K9 Koa – Clearwater, Florida

Died – 2/27/18
Handler – Officer Scott Dawson

Former K9 Koa left ‘lasting impression’ with Clearwater PD

The Clearwater Police Department is mourning the loss of a former K9, “Koa.” Clearwater police announced Tuesday morning the passing of the retired K9. He served alongside his handler, Officer Scott Dawson, from 2005 to 2010. They both retired from the agency after. Koa spent his remaining years as a member of Officer Dawson’s family, until he passed away. He would have turned 15 years old this year. The agency wrote on its Facebook page that Koa left an a “last impression on our entire agency.” He will be missed greatly by his CPD family and by Officer Dawson’s family. Rest in peace, Koa, and thank you for your service to CPD and the community.

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.