K9 JoJo – MWD – U.S. Navy

Died – 7/14/20 MWD JOJO V299 (Retired)
Handler – Christopher Torrez

On July 14, 2020, at approximately 1345 hours, RMWD JOJO (V299) passed away in my arms. JOJO was my partner and loyalest friend. He taught me the fundamentals of what it takes to be apart of a K9 team. After 8 years serving in the US Navy as a Military Working Dog, (3 of those years as partners) we adopted him into our family. He experienced what it was like just to be a dog. Lounge by the pool, relax on the deck, get loving hugs, play with other dogs, watch over the chickens, and most importantly, to be loved as a family dog. For everyone who knew him I want to thank you for your loving support and friendship. JOJO will always be apart of our hearts now and forever. K9 LEADS THE WAY .JOJO passed away underneath one of his favorite trees; the pomegranate tree. Pomegranates are known to be a fruit of paradise. There is one seed of paradise in every pomegranate. We know that JOJO is now Resting and running in paradise, and we will remember him every time we see the beauty of our pomegranate tree.

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.