K9 Max – Russell, Kansas


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Died 6/29/22

California K9 ‘Max’ laid to rest in Kansas

A police dog from California with seven years of experience in law enforcement was laid to rest in Russell, Kansas. Max. (Photo Courtesy/Russell Police Department)The Russell Police Department and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office had the “distinct honor” of escorting the retired K9 known as Max for his last ride on June 29. With his health failing, the decision was made to have Max euthanized.Max came to Kansas after previously serving with the Oceanside, California Police Department for seven years. When he entered retirement, he was adopted by Josh and Sydnie Nickerson in Russell.We have no doubt Max was as good a police K9 as he was a pet to Josh and Sydnie. We extend them our sympathy as losing pets is never easy. K9 police dogs usually work for ten years before eventually retiring, according to the Kansas City Police Department. Retired K9s usually spend the rest of their lives with the handler they worked with on the force.Rest easy, big fella.

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.