Correctional Officer Sergeant Gilbert Cortez

Correctional Officer Sgt. Gilbert Cortez, 46, and his service dog, Mattie, were killed in a single car accident on 3/25/13 at 7:20 a.m. while on duty. K9 Mattie succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the crash. There were no other occupants of the vehicle when the crash occurred. Officer Cortez was leading a small caravan of five vehicles with a marked Ford Crown Victoria on State Route 79, east of Lake Henshaw, a half-mile south of San Felipe Road in the Warner Springs area. They were en route to inspect La Cima Fire Camp, an inmate-staffed back-country firefighting outpost in the Julian area

The Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. does not represent any specific law enforcement agency, nor do we advocate any specific method of training. We have the expertise to assist any law enforcement agency in establishing a canine unit, canine policy, and canine unit procedures. We can provide assistance in handler and canine selection, and can assist your agency locate a credible training program.

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