K9 Bella – Newton County, Arkansas

Died – 3/18/21

Handler – Officer Adam Sirmons 

Newton County Sheriff announces death of deputy K-9

The Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler announced the death of a deputy K-9 on Friday, March 19. Newton County K-9 Bella was killed in a non-work-related accident on Thursday, March 18. “We work with our K-9 partners very closely and they face a lot of risks and give their all for a job they love and are bred to do,” said Sheriff Wheeler. “Our handler, Adam Sirmons, and his family are devastated at her loss and so is my agency. Bella was one of us.” Sheriff Wheeler said his agency, the Sirmons family, and other law enforcement agencies will have a semi-private gathering to honor Bella in the near future.

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.