K9 Bak – Greenfield, Indiana

Died – 11/8/24
Handler – Patrolman Jerami Summers

Former GPD K-9 passes away

Former Greenfield Police Department K-9 Bak passed away late last week. He had been retired since 2019.Officials with the Greenfield Police Department (GPD) shared some sad news late last week, announcing that former K-9 Bak (retired) passed away Friday with his dad, GPD Patrolman Jerami Summers, by his side. Bak, who lived a long happy life was 15 years old at the time of his passing. Bak served alongside Patrolman Summers from 2010 until he retired in 2019. After his retirement, Bak enjoyed spending time with his family and taking naps. Officials from the GPD as that you please keep Patrolman Summers and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

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.