K9 Tommy – Lafayette, Indiana

Died 7/6/17
Handler – Officer Ron Dombkowski

Longtime Lafayette K9 officer passes away

The Lafayette Police Department is mourning the death of longtime K9 officer Tommy. Tommy served the department’s canine unit alongside Officer Ron Dombkowski from 2008 to 2017, and he was a faithful partner and companion. During his time on the LPD, Tommy was deployed over 800 times, assisted in over 390 arrests, participated in seizing over 40 pounds of narcotics, over $9,000 dollars, and four firearms. Since his retirement this year, Tommy has been a member of the Dombkowski family and has enjoyed long, well-deserved naps on the couch. Tommy will be remembered for his hard work ethic and Dloveable nature. He died of natural causes and was 10-years-old at the time of his death.

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.