K9 Coda – Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania

Died 5/14/18
Handler – Officer Mike Middleton

Retired Tredyffrin Police K9 Passes On At 14 Years Old

The Tredyffrin Police Department is full of heavy hearts as one of its former K9 officers has passed on. The department said Wednesday that retired K9 Officer Coda died on May 14 at 14 years old. Coda was partnered with Officer Mike Middleton and lived out the rest of his days with Middletown and his family. “Coda will always be remembered as an outstanding K-9 Officer, partner and friend,” the department wrote on its Facebook page. “We’ll miss you, Coda – thanks for always being a good boy.” The department said Code joined the force in 2005 and retired in 2009 to live with the Middletons. He trained at the Philadelphia Police Department K-9 Academy and later earned a certification in explosive detection from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, police said. While with TTPD, he participated in community demonstrations, helped protect two presidents during visits to the area, and worked with local, state, and federal agencies. Rest in peace, Coda.

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.