K9 Edo – Bangor, Maine

Died – 7/21/21

Handler – Officer Jones 

Beloved Bangor Police K9 Edo Dies Of Sudden Illness After 9 Years On Force

Beloved Bangor Police K9 Edo died of a sudden illness Wednesday afternoon after spending nine years on the force, the department said. “Edo was Officer Jones’ partner, companion and family member for the past nine years,” the department wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “They patrolled the dark of night keeping our community safe.” K9 Edo and Officer Jones had also been active in Bangor’s community outreach program, where the dedicated pup would regularly demonstrate his “skills and prowess,” the department said. “Whether off duty or on, Officer Jones and Edo would spring into action, day or night, to assist our neighboring departments,” Bangor Police said. “Both dedicated to duty and profession.” “Without question there is no stronger bond than that of K9 and handler…Thank you Officer Jones and Edo for your devotion and dedication to 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.