K9 NERO – Graham, North Carolina

Died – 2/11/16
Handler – Officer Robert Lovett

Graham police dog, ‘Nero’, dies after 10 years of service

A police dog that spent about 10 years with the Graham Police Department before retiring in 2013 died on Thursday. Robert Lovett, now with the Elon Police Department, got Nero when the dog was 2 or 3 years old. Nero is the only K-9 that Lovett has had. “It’s amazing the bond you get with these dogs,” Lovett said, referring to Nero. “There isn’t a person out there who doesn’t like a police dog.” Nero has been credited with finding $1 million in actual currency, numerous drug busts and tracking down a suspect in the woods who ran from officers. The dog had an issue with his spleen which caused fluid buildup throughout his body, causing his death. “Your family pet becomes such a part of the family, but this was more. He watched out for me. He had my back,” Lovett said.

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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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