K9 Rico – Alaska State Police

Died – 3/26/17
Handler – Trooper Christopher Havens

Alaska State Police Dog Fatally Shot

Alaska State Troopers have released the names of the officers and the K9 involved in the March 26 fatal shooting of a 36-year-old Wasilla man near mile 45.5 of the Parks Highway. According to an online dispatch posted Wednesday, the troopers were identified as Christopher Havens, a five-year AST veteran currently serving in B Detachment, Mat-Su West Patrol, and Jason Somerville, who has 1 1/2 years of service currently working with B Detachment’s Palmer Patrol. The online dispatch said K9 “Rico,” a three-year-old Dutch Shepherd, was the dog killed by Justin Quincy Smith, who was later fatally shot. According to reports, Smith led troopers on an approximate 45-minute pursuit in the Wasilla area starting around 3 a.m. before his vehicle was finally stopped with spike strips. Police state Smith then exited his vehicle and ignored troopers’ commands. At that point, Havens, “Rico’s” handler since last October, deployed the K9. Troopers say Smith then turned and fired a handgun striking the dog. Havens and Somerville returned fire, hitting Smith. He was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries. Neither trooper was injured in the altercation.

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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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