K9 Dani – Downey, California

Died 7/15/19
Handler – Corporal Ed Hano

Police mourns death of canine Dani

The Downey Police Department on Wednesday announced the death of police canine Dani, a 5-year-veteran of the agency. Below is the statement released by the department: “It is with a heavy heart that the Downey Police Department would like to announce that K9 Dani passed away on Monday, July 15, 2019 due to medical complications she had been fighting for the past two months. Our deepest condolences go out to her handler, Corporal Ed Hano, and his family. During the 5 years of her career as a Downey Police K9, Dani and Corporal Hano took hundreds of pounds of narcotics off the street and many arrests were made on behalf of her excellent work. “K9 Dani was laid to rest with the supporting presence of Corporal Ed Hano and his family. As Officer Hano recently wrote, “it was a match made in heaven”. “She was a phenomenal partner and protector. She filled his family and him with joy and happiness during the 5 years of their partnership. She will truly be missed. Thanks to the Friends of Downey Police K9 Foundation for the support given to Corporal Hano and his family.”

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.