K9 Bongo – San Ramon, California

Died – 3/30/18
Handler – Officer Bruce

San Ramon Officers Mourn Beloved Police Dog

The San Ramon Police Department was mourning Friday after a beloved police dog died following an injury last year. Officials said K9 Bongo was forced into retirement in February 2017 after a back injury. “Since then, he has been enjoying retirement and living comfortably with Officer Bruce and his family,” officials said on Facebook. “Unfortunately, K9 Bongo’s injury has gotten progressively worse, and it is now time for him to chase bad guys in heaven.” Officials said Bongo “honorably served the citizens” for seven years. “Anyone who has loved their dog knows that a dog is not just a pet, they are an extension of your family,” they wrote on Facebook. “When they move on there will always be a missing piece which cannot quite be replaced.”

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.