K9 Nyx – Rockford, Illinois

Died 1/28/24
Handler – Officer Vargas

Rockford Police K9 shot and killed, man injured during domestic call

A domestic call ended in tragedy after one of Rockford Illinois Police Department’s K9 officers was killed in the line of duty. K9 Officer Nyx was fatally shot while protecting her handler on Sunday afternoon, according to officials. The incident initially happened on Jacqueline Drive and police were called to a domestic situation in the area.A short time later, they found a male suspect connected to the incident in the 2900 block of 11th Street. The situation escalated when the suspect started firing gunshots at K9 officer Nyx. The K9 was struck by the gunfire and died from her injuries, according to officials. The suspect was also shot in the leg and taken to a local hospital for treatment. A nonprofit organization, the Friends of Rockford Police K-9 Unit, issued a statement on the K-9 officer’s passing on social media, shared below: “Rockford Illinois Police Department K-9 Nyx was shot and killed in the line of duty this afternoon while protecting her handler. She selflessly and courageously gave her life for her community. The Friends of Rockford Police K-9 board members are shocked and saddened by this senseless act. Nyx was an amazing K9 officer and we have heavy hearts for her handler,” said Kathy Hansen, president of the nonprofit.The investigation of the incident is ongoing and is being turned over to the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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.