K9 Kash – Madison County, Kentucky

Died – 9/3/20
Handler – Deputy J. Thompson

Madison County Sheriff’s Office mourning the loss of K9 Kash

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their own with the passing of K9 partner, Kash, who faithfully served the community alongside his partner, Deputy J. Thompson. Kash’s End of Watch was on Thursday, after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness in late June of this year, a press release notes. K9 Kash was an imported eight-year-old male German Shepherd certified in narcotics detection tracking. According to a release, Kash had served the Madison County Sheriff’s Office since April of 2019, after previously serving at a Northern Kentucky Police agency, and held narcotics and tracking certifications form the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) and the No Nonsense Patrol Dog Association (NNPDA). The canine was tested and certified in the detection of illegal narcotics including; heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. During their partnership, Deputy Thompson and K9 Kash were responsible for the seizure of illegal narcotics and monies in the excess of $80,000 and firearms used for drug trafficking from the streets of Madison County. Additionally, they were responsible for multiple drug arrests. “During K9 Kash’s career with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, he quickly proved himself as a proficient narcotics detection K9,” the release reads. “K9 Kash is credited with making a significant and positive impact on the citizens of our community by removing dangerous and illegal narcotics from the streets of Madison County.” The duo were called upon often to assist local agencies for narcotics detection including Kentucky State Police Post 7, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, Richmond Police Department, Berea Police Department and HIDTA. They also conducted several K9 demonstrations throughout their years of service, for both children and adults within Madison County. The canine was well known for his “ability to bring a smile to anyone’s face.” “K9 Kash is a humble hero and exemplary performer who was unequivocally dedicated to his work and his partner Deputy Thompson. The sheriff’s office asks the community to keep Deputy Thompson and his family in their prayers as they grieve the loss of K9 Kash.

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.