K9 Bikkel – Norristown, Pennsylvania

Died 12/29/22
Handler – Deputy Sean Forsyth

Montgomery County officials honor memory of sheriff’s office K-9 Bikkel

It was standing room only for the start of Thursday morning’s Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting as deputies gathered to mourn the loss of K-9 Bikkel.The 10-year-old explosives and patrol K-9 officer died of an age-related illness on Dec. 29, 2022, according to a spokesperson from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.“This was not just the loss of a K-9, this was a loss of part of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office family, and part of the greater Montgomery County law enforcement community,” said Sheriff Sean Kilkenny.His partner, Deputy Sean Forsyth, held back tears as he addressed Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. and Commissioner Joe Gale.“This is a really tough time for me,” Forsyth said.The Belgian Malinois was born in the Netherlands and trained in explosive protection and patrol capabilities before getting partnered up with Forsyth in 2013. Bikkel was certified by the Professional Law Enforcement Canine Training and Certifying and was the “only bomb sniffing K-9 in Montgomery County,” Kilkenny said.Bikkel received an award in car, room and overall explosive detection from the U.S. Police Canine Association, according to Kilkenny.Forsyth described Bikkel as “his first kid” and the law enforcement dog became part of his own family. Forsyth’s wife was seen in the crowd sniffling and using a tissue as tears streamed down her face.He thanked fellow officers for rallying around him. Lawrence and Gale each expressed their condolences. Lawrence called for a moment of silence to honor Bikkel and his memory.Gale agreed, adding that Bikkel showed “unconditional discipline and service” to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Lawrence added, “Deputy Forsyth, we’re truly sorry for your loss, and I know that it’s a personal loss,” Lawrence 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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