K9 Paco – Tyler, Texas

Handler – Officer Steve Black

Retired K9 Officer Paco mourned by Tyler police family

A valued retired officer of the Tyler Police Department has died. K9 Officer Paco, the partner of Officer Steve Black for eight years, has died, according to Police PIO Andy Erbaugh. Paco had just retired in Nov. 2019, due to age and health issues, the department told us at that time. The 11-year-old German Shepherd had joined the team when he was selected by Officer Black in Nov. 2010. “Paco was way more than a ‘working dog or tool’ to me,” said Officer Black in a press release from the Tyler Police Department in November. “Paco was and continues to be a loyal companion, a faithful partner, and a loving family member. It’s going to be very hard going back to work without Paco in our Tahoe and him by my side protecting me.” Throughout his years of service, Paco, along with his handler, was a key part in hundreds of felony arrests and had aided in the seizure of illegal firearms. He also assisted patrol, vice, and several other agencies.

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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.
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