K9 Hero

Mattie

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — Sacramento, CA

Automobile crash Belgian Malinois

Service Record

End of Watch March 25, 2013

K9 Profile

Breed Belgian Malinois

Cause Automobile crash

Agency

Department California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Location Sacramento, CA

Incident

Sergeant Gilbert Cortez and K9 Mattie were killed in an automobile accident Route 79, near San Felipe Road, in San Diego County.

Sergeant Cortez was part of a convoy of state corrections K9 officers who were en route to inspect the La Cima Fire Camp in a rural part of the county. His marked vehicle veered off the roadway and overturned, killing K9 Mattie. Sergeant Cotez was transported to a local fire station but died before a helicopter could reach him.

K9 Mattie had served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 1-1/2 years.