K9 Koda – Danbury, Connecticut

Died – 1/10/19
Handler – Detective Kupchok

CPWDA is sad to announce the passing of retired K9 Koda who was handled by Detective Travis Kupchok of the Danbury Police Department. K9 Koda was retired in 2017 due to a brain tumor. K9 Koda was put to sleep on 1/10/19 after he had a cluster (10) seizures in a row. Officer Kupchok made the hard, painful but loving decision to end his loyal partner’s suffering. Detective Kupchok and K9 Koda were CPWDA Lifetime members joining on 10/25/11 until K9 Koda’s passing and were certified in Patrol & Narcotics. Detective Kupchok and K-9 Koda patrolled the streets of Danbury for six years until Koda’s retirement in 2017. Our thoughts and prayers are with Detective Kupchok, his family, friends and the Danbury Police department during this difficult time. We thank you K9 Koda for your service to the community, R.I.P. K9 Koda.

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.