K9 Duke – Newport News, Virginia

Died – 1/25/17
Handler – Officer N. Stewart

Newport News police mourning loss of K-9 Duke

Newport News police are mourning the loss of one of the department’s K-9 officers. K-9 Duke died after a sudden medical emergency Wednesday, Chief Richards Myers said at a press briefing Thursday morning. The Bloodhound was adopted from the Animal Aid Society in Grafton in October 2013. He specialized in tracking missing people, Myers said. Police aren’t exactly sure how old Duke was, but think he was about 8 or 9 years old. Duke loved meeting people, especially children. “His greatest joy was public demonstrations,” Myers said. Duke and his partner, Master Police Officer N. Stewart, assisted in many searches and trained together weekly. Myers said the loss is especially difficult for Stewart and other members of the K-9 unit. “They’re all struggling today for this unexpected loss,” he said. Officials are not sure if they will hold a memorial service for Duke, spokeswoman Jamie Bastas said in a news release. “We are still adjusting to his sudden passing and hope to make a decision on that in the coming days,” she said. “In the meantime, we ask that you please keep his partner, Master Police Officer Stewart and the Stewart family in your thoughts, as well as the entire Newport News Police K-9 Unit.”

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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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