K9 Cops – Green Bay, Wisconsin

Died – 8/22/20
Handler – Specialist II Fred Laitinen

K9 Cops was a member of the Green Bay Wisconsin Police K9 Unit. Cops, passed away after battling serious medical issues over several months. Cops was the youngest of our 6 four-legged officers and started his career on March 10, 2014,in New Mexico, the first day of training with his new handler, Specialist II Fred Laitinen. It is never easy to say good bye to a friend and partner, but it is even harder when that day comes so much sooner than anticipated. Canine handlers form a special bond with their canines, a bond that most of us, even their fellow police officers, will probably never fully understand. Our canine handlers do not just work with their furry partners, they live with them and they become a part of their family. They are with them 24/7.Thank you for your service.

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.