K9 Freckles – Okaloossa County, Florida

Died 5/11/17

K9 Officer Freckles Dies on Duty

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office says a K-9 officer working to help track down a wanted man has died. The dog was called “Freckles” and worked with officers out of the Okaloossa Correctional Institution. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said “she was a great dog with a great nose who set the bar high for her counterparts. Well done K9 Freckles. Our sincere sympathies go out to her Handler and the OCI.” The sheriff’s office posted a video of deputy vehicles honoring freckles with a procession. “Rest In Peace Okaloosa Correctional Institution K9 “Freckles”, whose long tenure of loyal service ended today when the 11 year old Beagle apparently overheated during his efforts to help track wanted felon Eric Russell in North Okaloosa County. This vehicle procession took place in K9 Freckles honor today as he was taken back to OCI on Highway 85. #respect #service #loyalty“ “Freckles” was searching for an alleged car thief who’s been running from law enforcement for days.

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.