K9 Bijou – Massachusetts State Police

Handler – State Trooper Patrick Clayton

Massachusetts State Police mourn passing of K-9 ‘Bijou’

“Earlier today, K9 Bijou passed away surrounded by her family. Bijou came to the Massachusetts State Police from Guiding Eyes for the Blind on January 27, 2017. She retired from the MSP on October 22, 2023.While with the State Police, she worked as an accelerant detection K9 for the Fire and Explosion Investigation Section. During her time as a member of that office, she responded to hundreds of fires.Bijou’s hard work and dedication to her duty resulted in multiple arson arrests. She also impacted the lives of many people as a great companion and friend to everyone she met. Bijou touched the lives of many, and we thank her for her dedicated service. She will be greatly missed. Bijou was born May 5, 2015. She turned nine years old in May. Free time Bijou, Rest in peace.”

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.