K9 Lazer – Johnson County, Iowa

Died – 1/25/16
Handler – Deputy Chris Langenberg

Retired Johnson County K9 Put to Sleep

A former K9 with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was put down Monday morning. An acute medical condition required Lazer to be put to sleep. Lazer, a Belgian Malinois, joined the department in 2003 and was active until retiring last May. “Lazer and his partner, Deputy Chris Langenberg, were a dedicated team who served Johnson County for 12 years,” Pulkrabek wrote. “They constantly put themselves in harm’s way to keep everyone around them safe.” Pulkrabek said Lazer and Langenberg earned several awards during his time with the sheriff’s office, including placing in the U.S. Police Canine Association National Detector Dog Competition. “For members of our office it was truly an honor to serve with Lazer and he will be greatly missed. Our condolences to Deputy Langenberg and his family who will greatly miss Lazer from their family,” Pulkrabek said.

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.