K9 Copper – St. Marys, Pennsylvania

St. Marys police officers, community say goodbye to K9 Officer Copper

The St. Marys Police Department and Elk County community has said goodbye to a special, four-legged fellow officer. Copper, a 12-year-old German Shepherd, served St. Marys, all of Elk County and surrounding communities from 2009-2016. “K9 Copper was an invaluable asset to St. Marys and Elk County,” said Chief Tom Nicklas. “His abilities allowed officers to further their drug investigations by adding important evidence to prosecutions.” K9 officers have become an essential part of police departments and search teams throughout the country, helping assist in drug, criminal activity and missing persons cases. More than that, though, they become family members to their handlers and fellow police officers, along with their fans in the community. “Copper was also very popular with kids,” Nicklas said. “He will be missed.” Copper helped to locate suspects and people who were considered endangered and missing. He was also loyal to his handler, Sergeant Mike Shaffer, and always protected him. Copper was not only a brother to K9 Officer Nando, but a member of Shaffer’s family. “Copper was vital in assisting in the detection of illegal drugs that have such a pervasive impact on criminal activities,” said the department’s Facebook post. “K9 Copper acted as an ambassador to the City of St. Marys Police Department through many public appearances at entities of all types. “The officers are grateful for the capability and service of K9 Officer Copper.”

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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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