K9 Chico – Memphis, Tennessee

Died – 3/3/22
Handler – Sergeant Shane Davis

Retired Memphis Police K-9 dies

Memphis police are mourning the loss of one of their furry officers. Retired K-9 named Chico passed away on March 3. MPD says Chico started his K-9 career in 2008 where he worked in the Organized Crime Unit. Shortly after entering service, Chico was re-assigned to the Multi-agency Gang Unit in 2011 until his retirement in 2015. From 2009 to 2011, Chico was assigned to handler Sergeant Shane Davis. Davis is assigned to the Sex Crimes Bureau. Chico’s current handler and partner is Lieutenant Jimmy Gaylor, who is assigned to the Auto Theft Task Force. MPD says during Chico’s seven years at the department, he recovered over one million dollars in currency, hundreds of pounds of marijuana, cocaine and numerous illegal prescription drugs. Thank you K-9 Chico for your service!

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.