K9 Neo – Apopka, Florida

Handler – Officer Paul Rehn

Retired Apopka Police Department K-9 Neo passed this week after a long life of service to the community, the police department announced in a Friday, October 27, press release. Neo, an energetic and dedicated Belgian Malinois, joined the force as a 16-month-old pup in 2004. He spent a 10-year career with Apopka police Officer Paul Rehn before retiring from duty in 2014. Afterward, Rehn adopted the canine and cared for him as a family pet until his death on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Rehn retired in 2016. During his service to the Apopka Police Department, Neo was instrumental in apprehending countless burglary, robbery, and other violent felony suspects. When Neo and Officer Rehn arrived on crime scenes, fellow officers were confident in a successful outcome. Neo was adeptly trained to find illicit narcotics. He is credited with notable drug busts, including the discovery to 8 kilograms, or more than 17 pounds, of heroin on an airplane in a joint investigation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Neo located 408 pounds of marijuana in a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and also discovered 2,800 pounds of marijuana in another local case. Neo loved being out in the public, providing demonstrations at local schools, churches, and community events within the city of Apopka. He will be forever remembered and cherished as an honored member of the Apopka Police Department.

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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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