K9 Reko – Queensland, Australia

Died 5/17/22
Handler – Senior Constable Martin Wilson

Queensland Police farewell four legged colleague

The Queensland Police Force has farewelled much loved member of the team Police Dog Reko 360, who passed away on May 17 at the age of 11. PD Reko retired from the force in 2020 after working side by side with his handler Senior Constable Martin Wilson since 2015, successfully locating numerous offenders and missing persons. Following retirement, Reko lived out his days at SC Wilson’s home. The Officer in Charge of the Sunshine Coast District Dog Squad, Sergeant Craig Law reflected on PD Reko’s career with the QPS. “PD Reko had very special place within the Dog Squad and needless to say ‘bite work’ with this very serious hound was never a pleasure, except for Reko of course,” said Sergeant Law.

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.