K9 Zeke – Muldrow, Oklahoma

Died – 7/29/15

Police K9 Dies Of Heat Stroke In Vehicle

A K9 has died as the result of a heat stroke, according to the Muldrow Police Department. K9 Zeke was seven years old and had been with the department more than four years. The dog was inside of a patrol unit for longer than an hour. The officer on duty was dispatched to a call and left Zeke in the vehicle with the air conditioner running. When the officer eventually returned to the unit, he discovered it had malfunctioned and was only blowing out hot air. Sequoyah County Sheriff’s official Charlie House said the investigation is ongoing. Muldrow Police released the following statement. “It is with great sadness that we inform our residents of the passing of our K9 Zeke. Zeke was seven years old and worked for MPD for over 4 years. Zeke assisted in over a hundred alerts over his career resulting in numerous drug arrests. Zeke passed as a result of heat stroke from a malfunctioning patrol unit. Thank you to the many individuals, businesses, and Cherokee Nation who assisted with donations in obtaining the funds to purchase him. Zeke will be missed and I ask for your thoughts and prayers for Brad Roberts and Current handler Robert Allen who are missing their partner.”

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.