K9 Askan – New Berlin, Wisconsin

Died – 9/4/22
Handler – Officer Rick Helm

New Berlin police K-9 dies from ‘unforeseen medical emergency’

The New Berlin Police Department has announced the death of a K-9 officer. K-9 Askan suffered an unforeseen medical emergency and died on Sunday, Sept. 4. He was 9 years old.Askan was trained in drug detection and suspect apprehension. He began his career at just 14 months old. The department wrote the following on Facebook: “Officer Rick Helm was paired with his K9 partner Askan in 2014 and they have served the New Berlin community together for the past 8 years. Askan was trained in drug detection and suspect apprehension. He began his career on the streets at just 14 months old and quickly made a name for himself. Officer Helm and Askan bravely served on our Suburban Critical Incident Team together and deployed on numerous tactical operations. Officer Helm and Askan were one of the most successful K9 units in the state and were involved in a variety of unique deployments. Askan was a crowd favorite at DARE graduations and all the various community events he attended. Askan enjoyed his job thoroughly and loved his New Berlin Police Department family. We are very proud of Askan’s service to the community, and his steadfast dedication to keeping us all safe. The New Berlin Police Department would like to thank the veterinarians at UW-Madison and the New Berlin Animal Hospital for their loving care of Askan. We would also like to thank our New Berlin community for all of their support for our K9 program. Askan’s playful energy and competitive drive will be greatly missed.”
This team has received an abundance of accolades throughout their career to include:
• Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin Team of the Month September 2022
• Medal of Valor from the Waukesha Police Department 2021
• Combat Cross from the New Berlin Police Department 2021
• Wisconsin Professional Police Association Meritorious Award 2021
• Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handler Association (WLECHA) Handler of the Year 2018
• WLECHA Meritorious Track with Apprehension 2018
• WLECHA Meritorious Apprehension 2016
• WLECHA Meritorious Article Find 2016
• Commendation Award from the New Berlin Police Department 2016

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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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