K9 Iko – Windsor, Connecticut

Died – 5/22/17
Handler – Officer Steve Vesco

It is with a heavy heart that CPWDA announces that Officer Steve Vesco’s K9 partner Iko of the Windsor Police Department was euthanized at approximately 10:30 a.m. today at the age of 9. Recently on February 14, just two days before retirement, Vesco let Iko let out of the car to stretch his legs when he suddenly collapsed after suffering a ruptured disc resulting in paralysis of his rear quarter and had to have surgery. K9 Iko was German Shepherd from the Netherlands .In 2012 K9 Iko, won a 1st place trophy and medallion award at the 2012 United States Police Canine Association Region #4 K9 Field Trials. The team also finished fourth overall in criminal apprehension in the 2013 Region 4 contest in which thirty-seven police K-9 teams competed from throughout the Northeast including Maine, New Hampshire, MA, New York and CT. K9 Iko was a lifetime member of the CPWDA since 9/30/08. Officer Vesco has been one of our longest members of the CPWDA, joining on 9/19/97 with his first K9 Jag . K9 Iko will be missed greatly by all members of the CPWDA and the greater K9 community and the town on Windsor. CPWDA sends our thoughts and prayers to Officer Steve Vesco, his family Windsor Police Department and friends during this difficult time. RIP Iko and thank you for your service.

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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.
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