K9 Luuk – Pinellas Park , Florida

Died 6/1/21
Handler – Officer McCullough

Pinellas Park police are mourning the loss of one of their K9s. The agency says K9 Luuk passed away June 1, after more than 6 years of service. Luuk joined the Pinellas Park Police Department in October of 2014, where he formed a bond with Officer McCullough through months of training. The department said Officer McCullough and K9 Luuk had a long and successful career together and became a fixture in the community. “Ofc. McCullough’s bond with ‘Luuk’ was unsurpassed and his loss will be felt at home, at the Pinellas Park Police Department, and throughout our wonderful community,” the agency wrote. “Please join us in sending positive thoughts to Ofc. McCullough and his family.” Police did not say how Luuk died.

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.