K9 Chief – West Valley City, Utah


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Handler – Sgt. Beardshall

WVCPD mourns retired K-9 Chief

The West Valley City Police Department has announced the death of retired K-9 officer Chief, who worked as a tracking dog for the department from 2013 to 2019.“Our hearts are a little heavier today with the passing of retired police K-9 Chief,” says a WVCPD social media post issued Tuesday afternoon.“He had more than 50 criminal apprehensions and found many lost children and runaways during his working days.”Chief was beloved, the post says.“He was a favorite at department events due to his gentle nature & never turned down a head pat or hug. Chief lived out his retirement with his handler, Sgt. Beardshall & his family. He kept himself busy being good boys with his best buddy, Chuck the West Highland Terrier.”Chief had a favorite sleeping spot, the post says.“Chief took plenty of naps on the trampoline, which he thought was a giant dog bed.“Sadly, a sudden medical complication cut his days short. He will be missed terribly. Our thoughts are with the Beardshalls who loved Chief & made his life after police work a life well lived.”

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.