollo. Apollo served Columbia County for almost 10 years. Apollo passed away with his partner and handler Sergeant Heath Benansky at his side. The Sheriff’s Office said he was laid to rest after facing unexpected medical complications. K9 Apollo was a German shepherd born on February 4, 2011. He was acquired by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in March 2012. Apollo specialized in narcotics detection, patrol and tracking. With Sergeant Benansky, Apollo tracked several missing and wanted persons, did several narcotics sweeps and assisted many other agencies across New York and Massachusetts. The Sheriff’s Office said Apollo was always excited to display his talents at community events and demonstrations throughout the county. He was still an active member of the Sheriff’s Office and remained on patrol up until his passing. He also enjoyed playing in the water and playing with his partner. “This has been a particularly tough year with the passing of several members of this office. Apollo is no different. He was a phenomenal canine police officer. Whenever Apollo came into service he was determined to get his job done and did so effectively and professionally with his partner, Sergeant Benansky. My heart goes out to Sergeant Benansky for the loss of his friend and partner,” said Sheriff David Bartlett.

 

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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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