K9 TP – Garfield, Oklahoma

1st Handler – Sergeant Reim
2nd Handler – Deputy Nichols

Sheriff’s office reports retired K9’s death

It is with a heavy heart that the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of retired K9 TP. K9 TP joined our agency in 2016 and was originally partnered with Sergeant Reim before becoming partnered with Deputy Nichols a few years later. K9 TP was trained as a single purpose patrol K9, and participated in multiple tracks, article searches, and was trained in handler protection. At the end of 2023, after serving Garfield County for 7 years, K9 TP retired to live with Deputy Nichols and his family. Rest in peace, K9 TP. We will never forget your service to the citizens of Garfield County.

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.