K9 Kilo – Knoxville, Tennessee

Died – 7/7/17
1st Handler – Officer Jimmy Wilson (one year)
2nd Handler – Officer Todd Childress( 5 years)
Adopted – Officer Garrett Fontanez

Knoxville Police Department mourns death of retired K-9 officer

On Friday, July 7, 2017, retired KPD K-9 Kilo passed away due to complications from a cyst in his stomach. Kilo faithfully served the City of Knoxville from 2010 to 2016, when he retired. Kilo was partnered with Officer Jimmy Wilson for one year and Officer Todd Childress for five years. Once Kilo retired he was adopted by and lived with Officer Garrett Fontanez until his death. Please keep each of Kilos former handlers and current owner in your thoughts and prayers. The attached group picture was taken one hour before Kilo passed away this evening. Officer Fontanez brought Kilo to see his brothers in blue one last time. Kilo really enjoyed seeing all the uniforms like he did when he was on the job. Rest In Peace Kilo.

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.