K9 Bella – West Virginia University

Handler – Lt. Joshua Cook

WVU Police Department Says Goodbye to Beloved K-9

The West Virginia University Police Department said goodbye to a beloved Golden Retriever named Bella. Bella served as an explosive detection K-9 and passed away after battling cancer. Bella joined the WVU Police Department when she was two years old and has worked in schools, sports facilities, airports and more. When former president Bill Clinton visited Morgantown to speak to students, Bella ensured his safety. Bella received multiple awards, including a national ACE award. She was the face of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign on WVU’s campus. It was started by her handler and partner, Lt. Joshua Cook. When Bella wasn’t working, she enjoyed playing with tennis balls and other four-legged friends, including her friend Ginger. Bella will be missed by her family, co-workers and the WVU community. The WVU Police Department said that she has truly made an impact on their lives and left paw prints on their hearts.

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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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