K9 Scotty – Erwin, Tennessee

Died – 9/27/24
Officer Chad Mckinney

K-9 officer found dead after going missing following historic flooding

A K-9 officer in Tennessee was found dead after going missing following historic flooding, according to officials.The Erwin Police Department said K-9 Scotty went missing during Friday’s flood.“Scotty has been missing from the Bumpass Cove area since yesterday’s flood. He has a callus on his right front elbow that looks like a raw spot,” the department posted.On Saturday, the department said he was later found dead. “Please pray for his handler, Officer Chad Mckinney, and all who loved him,” EPD said.The flooding also led to more than 50 people being rescued from a hospital roof after they became trapped on Friday.

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.