K9 Cojack – Hanover County, Virginia

Died – 3/9/19

Hanover County deputies mourn K9 Cojack after sudden death

Hanover County Sheriff’s Office K9 Cojack passed away suddenly on Sunday, due to medical complications. North Carolina-born Cojack began his career in Hanover in December 2015. Cojack became certified with his human partner in December 2016 through the Virginia Police Work Dog Association. Cojack worked to locate missing individuals and recover evidence in criminal investigations for the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. “Cojack was not only a member of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, he was also a valued member of his human partner’s family. Cojack had a gentle and kind demeanor and was always a favorite at community meetings and presentations. We are truly thankful that Cojack was part of the Sheriff’s Office family for the past three years. He will not be forgotten but he will be missed,” said Colonel David R. Hines.

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.