K9 Charlie – Peekskill, New York

Died 1/6/24
Handler – Officer Anthony Nappi

Peekskill Police Department Mourns the Loss of Venerated K9 Charlie

Peekskill Police Department is in mourning following the tragic loss of their K9 Charlie, marking the first death of an active duty police dog in over 20 years. Charlie, a German Shepherd, succumbed to injuries sustained in an undisclosed accident on January 6th. His passing has left a profound vacuum in the department, with his colleagues grappling with the loss of a beloved team member.Charlie joined the Peekskill Police force in 2017, marking the first time a K9 had been in active service after a hiatus of two decades. From the onset, Charlie was celebrated for his sharp multidisciplinary skills, proving instrumental in a gamut of assignments ranging from tracking to evidence recovery.Paired with Officer Anthony Nappi, Charlie found an equally dedicated partner. Their synergy was undeniable, with the duo earning a reputation as an effective and unstoppable team. Their collective effort not only solved cases but also ensured the safety of fellow officers, cementing Charlie’s invaluable role within the team.As the Peekskill Police Department grapples with the loss, they have acknowledged Charlie’s significant impact, asking the community for support during this challenging time. A tribute to Charlie goes beyond mere words, expressing love and gratitude for his service and sacrifice. The Nappi family and the police department mourn Charlie’s loss, a testament to the bond between a K9 and his human counterparts.

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.