K9 Rento – Henderson, North Carolina

Handler – Deputy Jerad McFalls

Beloved Sheriff’s Office K-9 dies from cancer

On June 23, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office made a post on its Facebook page, saying goodbye to one of its beloved K-9s who served both in Henderson County and Polk County for eight years. “Heartbroken to announce the passing of a true hero, K-9 Rento,” the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post said. “Today, we bid farewell to a courageous law enforcement K-9 who valiantly served both the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that K-9 Rento lost his battle against an aggressive form of cancer.”Rento, whose handler at the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office was Deputy Jerad McFalls, was a Dutch shepherd who served both Henderson and Polk counties from 2015-22. “Rento fearlessly patrolled our streets, worked countless cases and protected our communities. He was an integral part of our law enforcement family, a loyal companion, and an exceptional partner to his handler. Rento’s dedication and unwavering commitment to his duties earned him respect and admiration from all who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the Sheriff’s Office’s post said. “Throughout his career, K-9 Rento exemplified the true spirit of a hero. His exceptional sense of smell, agility, and intelligence were instrumental in locating suspects, detecting illicit substances and ensuring public safety. Rento’s remarkable work made a significant impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire future K-9 units.” The Sheriff’s Office said that Rento touched the lives of many, both inside and outside law enforcement.”He brought joy and comfort to the community, participated in public demonstrations and left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who had the pleasure of meeting him. His wagging tail and friendly nature will forever be remembered,” the post said. “Today, as we mourn the loss of our beloved K-9 partner, let us honor K-9 Rento’s memory by acknowledging his dedicated service and unwavering bravery. We extend our deepest sympathies to Rento’s handler and the entire law enforcement community who had the privilege of working alongside him. May we find solace in knowing that K-9 Rento’s spirit will live on, reminding us of the importance of selflessness and the bond between humans and their four-legged partners.” The Facebook post ended with “Rest in peace, dear Rento. Thank you for your service, loyalty, and the countless lives you touched. You will never be forgotten.”

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.