K9 Ducan – Homestead, Florida

Died – 10/5/21

Handler – Sgt. Bohne 

Homestead Police Mourns Loss of Longtime K9 Dog Ducan

The Homestead Police Department is mourning the loss of a longtime K9 member of the force who will go down in history for being a “good boy.” The department said Ducan passed away Monday after his career with the HPD was cut short due to medical issues. Ducan spent seven years with the Homestead Police Department and assisted in the apprehension of subjects while working with his handlers. Ducan also performed at K9 presentations held by the department for residents of the city. “May Ducan Rest In Peace knowing that he successfully completed his tour of duty with the City of Homestead Police Department and he always made his handler Sgt. Bohne, and all of us at HPD proud,” the department said in a statement.

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.