K9 Mako – Ashton, Idaho

Handler – Greg Belew

Ashton Police bid farewell to faithful K-9 officer

The Ashton Police Department said goodbye to one of their own Wednesday evening.“It was with great sadness (that) on Oct. 25, the Ashton Police Department laid to rest drug detection, K-9 Mako,” Police Chief Greg Griffel told EastIdahoNews.com in a written statement.Mako had been diagnosed with a large tumor at the back of his throat about a month ago, according to Griffel. He also had “a number of tumors” in his lungs. The decision was made to humanely euthanize him.Mako began his police career with the St. Anthony Police Department. He then served with the Soda Springs Police Department and finally the Ashton Police Department since 2020, according to Griffel. Although his location changed, his handler did not.“Mako faithfully spent his entire career with handler Officer Greg Belew,” Griffel said.“Mako visited many schools, libraries, scout groups, 4H camps, senior centers, parades and celebrations,” Griffel said.He was reportedly capable of destroying the back seat of a police vehicle “in record time.” Mako also performed his drug-detection duties “with great gusto and precision.”“He will be missed immensely by our department and his family,” Griffel said. “Mako was proof dogs truly are man’s best friend.”

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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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