K9 Vert – Schenectady, New York

Handler – Officer Sean Clifford

SPD announces the passing of retired police K9 Vert

The Schenectady Police Department (SPD) announced on Facebook the passing of Vert, a retired police K9 who had worked with the Department. The Department says Vert was born on December 20, 2007 and began his career in 2009. Vert worked with partner Ptl. Sean Clifford until his retirement in 2017. After Vert retired, he was said to have spent his time as a loyal family pet as part of the Clifford household. Vert was reportedly named in honor of Ptl. Eric Verteramo #91 who tragically passed away in the line of duty on April 11, 2004.The Department says Vert served the City of Schenectady with honor much like Ptl. Eric Verteramo had done during his own career. Vert had reportedly conducted hundreds of tracks, like in September 2010, when he tracked a suspect from the clubhouse at Stadium Golf Course to a pine tree 300 yards away where he was hiding after reportedly committing a burglary. The Department says Vert’s most notable victory was when he located James Hilton in 2015, who was found hiding inside a dumpster after his violent assault of Ptl. Mark Weekes. The Department says Vert was one of a kind and a beloved member of the Schenectady Police Department family. He was described as friendly, and loved the human food he was given, and apparently shed more than any dog in the world, especially on the officer’s navy blue uniforms. The Department says they would not have it any other way though and Vert will be greatly missed. They go on to say they wish they could keep him here forever with them, but that it is okay to rest now in heaven. Vert is credited by the Department for always keeping them safe and is thanked for his service.

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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.
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