K9 Cherno -West Windsor, New Jersey

Handler – K9 Sergeant Montgomery

West Windsor Police K9 Cherno’s Final Walk

West Windsor Police and other K9 Units from the area were at Progressive Veterinary Care in Skillman today for Police K9 Cherno’s Final Walk. The K9 was 13 1/2 years old and provided service to West Windsor Police Department for 10 years. K9 Cherno was assigned to K9 Sergeant Montgomery and both have dedicated themselves to the West Windsor Police Department, the people of West Windsor, and the people of New Jersey. West Windsor Police Chief Garofalo said, “I have no words today or will ever find the words to describe how K9 Cherno and K9 Sergeant Montgomery have dedicated themselves to this agency, the people of West Windsor, and the people of New Jersey. I will never be able to describe how this team has touched the hearts and lives of so many (Some were touched a little harder and with more teeth than others). Cherno made the WORLD a better place and his crossing will be felt by so many for a long time. Cherno, your final orders, Stay Vigilant and Report to the Rainbow Bridge to Continue to Protect & Serve as you wait for your partner and your best friend.” West Windsor Police K9 Mackey, “Today, my big brother Cherno is crossing the rainbow bridge to run and jump and sniff it out forever. Cherno lived a long and adventurous 13 1/2 years. 10 years of service with a long list of accomplishments, and over 3 years of retirement full of treats and belly rubs. It’s amazing how much love one dog could give. Always the ladies man and always the consummate professional. Business was top priority but there was always room for a good game of fetch. To an eternity of barking as much as you want without getting yelled at. Thank you, Cherno, for paving the way for other k9’s and being my big brother. You will be missed by so many but not as much as by me. So much love. A very big thank you to Dr. T. Without him our family would not have had as much time as we did with Cherno. 13 1/2 years. Thank you. “

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.