K9 Koda – Vacaville, California

Died 7/23/15
Handler – Officer Kelli Gottlieb

Line Of Officers Salutes Retired Vacaville Police K9 Before His Final Stop

A retired police K9 was given one last honor before he was euthanized Thursday. “Koda” served with the Vacaville Police Department for eight years before retiring. The department says Koda had been battling cancer recently and his health took a turn for the worst. Due to Koda’s deteriorating condition, the decision was made to euthanize him. When Officer Kelli Gottlieb – Koda’s partner when he was in the force – showed up with Koda at the Sacramento vet’s office Thursday for the trip to Rainbow Bridge, the two were greeted by other K9 officers from around the region. As seen in photos posted by Vacaville Police to their Facebook page, the other K9 officers formed two lines and saluted Koda before he entered the office.“Our heart breaks for Officer Kelli Gottlieb during this difficult time. Please keep her in your thoughts,” Vacaville Police wrote. “Koda was such a huge part of the Vacaville PD family. He was loved and will truly be missed.”

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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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