K9 Nico – Pinal County, Arizona


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Died 2/24/21
Handler – Deputy Kenneth Nardelli

PSCO say goodbye to K9 Nico

We are heartbroken tonight at the loss of one our own PSCO Family members. We are heartbroken as we say goodbye to K9 Nico, a 6.5-year-old Belgian Malinois with nearly 5 years of service with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. While awaiting biopsies to determine malignancy of masses identified his lungs and other organs, K9 Nico’s health declined. This morning, veterinarians identified his status as being “without a chance of recovery.” K9 Niko was humanely euthanized with his handler at his side. Nico was an exceptional partner and a skilled drug dog. Over his career, he was responsible for taking hundreds of pounds of illegal substances off the streets. Nico always did a great job representing the agency, and loved showing off his skills for an audience during community events. K9 Nico was an amazing dog and will be missed. Thank you for your service, K9 Nico.

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.