Memorials to Fallen K-9's

K9 Major – Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania

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Handler – Officer Michael Watts

Plymouth Township Police Department has announced the passing of Major, a former K9 dog who had since been retired from service. Local police are mourning the loss of one of their own. The Plymouth Township Police Department has announced the death of Major, a former K9 dog who worked as an officer on the suburban police force. Major, who worked as a four-legged officer for the department for more than a decade, had been partnered with Officer Michael Watts, with whom he also shared a home. “In addition to his love of community engagement, K9 Major was responsible for the detection and apprehension of many suspects during this career,” the police department stated in a Facebook post. After he retired from active duty, Major continued to live with Officer Watts and his family, the police department stated.

The department said that Major will be missed, and they thanked him for his service, ending its Facebook post with a quote: “It is not just those with two legs who are born with a Soul that has the courage to wear the badge.” The source of the quote was not provided. The Facebook post got quite a number of comments from community members offering condolences. “Rest Easy Officer, your watch is over. Enjoy chasing all the bones, sticks in heaven,” wrote Michael McGlinchey. “Rest peacefully Major,” added Dawn Higgins. “You were such a handsome boy. Thank you for your service. My condolences to everyone including Officer Watts.” Watts is one of three K9 officers employed by the Plymouth Township Police Department, the other two being Officers Doug Wells and Jon Monaghan. The supervisor of the unit is Lt. Doug Copestick. Late last year, Patch reported on a grant that the K9 unit received from the Richard Groff and Meda Kern K-9 Corps Endowment Fund, which is part of the Berks County Community Foundation. The $9,000 was expected to be used toward an upgraded kennel at the police department.

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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.