K9 Tuco – Stephens County, Oklahoma

Died 5/20/18
Handler – Deputy Matthew Brown

Stephens County Sheriff K-9 dies after Sunday morning crash

Responding to an early Sunday morning accident, the Stephens County Sheriff office K9 Tuco passed away after attempts to save him were unsuccessful. According to Sheriff Wayne McKinney at approximately 4 a.m. deputies were responding to a car which was trapped in a ravine that was filling with water after a big storm hit the area. Two Stephens County sheriff vehicles were traveling to the scene when the first car hit a low spot of the road on Highway 29 according to McKinney and hydroplaned leaving the road into a ditch filled with water. McKinney said the vehicle did a 3/4 roll and caught fire with the second deputy following behind springing into action to help his fellow deputy. The other deputy was successful in being able to get the deputy out of the car and McKinney believes if he wasn’t there the scene could have been worse. “The other deputy pulled up behind him and the only reason my deputy is still alive today is because of the other one,” McKinney said. “He went under the water and was able to get the deputy out of that car and they tried several times to get the dog. The K9 units have a special area in the back to carry dogs to protect him and the public who come up to the cars, but they were unsuccessful getting the dog out of the car.”McKinney is sad about the passing of the dog but was able to report the deputy was treated for minor injuries and has been released from Duncan Regional Hospital. “He is going to be pretty sore, but he doesn’t have any significant serious injuries,” McKinney said. “We are real proud of that other deputy and I thank God that he was that close to him because we probably would have a deceased deputy.” Marlow Police who were on the way to the scene was able to help the Sheriff’s office and took control of the other scene according to Sheriff McKinney. McKinney said he had talked with Marlow Police and they said the other scene was clear and the people in the other vehicle are fine. K9 Tuco according to McKinney will have a small memorial service later, but nothing was announced at this time.

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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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