K9 Duke – Menlo, California

Died 2/10/25
Handler – Sergeant Soares

We are sad to report the passing of retired Police K9, Duke, yesterday. Sergeant Soares worked with his canine partner Duke since he was six months old. They worked in the department from June 2016 to February 2022. Duke was a European Doberman born on March 18, 2015 in San Jose, California. Duke was awarded the inaugural “K-9 Flash Legacy Award” from PK9HERO, during the K-9 Hero Awards. K-9 Duke starred in the movie the “Walking Point” as a faithful Marine War Dog during WW2. Competed on America’s Top Dog, in the U.S. Canine Biathlon, and is a National Ambassador for Eukanuba. Duke was certified through the CNCA for the detection of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. Duke was incorporated into The Menlo Park Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and is deployed during traffic enforcement stops, parole/probation searches and narcotic search warrants throughout the County of San Mateo. One time after the execution of a narcotic search warrant, Duke was utilized to search the residence and alerted on a suitcase deep within a bedroom closet. When the suitcase was removed and opened to reveal the contents we located over six pounds of crystal meth.During the execution of another search warrant, Duke alerted on a cabinet in a bedroom that contained several boxes which appeared to belong to a child. Once the boxes were opened we located $100,000 in U.S. currency. The money was seized from the suspect as proceeds from narcotic trafficking. Duke is also utilized at the United States Postal Service and other shipping and receiving companies around San Mateo County.He attended hundreds of school functions, classroom visits, community outings and hospitals where he meets and greets young children and the citizens we serve. Our favorite outreach is the time we spend at hospitals meeting with patients who are extremely ill and bedridden. Bringing smiles to their faces, making them laugh and forget for a moment, ever so slightly, the situation they are in. In December of 2017, Duke was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in Orlando Florida during the last evening of the AKC National Dog Show. He was given the title of AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellent Uniformed Service K9 for 2017. He was also the official mascot for the Doberman Pincher Club of America (DPCA). Both Duke and Sergeant Soares’s contributions to the community are greatly appreciated. Duke will be missed, yet remembered by those who served with him!

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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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