K9 Yoshi – Umatilla County , Oregon

Died 7/22/14
Handler – Senior Deputy Lindsey Evans

Yosh came to the Sheriffs Office November 11 2012, he completed the Caninepro Canine Academy and ertified as a team on January 2, 2013. During the year Yoshiwas with the county he had a total of 13 captures, his first capture was made two days after he initially ertified. He also was instrumental in the arrest of Luka Chang. Yoshi fell ill and was retired June 30, 2014. On July 22, 2014 at 3:30 PM Yoshi was found bleeding and near comatose in his kennel. Yoshi was near death and died in his handlers arms at the veterinarians office. A partial necropsy was performed and it was found that Yoshi died after ingesting an unknown source of poison.

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.