K9 Vaio – Tyler, Texas

Died – 6/8/18

1st Handler – Officer Phil Johnson
2nd Handler – Deputy Josh Hill

Former Tyler K-9 officer laid to rest
Vaio, a retired Tyler Police K-9 officer, passed away Friday morning. The former officer served with Tyler Police for a decade, beginning in 2006. His first partner was Phil Johnson. In 2010, Vaio was partnered with current Smith County Deputy Josh Hill, who served with TPD until a few years ago. Upon the Labrador’s retirement, he was gifted to Deputy Hill. Hill and his family had to make the tough choice to let Vaio go Friday, due to failing health over the past few months. Law enforcement officials held a short ceremony for Vaio before escorting him back home to his final resting place.

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.