K9 Rocky – Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Died – 4/15/17
Handler – Lt. Rick Tucker

Police in mourning after longtime K-9 officer passes away

Jenkintown police are reporting some sad news: the passing of their beloved K-9 officer Rocky. Rocky was put to sleep Saturday morning with his handler and partner, Lt. Rick Tucker, by his side. Rocky served the Jenkintown and surrounding communities for almost nine years. He is credited with numerous narcotic and burglary suspect finds. Rocky also touched many lives — young and old — as he did many demonstrations for various children’s groups such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club. In 2014, Rocky was sick and needed donations to cover a life-saving intestinal surgery. He got that surgery and was doing great. Rocky retired last August at age 11, just six weeks after apprehending yet another burglar. His handler and partner, Lt. Tucker, is certainly devastated by the loss of Rocky, but wanted to thank everyone for their support during this very difficult time.

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.