K9 Magnum – New Haven, Connecticut

Died – 12/29/22
Handler – Officer Joseph Staffieri

The Connecticut Police Work Dog Association (CPWDA) is sad to announce the passing of in service K9 Magnum. K9 Magnum passed away on 12/29/22 who was partnered with Officer Joseph Staffieri with the New Haven Police Department. K9 Magnum served the town of New Haven for 7.5 years and was certified in Patrol and Narcotics. K9 Magnum won the 2019 CPWDA K9 Detection Award Upon assisting with the execution of a Search and Seizure Warrant, K9 Magnum located and indicated to an area of a Bathroom floor that revealed a hidden floor trap that would not have been located without the assistance of K9 Magnum. Officer Staffieri and K9 Magnum joined the C.P.W.D.A. on 4/29/15 and were Lifetime Members from 2015 until his passing. CPWDA sends our thoughts and prayers to Officer Staffieri, his family, and the entire New Haven Police Department & friends during this difficult time. K9 Magnum, we will miss you and we thank you for your fearless service to the City of New Haven. K9 Magnum R.I.P.

K9 Magnum’s accomplishments:

K9 Dream Ride Challenge, 3rd Place overall
*2019 CPWDA K9 Detection Award
*2019 K9 Dream Ride Challenge, 2nd Place overall
*2019 K9 Dream Ride Challenge, 1st Place Narcotic Detection.
*2021 K9 Dream Ride Challenge, 1st Place Obstacles

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.