K9 Cleo – Albemarle County, Virginia

Died – 6/24/19
Handler – Officer Bill Saulle

Albemarle County Police Mourn Loss of K-9 after Years of Service

The Albemarle County Police Department is mourning the loss of its beloved K-9, Cleo. who was an 11-year-old black lab that came to the ACPD in March of 2014. Before her tenure with the ACPD The explosives and weapons deterrent dog passed away on Monday, June 24. She was diagnosed with cancer in April, and over the weekend her quality of life diminished. Cleo retired in January after joining the department in March 2014, but officers say she was a special member of the force. “With K-9s most of the time you’re not able to just walk up and pet the dog because of their training, but Cleo was the kind of dog that could be used for community policing so when she was out and about people were able to touch her and also, from what I hear, she gave great kisses,” Madeline Curott, the ACPD’s spokesperson, said. She also served two tours in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. Cleo and her handler, Officer Bill Saulle, conducted countless proactive searches throughout the region include airports, parade routes and dignitary visits. Cleo retired from the police force in January of this year but continued to live with her handler in retirement.

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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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