K9 Rony – West Des Moines, Iowa

Died – 12/7/16
Handler – Officer Brent Kock

West Des Moines Police Department says K-9 dies

It is with many, very heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Officer Rony, the West Des Moines K-9 Police Dog. Rony started his career with the West Des Moines Police Department back in 2004. He was deployed over 900 times during his career. After retiring from the force in 2012, Rony spent his remaining years at home with Officer Brent Kock and his family. In 2013 Rony was honored for his service with an induction into the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame. Rony’s life accomplishments including the many lives he touched is simply immeasurable. Rony’s continuous hard work, loyalty to the community, dedication to the West Des Moines Police Department, and endless successes will never be forgotten. Our thoughts go out the the Kock family as well as the West Des Moines Police Department in this time of great loss.

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.