K9 Arlo – Garfield Heights, Ohio


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Died – 4/29/22
Handler – Deputy Chief Merchant

Former Garfield Heights Police Department K-9, Arlo, passes away

The Garfield Heights Police Department announced the death of former K-9 Arlo on April 29. The K-9 was trained as “dual-purpose” in patrol and narcotics Arlo served at the department for just over 9 years starting on December 14, 2012 all the way until his retirement on February 11, 2022. He worked alongside his partner, Deputy Chief Merchant, and was responsible for over 100 arrests involving tracking, building searches, narcotics detection and evidence recovery. He was active in the Garfield Heights community visiting schools, ward meetings and other public events. He gained fame after a picture of him being sworn in with his paw placed upon a Bible ended up being used on the cover of a book titled “K-9s in the Courtroom” In a statement released by the Garfield Heights PD on their Facebook page, they paid tribute to their late friend and colleague: “Arlo loved coming to work and being with his coworkers as they worked together to get the bad guys off the streets. K-9 Arlo will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in Peace K-9 Arlo, you served your community well.”

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.