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.

K9 Bodo – Dennis, Massachusetts

Bodo, Dennis Police Department’s Beloved Retiree, Passes Away The Dennis Police Department recently announced the sad passing of K9 Bodo, a distinguished and cherished member of their team who served the town of Dennis with unwavering dedication for nearly a decade before retiring in 2020. Bodo, known for his ferocious bark and quirky personality, passed away just shy of his …

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K9 Judge – Allentown, Pennsylvania

Died – 3/1/24 Handler – Chief Lee T. Laubach Jr. Judge, beloved Allentown arson dog, dies at 14: ‘He was the best K-9 partner’ The Allentown Fire Department’s former arson K-9 Judge died Friday, just a few days short of his 15th birthday.Judge’s handler, retired fire Chief Lee T. Laubach Jr., posted on the dog’s Facebook page that Judge died …

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K9 Oni – Tucson, Arizona

Tucson Police announce passing of beloved retired K9 ‘Oni’ The Tucson Police K-9 Unit announced the passing of retired K-9 Oni.According to TPD, K9 Oni first joined the unit in 2018 and became dual certified in patrol and narcotic shortly after. TPD says that for a long time, Oni was the only German Shepherd and the largest dog in the …

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K9 Max – Thief River Falls, Minnesota

First-ever TRF Police K9, Max, unexpectedly passes away Thief River Falls Police just announced the unexpected passing of the department’s first-ever police K9, Max.On Thursday, Feb. 29th, 2024, Max’s handler found his K9 partner dead in his kennel. Max’s body was brought to a veterinary clinic where they determined he died from Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, otherwise known as a stomach flip.Max …

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K9 Bane – Prospect Heights, Illinois

Died 2/28/24 Handler – Cpl. Alan Thibeault Police K9 Bane Euthanized The Prospect Heights Police Dept. and handler, retired Cpl. Alan Thibeault, said goodbye to retired K9 Bane on Feb. 28.Bane started his career with the department in 2015 and retired in 2020. He was the first K9 in the department’s history. He logged hundreds of deployments and assisted in …

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K9 Simba – Alachua, Florida

Died – 2/28/24 Handler – Officer Vargas K9 Dies After Battle With Cancer Alachua Police officers are mourning the loss of one of their own.Officials announced that K-9 Simba lost his battle to cancer in a Facebook post Wednesday. Simba was 11 years old. A small gathering with Simba’s family and friends was held at the wish of his handler …

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K9 Ziva – Randolph, North Carolina

Died – 2/27/24 Handler – Detective Shawver Randolph Co. K-9 euthanized from cancer, deputies give tearful goodbye The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office had to say goodbye to a beloved K-9 unit on Tuesday, Feb. 27.K-9 Ziva was diagnosed with infiltrative lipoma earlier in the month, causing tumors to attach themselves to fatty tissue and bone.According to the sheriff’s office, while …

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K9 Esco – Bremerton, Washington

Died – 2/27/24 Handler – Officer Chris Faidley Bremerton Police Department mourns loss of retired K9 after battle with cancer A retired Bremerton Police Department (BPD) K9 named Esco passed away Tuesday evening after a battle with cancer.Esco retired from the BPD when his human was promoted to the FBI in 2022, the BPD wrote in a statement released Wednesday …

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K9 Mygo – Jefferson, Texas

Handler – Deputy Brigette Morse Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Mourns Loss of Valiant K9 Mygo After Cancer Battle In a poignant ceremony in Beaumont, Texas, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office recently said goodbye to one of its most distinguished members, K9 Mygo, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, following a battle with an aggressive form of cancer. Serving alongside Deputy Brigette Morse …

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K9 Zoltan – Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Died 2/25/24 Handler – Officer Jay Hatfield Retired Lancaster city K9 Zoltan dies after battle with cancer The Lancaster City Bureau of Police announced the passing of K9 Zoltan.Zotan died early Sunday morning.He was laid to rest after Officer Hatfield, his dedicated handler of 8 years, observed his health rapidly deteriorating.K9 Zoltan was given a police escort from his home …

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