K9 Jeroen – Chenango County, New York

Died – 4/10/20
1st Handler – Sgt Smietana
2nd Handler – Detective O’Hara

Chenango County Sheriff Mourns Loss of Police K-9 Hero “Jeroen”

Jeroen had an amazing career, and never wavered in his selfless service to the citizens of Chenango County. After being born in the Netherlands he was purchased from Shallow Creek Kennels. He graduated from the Syracuse Police K9 School with his original handler Sgt Smietana. Following a 2014 injury to Sgt Smietana, K9 Jeroen partnered with Detective O’Hara. In his nine years of service K9 Jeroen was involved in hundreds of narcotics investigations, tracked numerous fleeing suspects, apprehended burglars, and located missing persons. Jeroen also performed for thousands of people in public demonstrations. Jeroen was fearless in protecting the citizens of Chenango County and beyond. He touched countless lives, and will be deeply missed. Rest easy Jereon. Till we meet again in Valhalla!

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.