K9 Bodie – Sacramento, California

Died – 11/8/16
Handler – Officer Randy Van Dusen

Bodie, famous Sacramento Police K9, dies from illness

Bodie, the Sacramento Police Department canine critically injured in 2012 by a fleeing car thief, died peacefully on Tuesday, the Sacramento Police Canine Association announced. The retired police K9 fell ill suddenly on Friday, suffering a bacterial infection, according to the post. Veterinarians later discovered a tumor on the left side of his face. The 8-year-old dog died Tuesday. Bodie saved Officer Randy Van Dusen’s life May 18, 2012, when the dog was shot trying to apprehend suspect Lucas Jerome Webb, 33, during a car chase and foot pursuit through Land Park. The bullet shattered the dog’s jawbone and two toes, and almost severed his tongue. Webb died in the subsequent exchange of gunfire. Bodie nearly bled to death, receiving 17 units of blood and undergoing five major surgeries at the veterinary hospital. He eventually recovered and sired five puppies after retirement from the department. Blitz was born April 28, 2015, and the only male in the litter. Blitz, joined the Citrus Heights Police Department’s K-9 team in August. Bodie and his offspring were reunited for Blitz’s graduation from K-9 training.

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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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