K9 Ruger – Manheim Township, Pennsylvania

Died 12/21/18
Handler – Det. Lee Billiter

Manheim Township Police announced the passing of K9 Ruger

Early Friday afternoon, Manheim Township Police announced that Ruger, the department’s first K-9 officer, had the end of watch. Ruger specialized in patrol, narcotics detection, and tracking with the Manheim Township Police Department, where he served for nine years after becoming the department’s first K-9 officer in 2008. Members of the Manheim Township Police Department gathered at the Neffsville Veterinary Clinic to say their final goodbyes to Ruger, who retired from duty in 2017 and spent his final years with his handler, Det. Lee Billiter, and his family. “Ruger was a loyal officer who served the community well during his watch,” said Manheim Township Police Chief Thomas Rudzinski. “He was loved by the employees and the many people that he met. He will be missed.”

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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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