K9 Kaliber – United States Forest Service

Died 12/5/20
Handler – Officer Don Denison

The United States Forest Service is mourning the loss of one of their own, Retired K9 Kaliber. Kaliber passed away at home in his handler’s arms on December 5, 2020. Kaliber selflessly served with USFS from 2009 to 2019. He was responsible for finding narcotics, as well as bad guys. For 10 years he, and now retired USFS Officer Don Denison, patrolled millions of acres of land throughout Idaho and Montana. When something needed to be done, Kaliber was the K9 everyone wanted to work with. He was brave and relentless. He never faltered in his duties and loved his job. Kaliber also loved his family. He lived out his retirement with the Denison family and was spoiled the way he deserved. Kaliber is already deeply missed.

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.