K9 Lemon – Pasco, Washington

Handler – Officer Josh Madsen

Retired Pasco police K9 Lemon passes away

K9 Lemon was a Pasco Police Super-Star. Lemon’s career spanned 8 years and was a big part of the success of the K-9 unit for the Pasco Police Department. Sadly, K9 Lemon passed away over the weekend. Pasco Police posted his passing on their Facebook page: It is with a heavy heart this morning that the Pasco Police Department regrets to announce the passing of K-9 Officer Lemon, due to a medical crisis. Lemon served our regional community with distinction for 8 years and was an integral member of our K-9 Unit. He was a large part of our original social media success and will always be remembered as K9 Lemon. Our hearts and condolences go out to Officer Madsen and his family during this difficult time. We also wish to thank our amazing community for the outpouring of love and support during the last few weeks for Lemon and his family. K9 Lemon’s exploits won’t be forgotten and his contributions over 8 years are legendary. He’ll be 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.