K9 Bronson – Akron, Ohio

Died – 9/25/15
Handler – Officer Jeff Edsall

Akron Police Department mourns loss of beloved K9

The Akron Police Department announced the loss of a beloved K9. The K9, Bronson, died from a hemangiosarcoma tumor on his liver. He passed away in his sleep Friday morning. Bronson was a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois. He joined the department in June 2010. He was trained for patrol work and narcotic detection. He worked closely with Officer Jeff Edsall. Bronson is credited with helping bring several violent criminals to justice, including the Nov. 2014 arrest of Kenan Ivery. Ivery is accused of shooting and killing Akron Police Officer Justin Winebrenner. Bronson helped detect Ivery and lead police to his location. Outside of the job, Bronson enjoyed visiting school children. Many kids carry Bronson’s K9 trading card. The police department called Bronson one of its most popular K9s. In 2013, Bronson and Officer Edsall were selected to be on the cover of K9 Cop Magazine. The department will honor Bronson by adding his name to a memorial plaque at the FOP Lodge.

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.