K9 Denzel – Richland County, South Carolina

Died 7/22/21

Handler – Sgt. James Abraham 

Richland County Sheriff’s Department mourns the death of one of its K9 deputies

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department mourned the death of one its K9 deputies Thursday. “Our hearts are heavy as we announce that K9 Denzel has crossed the Rainbow Bridge after developing medical issues,” the sheriff’s department said. Information on the dog’s specific medical issues were not available. Denzel was a 7-year-old Dutch Sheppard. Denzel was a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, where he was partnered with Sgt. James Abraham since 2016. Abraham was Denzel’s only handler, Sgt. Brittany Hart told The State. It’s expected the sheriff’s department will look to replace Denzel with a new K9. There was no word on how long that process might take. Denzel’s death elicited reactions from inside the department and across the community. “RIP Denzel! You were an amazing partner to Sgt. Abraham and when it wasn’t go time, loved your loving,” sheriff’s department investigator Chris Mastrianni tweeted. “Say hello to Bono for your dad and rest easy little buddy.”

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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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