K9 Midas – Hancock County , West Virginia

Died – 7/29/18
Handler – Deputy First Class Pat Hoder

Canine officer dies after heat equipment malfunction

A canine officer with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has died after an air conditioning unit failed. According to a press release, a series of unforeseen events involving technical issues with a patrol vehicle led to the tragedy. Canine Midas was inside his vehicle kennel when the air conditioning unit in the cruiser malfunctioned and failed to continue to operate. Hancock County canine cruisers are equipped with safety windows which are designed to lower the two back windows, activate a window fan and set off an alarm when the temperature inside the cruiser reaches a certain level. According to the release, that equipment also failed. Once it was discovered that the equipment had failed, steps were taken to help the distressed canine. Officials tried to get the canine officer cooled down by packing him with ice while he was being transported to Town and Country Animal Hospital in Wheeling. Wheeling Police was notified about the emergency situation and met Hancock County crews at the county line where more ice was applied to the lethargic canine. The veterinarian along with the staff at Town and Country started to work with Midas and according to the release, he started responding. Throughout the day, positive updates were reported on Midas’ health. Due to his initial recovery and his increased mobility, the staff became concerned. Midas was then sedated in order to rest. During that time, Midas managed to pull out his catheter. Official believe that action may have caused a blood clot to become dislodged which caused Midas to experience a seizure. Midas died as a result of that seizure. Hancock County Sheriff Ralph A. Fletcher said, “these animals aren’t just a tool. They become partners. They become part of the family of the handler, and they become endeared to the rest of the department. It affects everybody. I don’t know anyone in this department who isn’t a dog lover.” Midas was four-years-old. when he passed away Sunday, July 29th.

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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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