K9 Niko – Richmond, Virginia

Handler – Officer Sammy Hernandez

Retired Richmond Police K-9 passes away

We share the sad news that retired K-9 Niko has passed away due to an illness. K-9 Niko was the dedicated partner of K-9 Officer Sammy Hernandez for seven years until Niko retired in 2016. Niko’s career was filled with success – which included the very last working dog call – when Niko apprehended the suspect who had just shot an RPD officer. Niko was happily living in retirement with an RPD sergeant during last year’s reunion with Officer Hernandez at the graduation of K-9 Murphy. You can see the affectionate reunion in the photos – and the dedicated service from their partnership in the photo. Niko’s name will be added to the memorial stone at the Canine Training and Community Complex.

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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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