K9 Ryker – Smyrna, Tennessee

Died – 10/19/23
Handler – Officer Don Godby

Smyrna Police Department mourns the loss of beloved K9 officer Ryker

The Smyrna Police Department is mourning the passing of one of its K9s. The department says K9 Ryker passed away Thursday.K9 Ryker served the Smyrna community for eight years. He began service in the Smyrna community in Oct. 2015 with his handler, Officer Don Godby.Ryker’s last shift on patrol was Wednesday night. Officer Godby, sends his heartfelt tribute to Ryker saying “Bedankt dat je een geweldige partner bent. Ik hou van je vriend. Tot ooit nog eens!” which translates to “Thank you for being a great partner. I love you friend. See you again someday!”The department says they appreciate Ryker’s service and he will be truly missed by his family and this agency.

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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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