K9 Blade – Edina, Minnesota

Died – 5/15/17
Handler – Officer Jason Behr

Edina K9 Blade dies from cancer

A beloved K9 with the Edina Police Department has died, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. The K9, named Blade, died Monday, May 15 after working with his partner Officer Jason Behr for more than seven years. Blade was born in Slovakia and was partnered with Behr in 2010, when he was just an 18-month-old pup. Together, the two apprehended more than 75 suspects and made more than 150 narcotic searches and 100 building searches. “As Blade’s family, know that there was nothing more he enjoyed than protecting you and me,” Officer Behr told the Edina Police Department, in a news release. Blade and Behr competed in the 2014 National Detector Do Trials in Edina, placing third overall. “It’s amazing the impact that a four-legged animal can have on you — especially one that you spend most of your waking hours with,” said Behr. “Blade was both my partner and my best friend. He was my protector and my companion. His passing creates a void that will never be filled.” Edina Police will install a bronze K9 sculpture this fall outside the department, to pay tribute to Blade, and all other K9s and service dogs that have died.

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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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