K9 Justice – Maryland State Police

Died 8/29/19

Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack Sadly Announces Passing of K9 Justice

It’s with great sadness that the Maryland State Police La-Plata Barrack announces the passing of one of their K9 partners on the morning of Thursday, August 29. K9 Justice was 15 years old when he passed, trained in the detection of narcotics. Working with numerous handlers during his time on patrol, and numerous years in Charles County, until his retirement on 9/16/16. After retirement, K9 Justice lived with his final handler (and the handlers current patrol dogs). During his time on patrol, K9 Justice was brought to many fairs and public events to meet kids and citizens. We are very grateful for K9 Justice’s service to the State of Maryland.

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.