K9 Argo – Statesville, North Carolina

K9 Argo – Died 11/4/20
Handler – Corporal M. Mitchell

Retired police K-9 passes away after 9 years of service with Statesville PD

The Statesville Police Department said goodbye this month to a beloved K-9 officer who served the community for nine years. Retired Police K-9 Argo died at home at the age of 11 on November 4, the department said Tuesday. The German Shepherd was partnered with K-9 Corporal M. Mitchell in 2010 and served alongside him with the Statesville PD K-9 Unit until 2019, when he was retired from the road. “Argo remained at his long-time home with Mitchell after his retirement, spending his well-deserved time off relaxing with family,” the department said. Argo was certified as a multi-purpose K-9, but was best known for tracking. “Countless successful tracks led to arrests made possible by his keen scent instincts and, according to fellow K-9 Handlers, also as a result of Mitchell’s hard work and commitment to training.” K-9 Argo and Mitchell, a Master Trainer and Vice President of the United Police Work Dog Association, achieved their Level IV Tracking Certification, and also received an American Police Canine Association President’s Award for Professional Excellence, according to the department. “Despite his intimidating stature, Argo was a gentle giant and an overall great dog,” they wrote. “K-9 Argo will be fondly remembered and greatly missed!”

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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.
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