K9 Ben – Granbury, Texas

Handler – Officer Hastings

“It is with a heavy heart that the Granbury Police Department announces the passing of Narcotics K9 Ben. Ben served our community along with his handler, Officer Hastings, from 2012-2019. During that time Ben was assigned to the Granbury Independent School District. “Ben quickly became the unofficial school mascot and could always be found among crowds of kids who loved petting him and throwing his Kong for a game of fetch. Ben retired from law enforcement in 2019 and has spent the last two years being a regular dog, with plenty of time spent playing in the swimming pool. “Ben, the Granbury Police Department thanks you for your service to our community. Rest easy buddy, we will take it from here.”

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.