K9 Blitz – Baker, Florida

Handler – Lt. Chris Walker

Baker County Sheriff’s Office shares sad news of retired K-9′s passing

Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden took to social media on Mon., Jan. 29 to announce the passing of one of their own.In a Facebook post by the sheriff’s office, Blitz was said to have admirably served by the side of his handler, Lt. Chris Walker from 2011 to 2018.K-9 Blitz was responsible for finding 140 criminals, assisted with countless narcotic searches, and helped apprehend 23 fleeing suspects. It just wasn’t his work in the field. Blitz was also an ambassador in the community.“Blitz also participated in many public K through 9 demonstrations to help educate the community and school-aged children about the invaluable contributions of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 ogram,” the department said in their social media post.After retiring, Blitz remained part of his long-time partner Lt. Walker, and his family.

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.