K9 Draco – Aurora, Colorado

K9 Died – 6/1/19
Handler – Officer Matt Green

Aurora police mourn passing of K-9

The Aurora Police Department has announced the passing of a beloved K-9, Draco. A spokesperson for the department says Draco was found to have an aggressive form of brain cancer on Thursday, and he was rushed to VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital for treatment. The department asked via Facebook Saturday for thoughts, well wishes and prayers for Draco and his partner, Officer Matt Green, as the dog was treated. But it was announced Saturday evening that Draco’s illness was determined to be untreatable, and the decision was made to end his suffering. Police said the staff at Alameda East had done everything possible for Draco, who was surrounded by his partner and his wife, other Aurora PD officers, and veterinary staff when he died. According to Aurora PD, Draco had served with the department since 2015. Spending the last two years with Officer Green, he was trained for patrol work and explosive detection. Draco was just a few weeks shy of his fifth birthday.

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.