K9 Aron – Broomfield, Colorado

Died – 10/21/17
Handler – Officer Terry

Retired Broomfield Police Department K-9 laid to rest

A retired Broomfield Police Department K-9 who was beloved by his fellow officers and who served the Broomfield community for five years, was laid to rest this past Saturday, the agency said in a Facebook post Wednesday. Retired Broomfield PD Officer Aron came to the police department in June 2005, at the age of 3-years-old. Officer Aron was trained in drug detection, tracking and apprehension and served until 2010, until he had to retired prematurely due to a generative disc disease common in German Shepherds, according to the Facebook post. His family thought he would not live after six months, but Aron managed to make it another seven years. The department said he loved lounging around the house and getting snacks, “although his family knew he missed going to work with [Broomfield Police] Officer Terry.” Officer Aron’s final meal was mint chocolate chip cupcakes with frosting and bacon. “We were so lucky to have had him as part of our family. Aron, you big ol’sweetie, you will be so missed. Run free sweet boy.” Born in Russia, Officer Aron was transported to the U.S. from Holland before he became an officer with the police department.

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.