K9 Gerry – Woodway, Texas

Died – 9/19/19

Woodway K9 dies due to liver failure

The Woodway Public Safety Department announced the passing of Police K9 Gerry on Facebook Thursday. Gerry suffered liver failure. “After days of radio graphs, ultrasounds, lab work, and consultations, the difficult decision to let Gerry cross over the Rainbow Bridge was made” the Facebook post said. Gerry worked with the Woodway PD for 4 ½ years and located numerous items of drug paraphernalia and recovered more than $11,300. He also attended various department and city events. He was a staple in the community. The Woodway PSD thanked the South Bosque Veterinary Clinic and everyone who met and loved Gerry. “His presence will be greatly missed not only here at the department, but by all of Woodway” Woodway PSD said. “Rest easy, furry fella, we will take it from here.”

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.