K9 FOX – Greenville, South Carolina

Died – 2/23/16
Handler – Officer Michael Austin

Greenville Police K-9 “Fox”

The Greenville Police Department announced the passing of K-9 “Fox” .Tuesday. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of K9 Fox. In 2006, K9 Fox joined the Greenville Police Department and was partnered with Michael Austin. During his career, he was credited with hundreds of arrests and removing over a million dollars in drugs from the streets. One of the many highlights of Fox’s tenure occurred in 2009 when Fox apprehended an armed subject who hijacked a bus occupied by students with special needs. Fox was awarded the “SONJA” award from the National Criminal Enforcement Association and was also awarded “A Hero of Heroes” by the Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs Board. He is remembered for his service to the department and he will be greatly missed!”

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.