K9 Zieko – Ayden, North Carolina

Died – 1/7/24
Handler – Sgt. Johnson

Community mourns the loss of retired K9 Officer Zieko

A recently retired K9 has passed away in Pitt County.K9 Zieko was born in the Czech Republic on May 16, 2022.He was transported to the U.S. in 2013 to be a patrol canine and was partnered with his handler Sgt. Johnson at the Ayden Police Department.K9 Zieko began his duties in June 2013 alongside his partner before retiring last summer in June of 2023.Officials state that K9 Zieko passed away on Sunday, Jan. 7.He was described as a dedicated officer who provided years of service to the community.

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.