K9 Ronja – Tacoma, Washington

Died – 8/13/20

The Tacoma Police Department is mourning the loss of rookie K9 Ronja, who was shot in a gunfight while chasing a homicide suspect overnight. “We are heartbroken,” the department said in a news release announcing Ronja’s death. Ronja was tracking a homicide suspect around 1:30 a.m. Thursday when police and the suspect exchanged gunfire. The 2-year-old German Shepherd and the suspect were both shot and critically injured. Ronja later succumbed to her injuries. Ronja had served the Tacoma PD for eight months, beginning in Januaray when she moved to the United States from the Czech Republic. “Our first look at Ronja was in videos that came from her breeders overseas; while there were many dogs to choose from, Ronja’s work ethic and tenacity stood out above the rest,” Tacoma Police said. Ronja was selected to work with K9 handler Officer Jennifer Syler. Police said it’s rare for a female dog to be used as a tracking K9. “To have the dog be partnered with a female handler is something truly special,” police said. “Ronja’s trainers were impressed with her abilities to keep up with, and even outdo, the male K9s in her class. She was easy to train and her motivation was exceptional.” Ronja completed her training in April and hit the ground running with a big capture two week later. She tracked three suspects who had burglarized a school in east Tacoma. A few months later, she gained notoriety again after she captured a suspect who broke into the Boys & Girls Club. Just 10 days ago, the children of the Boys & Girls Club had a celebration to thank Ronja for her help in recovering their stolen laptops. “K9 Ronja’s death is heartbreaking for her handler and our department. K9s hold a very special place in our hearts – their loyalty, bravery, and dedication is inspiring. K9 Ronja sacrificed herself to save the life of her partner and her fellow officers,” Tacoma Police said. “Ronja was her given name in the Czech Republic and it means ‘bringing victory.’ To us, Ronja will forever mean bringing valor. And for that we are eternally grateful.”

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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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