K9 Jozek – Ellwood, Pennsylvania

Handler – Officer McBride
Retired Ellwood City Police Canine Passes Away

Lt. David Kingston-Operations Officer released the following statement: It is with great sadness ECPD reports the passing of Ellwood City Police Canine and McBride family pet “Jozek.” Jozek, a Czech born German Shepard, came to ECPD in March of 2007 and worked as part of the canine team. JOZEK was born in the Czech Republic June 9, 2005 and was purchased by ECPD on March 9, 2007 from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, PA. After purchasing Jozek from Shallow Creek Kennels, Jozek trained with his handler for a 12 week period with Master Trainer Pat Maloney of the North American Work Dog Association. JOZEK was a dual purpose canine trained in Narcotic Detection, Tracking and Patrol. Jozek maintained certification with North American Work Dog Association and American Work Dog Association until his retirement on May 1, 2016. Jozek retired to the family farm from the ECPD on May 1, 2016 after 9 years of patrol duty, where he lounged around the family farm. He was suffering from Fibrocartilaginous Embolisms. The disease in dogs is caused by a small fragment of inter-vertebral disk material that migrates into the blood vessels of the spinal cord. This blocks off the blood supply to the spinal cord causing damage to the spinal cord. The ECPD is very grateful for the countless expressions of sympathy and other acts of kindness extended during this most difficult time. Your thoughtfulness will long be remembered. We ask for your continued prayers and may god bless you all.

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.