K9 Bullet – Barnegat, New Jersey

Died 1/10/20
Handler – Officer Rob Armstrong

Community Mourns Passing Of K9 Bullet

Barnegat Police recently honored the passing of one of their own, K9 Bullet, with an End of Watch ceremony. The department, along with Whiting Veterinary Clinic staff, said goodbye to K9 Bullet at the clinic on Jan. 10, 2020. “It was a solemn day with multiple police department’s Officers and K9’s in attendance at Whiting Veterinary honoring Bullet and showing support for Officer Armstrong,” wrote Dr. Lisa Schorr of Whiting Veterinary in a post to their social media. K9 Bullet was a Belgian Malinois, a high-energy breed similar to a German Shepard. Bullet came to Barnegat from Holland, where he was raised and received his initial obedience training. Alongside Barnegat Officer Rob Armstrong, Bullet began patrol, narcotics detection and human tracking training in 2009. “Bullet had an extremely successful career locating illegal drugs and illegal drug proceeds, searching for fleeing suspects and lost seniors and of course his highest priority providing physical protection for his handler Officer Armstrong and fellow officers,” wrote Dr. Schorr. “Another important duty he loved was community policing, performing demonstrations of his K9 skills at community events for entertainment and education of the public.” When he wasn’t sniffing out drugs or protecting Barnegat’s police force, Bullet lived at home with Officer Armstrong and his family. After more than 10 years of dedicated service to his department, Bullet was honored with an End of Watch just like his fellow officers would receive. “It has been an honor and a privilege to provide veterinary care for Bullet from the day that Officer Armstrong introduced himself and Bullet to me with Bullet’s leash in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. What a pleasure it was to witness Bullet’s skills demonstrated at our annual Open House events, in fact Bullet’s first attendance at our Open House was the very day after completion of Police K9 Training and his first day of patrol duty!” wrote Dr. Schorr. “I am honored to know Rob Armstrong and honored to have known Bullet.” The Barnegat community mourned the passing of Bullet by sharing Dr. Schorr’s heartfelt post across social media, extending their condolences to the Barnegat Police and saying goodbye to K9 Bullet.

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.