K9 Blaze – Windsor, Connecticut

Died – 12/27/20
Handler – Officer Devin Saylor

CPWDA is sad to announce the passing of K9 Blaze on 12/27/20 due to bloat. K9 Blazed served with the New Britain Police Department from 2012-2016 and then with the Windsor Police Department from 2016-2020 with his handler, Officer Devin Saylor. K9 Blaze was certified in Patrol & Narcotics and was 9 years old when he passed away. Officer Saylor and K9 Blaze were Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Lifetime members joining on 8/4/12 and members from 2012 and 2020. We thank you K9 Blaze for your service to the communities you served. Please keep Officer Devin Saylor , New Britain Police Department and Windsor Police Department and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. R.I.P. Blaze.

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.