K9 Aki – Middletown, Ohio

Handler – Officer Caito

‘Rest easy good boy;’ Middletown police mourns loss of retired K9

Middletown Division of Police has announced the passing of a retired K9 that served them for several years. Sunday afternoon the department announced the passing of K9 Aki who served them from 2013-2019, according to a social media post. During his career, Aki and his officer Caito assisted in locating and seizing narcotics as well as apprehending suspects.Aki even received Patrol Catch of the Year in 2016 for his work in helping track a suspect that was involved in shooting two students at an area high school, the social media post reads.“Rest easy good boy,” the division wrote.Aki was 13 years old.

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.