K9 Taz – Tampa, Florida

Handler – Officer Britt Martinez

Tampa PD’s retired K9 Taz passes away

The Tampa Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its beloved retired K9’s. Officials said K9 Taz passed away recently. TPD said the K9 served in the department alongside handler, Officer Britt Martinez, for nine years before he retired in 2021. “Taz was more than a police dog – he was a protector of the people and a best friend to Officer Britt Martinez,” officials with the department said in a Facebook post on Monday. The department said K9 Taz and Martinez shared countless memories while serving together, and were called for explosive detection and criminal apprehensions. They also helped with community outreach and Tampa’s Super Bowl security. During the pup’s retirement, TPD said Taz embraced his golden years with car rides, his beloved Kong toy and patrolling his neighborhood on walks with Martinez. The Motor Unit, Honor Guard and other members of TPD came together to help honor K9 Taz alongside the department’s K9 Unit. “Taz, thank you for your service. We honor you today and always,” the Facebook post from TPD continued.

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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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