K9 Vando – Franklin County, Ohio

Handler – Sgt. Aaron Heflin
Died – 4/19/21

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is heartbroken to share the unexpected loss of active duty K9 Vando following a medical emergency Monday evening. He served as the loyal partner of Sgt. Aaron Heflin since 2013 and was soon to retire. As you will see in this video, Vando was always smiling, but he took his job seriously. Vando served as a dual purpose explosive detection/patrol K9. He assisted in countless bomb sweeps, provided security for dignitaries, and assisted in multiple tracks leading to the arrests of violent felons. Most recently, Vando took the credit for capturing a suspect in a shooting. Vando’s list of accomplishments is long, but we will remember his amazing, big heart and loving personality. Please join the FCSO in extending sympathy and support to Sgt. Heflin and his family.

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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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