K9 Rambo – Asheville, North Carolina

Handler – Officer Liz Rice

K-9 Rambo dies due to cancer in Asheville

Today, we are saddened by the loss of K-9 Rambo, who passed away. Rambo was a 7-year-old German Shepherd who had actively served with APD since 2018. Rambo and Senior Police Officer Liz Rice have been partners since 2018. Sadly, Rambo was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that ended his life prematurely.During his exceptional career with the APD, Rambo assisted with innumerable weapons, explosives sweeps for area schools, dignitary visits, and any other instance where his skills could be counted upon. His primary job was to detect explosive device odors. He was also trained to track suspects and missing persons. Rambo was also certified through the United States Police Canine Association and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Our community is undoubtedly safer due to Rambo’s dedication to the mission, and we will miss him greatly. K-9 “Rambo” – R.I.P.

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.