K9 Sophie – Centerville, Ohio

Died 9/11/23
Handler – Officer Jason Shields

Police dog killed on I-15

A Centerville police dog was killed Monday morning after she got out of her handler’s house, ended up on Interstate 15 and was struck by a car. According to police, Sophie — a bloodhound trained in tracking — “got loose” from the home of Officer Jason Shields on Sunday night, and officers spent the night looking for her. At about 7 a.m. on Monday, the dog was spotted running south in the northbound lanes of I-15 just north of Parrish Lane. Before officers could reach her, Sophie was struck and killed. According to a news release from Centerville police, the vehicle that hit the dog has not been located, but the driver “is not believed to be at fault.” Sophie had been with the Centerville Police Department since November 2019, “and was recognized as a go-to K-9 in Davis County,” according to police, proving to be “an invaluable asset to the community and was instrumental in locating lost children, Alzheimer patients, and fleeing suspects.” After a public viewing for Sophie on Monday until 2:30 p.m. at the Centerville Police Department at 250 N. Main Street, police will hold a private service. A public, graveside service will be held “at a later date.”

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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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