K9 Smokey – Jacksonville, Illinois

Died – 3/17/20

Jacksonville Fire Dept. dog ‘Smokey’ passes away

Smokey, a Jacksonville Fire Department dog who had received national recognition, has died. The department said Smokey began serving with the department in the fall of 2009. She passed peacefully Tuesday. Smokey was named “Top Firehouse Dog” nationally in 2013 and made appearances on NBC Today in New York before heading to Chicago for an appearance on NBC’s Chicago Fire. Former Illinois governor Pat Quinn proclaimed Oct. 11, 2013 as “Smokey the Dog Day”. Smokey received Senate recognition for her support of Illinois fire safety and prevention. Smokey taught thousands of children how to “Stop, Drop and Roll” in a fire emergency. Firefighters shared their sorrow in Smokey’s passing Wednesday, remembering when they worked with police to resuscitate her before she joined the department. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter that was meant to be,” said Jacksonville Fire Chief Doug Sills. “She was a friend to all, a valued community member, companion and team member to all Jacksonville firefighters and will be desperately missed.”

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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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