K9 Leo – New Mexico State Police

Died – 2/8/25

New Mexico State Police mourns Las Cruces K-9 hero Leo who died of cancer

The New Mexico State Police in Las Cruces mourns the death of a hero K-9 officer.According to the New Mexico State Police, K-9 officer Leo died Saturday after he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer in the Summer of 2024.On Nov. 14, Leo was retired after three years of service.NMSP said that during his tenure patrolling the southern border of New Mexico with his handler, Leo seized:
• 20 kilograms of fentanyl
• 67 kg. of methamphetamines
• 50 kg. of cocaine
• Eight kg. of heroin
In their social media post, NMSP wrote:
K-9 Leo was more than a working dog, he was a beloved partner and a hero in the community he served. The impact he had in keeping New Mexicans safe will never be forgotten. His handler agreed to care for him and keep their loving bond until K-9 Leo’s final breath.Leo will be laid to rest in Las Cruces.

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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.
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