K9 Badger – Maryland Natural Resources

Died – 6/6/24
Handler – Sgt. April Sharpeta

Maryland Officials Mourn the Loss of Beloved NRP K-9 Badger

On June 6, the Maryland Natural Resources Police bid farewell to K9 Badger, a distinguished member of their team known for his spirited “Honey Badger” personality. Partnered with Sgt. April Sharpeta, K9 Badger served the force with distinction since joining in 2013, specializing in human remains detection (HRD) after discovering his true calling during training. During his nine years of certified service, K9 Badger’s contributions extended across Maryland and into neighboring Delaware, West Virginia, and Washington DC. He played a critical role in numerous investigations involving missing persons, homicides, suicides, and natural disasters, often working under challenging conditions on land, water, and through various debris. K9 Badger was not only a skilled search dog but also a beloved figure in community outreach, frequently engaging with children and demonstrating his skills at public events. His career was marked by his unwavering readiness to serve, assisting not just the Natural Resources Police but also local, state, and federal agencies. Tragically, in December of 2021, K9 Badger was diagnosed with an inoperable adrenal tumor. His passing leaves a void within the Maryland Natural Resources Police, particularly for Sgt. Sharpeta, who had previously lost another canine partner, K9 Bear. K9 Badger’s legacy of service and dedication will be deeply missed by his handler, his family, and his colleagues at the NRP K9 team.The agency expresses its deep gratitude for K9 Badger’s years of service and mourns his loss alongside Sgt. Sharpeta and all who knew him.

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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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