K9 Loki – New Bern, North Carolina

New Bern K-9 officer dies after weekend seizure

Members of one Eastern Carolina police department are mourning the sudden loss of one of their K-9 officers. Loki, a Dutch Shepherd, served with the New Bern Police Department for the past 7-1/2 years.The 9-year-old suffered a seizure stemming from undiagnosed cancer on Sunday and passed away. During his career, the department says Loki seized approximately four kilos of illegal drugs, was involved in some 88 arrests, located 18 firearms, and led to the seizure of over $64,000. “We are keeping K-9 Loki’s family in our thoughts and prayers,” said Chief Pat Gallagher. “K-9 Loki served tirelessly alongside the men and women of our department.” The chief said he was a success story from the moment he joined the department and will be missed.

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.