K9 Shadow – Terre Haute, Indiana

Died 11/25/16
Handler – Officer Brent Long

K9 Shadow passes away after battle with health complications

Sad news in the law enforcement community and for the city of Terre Haute. This as K9 Officer Shadow has passed away at the age of 10. Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse confirmed the news on Saturday. He says K-9 Shadow was put to rest on Friday. Plasse says K9 Shadow’s health was deteriorating. He had lost the use of his back legs and suffered from seizures. K9 Shadow worked with the Terre Haute Police Department under his handler, Officer Brent Long. This year marked five years since Officer Long was shot and killed in the line of duty. He was attempting to serve a felony warrant at the time. His partner, K9 Shadow, was shot and injured too in the incident and had undergone multiple surgeries. In a statement, the Terre Haute Police Department said that Shadow will always be remembered for his bravery and dedicated service. Chief Plasse says a memorial service is being planned to honor the K9 officer.

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.