K9 Jack – Hemet, California

Died – 4/23/17
Handler – Officer Matt Gomez

Hemet K9 loses battle with cancer

Hemet has lost a K9 officer. Jack, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, succumbed Sunday night, April 23, after a short battle with cancer, according to Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown. “His handler Matt Gomez and family members along with department representatives were at his side for support,” Brown wrote in a message. Jack joined the department June 6, 2013, and was the first “active duty” K9 to die in department history, Brown said. “Jack was an extremely dedicated, loyal and hard-working partner,” Brown wrote. “He served his handler, the department and our community with great enthusiasm and drive and he undoubtedly saved a number lives and assisted in hundreds of arrests during his four years of dedicated service.” The mayor and City Council will present Gomez a gift in honor of Jack’s service when they meet at 7 p.m.Tuesday, April 25, in the council chambers.

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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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