K9 Zane – Conyers, Georgia

Died 7/16/15
Handler – Officer Jerahmy Williams

Conyers Police K9 found dead in handler’s car

A Conyers Police Corporal is on paid leave after his K9 partner was found dead in his patrol car. Zane, a 5-year-old police bloodhound, died Thursday. He was discovered at around 5 p.m. in the cruiser, which was parked in Jerahmy Williams’ driveway. “We are committed to the care and proper treatment of our working K9s. We are mourning the loss of our own,” Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson said in a statement. Williams has worked for the police department for nearly five years and spent three years as Zane’s handler. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office have teamed up to investigate Zane’s death. Williams will remain on leave until the investigation is complete.

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.