K9 Utah – Springfield, Illinois

Died 6/27/23
Handler – Officer Dave Pletsch

Springfield Police retired K9 passes away from cancer

A retired Springfield Police K9 passed away on June 27. Retired Officer Dave Pletsch #488 laid to rest his retired K9 partner Utah. K9 Utah’s life was drastically reduced due to a recently diagnosed, untreatable cancer. Members of the Springfield Police K9 Unit, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, Chatham Police K9 Unit, and Rochester Police K9 Unit escorted Officer Pletsch and K9 Utah from the police department Veterinarian, to the front of the Springfield Police Station and to Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.K9 Utah and Officer Pletsch entered canine service on Febr 25, 2013 as a narcotics detection and patrol K9 team. Utah was born in Western Europe on November 22, 2011, and was a formidable partner entering service. On July 6, 2013, Officer Pletsch and Utah graduated from the Springfield Police Basic K9 Academy and were assigned to the former Watch I until they both retired on July 6, 2020.Prior to retirement, Officer Pletsch and Utah enjoyed success in placing within the top five overall teams in the United States Police Canine Association, Region 16 patrol trials. In retirement and prior to his illness, Officer Pletsch and Utah enjoyed leisurely walks through their neighborhood, and traveling around the Country with Officer Pletsch and his family.

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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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