K9 Nitro – York County , Nebraska

Died 2/8/22

Handler – Deputy Tony Howe

K9 Nitro II was killed in a vehicle crash when a subject stole her handler’s vehicle and intentionally drove into another car and a passing train on Delaware Avenue near 19th Street.Deputies had responded to a vehicle driving erratically around 11:00 pm and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and lead deputies on a pursuit with speeds exceeding 100 mph. The subject suddenly stopped and exited his vehicle. He disobeyed officers’ commands, concealed his hands, and stated he wanted to die. He was able to get into the patrol car containing Nitro II and fled.The stolen patrol vehicle stopped on the railroad tracks as a train approached. As soon as the train was close, the suspect proceeded north, and the oncoming train blocked the officers on the south side of the tracks. The man drove a short distance away, turned around, and headed back towards the train at a high rate of speed. He intentionally drove into a bystander’s vehicle, pushing it into the train and killing its driver and K9 Nitro II. The subject was also killed in the crash.K9 Nitro II had served with the York County Sheriff’s Department for six months.

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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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