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 Blitz – Sacramento, California

5/17/15 Handler: Officer Azevedo Retired Sacramento Police K9 Blitz Passes Away The Sacramento Police Department shared the news Sunday that retired K9 Blitz had died. Blitz was peacefully put to rest at the VCA Vet Referral Center following a ride through the streets of Sacramento where he visited several of his old stomping grounds one last time. K9 Blitz’s hearing, …

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K9 Adja – MWD

Died – 5/13/15 Marine dog Adja served as a bomb dog for four deployments, retired, and was adopted by a Marine veteran, who gave her a wonderful life. But terrible arthritic pain ended up wracking the 13-year-old shepherd’s body, and he finally knew the time had come. He built her a casket himself and arranged for an honor guard to …

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K9 Rex – Shenandoah County, Virginia

Died – 5/4/15 Handler – Deputy Victor Green Mysterious death of drug dog prompts sheriff’s investigation The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office has called in the state veterinarian to conduct an autopsy after the mysterious death Monday of Rex, the agency’s drug detection dog. Deputy Victor A. Green found the 4 1/2-year old Belgian Malinois dead in a Sheriff’s Office K-9 …

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K9 Barrett – Muskegon, Michigan

Handler: Sgt. Eric Ridout Retired Muskegon County K-9 deputy dies Retired K-9 dog, Barrett, who worked with the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office for years, has died. Barrett started at the sheriff’s office in 2005 and worked with Muskegon County Sheriff’s Sgt. Eric Ridout, his handler, until Barrett retired in 2012. “He led a good life. He was a great dog,” …

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K9 Bruno – Brownsville, Texas

Died – 4/23/15 Handler – Officer Juan Villarreal K9 Bruno Dies from heat stroke A Brownsville police officer was charged with the death of his K-9 partner. Investigators said the officer failed to follow protocol. The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. They handed the case to the district attorney who filed a charge of animal cruelty against the …

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K9 Igor – Kissimmee, Florida

Died – 4/21/15 Kissimmee Police mourning sudden death of K9 The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of a Kissimmee Police dog after a training exercise Tuesday, officials said. Igor, a 4-year-old German shepherd, had been with the department since 2012, Kissimmee Police spokeswoman Stacie Miller said. His handler, whose name Miller declined to release because of …

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K9 Bella – Maryland Correctional

Died – 4/15/15 K9 dies in vehicle fire K9 Bella died in a vehicle fire while being transported to the Western Correctional Institute in Cresaptown, Maryland. Two handlers were taking Bella and a second canine to the facility when their department vehicle caught fire as they drove along I-68, near 15 Mile Creek, in Flintstone, Maryland. The officers were able …

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K9 Aron – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Handler: Sgt. Coy Gilbert OKC Retired K-9 Passes Away A retired canine with the Oklahoma City Police Department passed away this week. Aron joined the Oklahoma City Police Department in the fall of 2003. He was assigned to his partner, Sergeant Coy Gilbert. Over a span of almost nine years, Aron had 119 apprehensions. That includes an assault with a …

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K9 Akeel – Special Forces Service

Ship’s Owner, Costa Crociere Special Forces Service K9 AFRICA Akeel, the brave Tunisian special forces dog killed in gun siege The body of a police dog killed at the Tunisian museum attack on Wednesday was given a standing ovation as its body was carried from the scene. Akeel, a special forces service dog, was killed during the cross fire between …

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