K9 Renzo – Sullivan, Illinois

Died 2/21/21
Handler – Officer A. Smith

Sullivan Police K9 passes away from pre-existing health condition

The Sullivan Police Department lost its first K9 unit on Sunday. A Facebook post says officers found out he had an undiagnosed pre-existing condition. “Renzo had just started his first week of K-9 training with Officer A. Smith,” says SPD. “Renzo showed signs of distress and was seen by a veterinarian in Decatur.” Police said the K9 was then seen by another veterinary. Then, while under care of vets at Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital, police say Renzo’s condition quickly advanced and he collapsed with severe breathing problems. SPD says the dog went into cardiac arrest and passed away because of secondary complications from his illness. The department adds more updates will be provided after an autopsy is completed. “This has been a setback but we will continue the program with the help of the community and the City of Sullivan,” says SPD.

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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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