K9 Bak – MARTA Police, Georgia

K9 officer laid to rest in touching procession of other dogs

In a touching tribute caught on video, K9 officers and their handlers stood at attention during a funeral procession for a K9 named Bak. Bak was a member of the MARTA Police Department for 8 years. He began his career in 2008 and was partnered with Officer Hemingway for his entire career. He covered major Atlanta events during his time on duty, including the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and the NFL Super Bowl in 2016. “K9 Bak was always ready to work and could always be dependable to finish strong during a search,” Sgt. Raymond Simms said. “K9 Bak was a friend, a partner, a defender of his handler and his country. Officer Hemingway was his life, his love, his leader. He was faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.” A full honor service was held for Bak on Wednesday. That service included a send off where K9 officers stood at attention as Bak’s flag-covered coffin passed between their lines. Bak was laid to rest in the Oak Rest Gardens in Gwinnett County, alongside more than 50 other K9 officers. Bak died due to medical complications unrelated to his work with MARTA police.

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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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