K9 Oktane – South Euclid, Ohio

Died 12/6/17
Handler – Officer Dustin Smoot

South Euclid police K9 passes away

South Euclid police shared some heartbreaking news on Wednesday: K9 Oktane passed away at around 4 p.m. today. On Tuesday, Oktane’s handler, Officer Dustin Smoot, posted on the department’s Facebook page that the pup was diagnosed with cancer. A day later, Officer Smoot sadly reported that his beloved Oktane had passed. He wrote, “As you can all imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for me, but I guarantee that your prayers and well wishes are lifting me up. Thank you all for your continued support.” He ended his Facebook post with a message to his pup: “Please watch over heaven and be sure to meet up with Rex and Recon, pal. I love you very much and will forever cherish your unwavering devotion and love to me.”

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.