K9 Nelson – Derbyshire, England

Handler – Darren

Derbyshire Police said PD Enzo and PD Nelson were both ‘fearsome’ and ‘loyal’ dogs who provided great service. PD Enzo, who came from Gibraltar to live with handler Max and family, was taken seriously ill and rushed to the vets last Tuesday. And PD Nelson, who retired in 2012, died late last week at the end of a ‘happy life’ with handler Darren and his family. Derbyshire police’s dog section announced Enzo’s death on Twitter, where the team received scores of heartfelt messages from followers. The tweets said: ‘It is with great sadness and a heavy heart [that we] announce PD Enzo has passed away. He was taken seriously ill and rushed to the vets yesterday. ‘PD Enzo came to Derbyshire Constabulary from Gibraltar and found his forever home with his handler and family. He was brave, loyal, and a best friend and partner. He loved being with his family and will be greatly missed. Truly a one off.’ The team later thanked followers for their messages and said Enzo’s family would ‘take great comfort’ from them. Dog section officers also announced the death of a retired police dog, called Nelson, on Twitter. The tweets said: ‘It is with a heavy heart [that we] announce retired PD Nelson has died. Nelson served with Derbyshire police from 2007 to 2012 and retired to live a happy life with his handler Darren and family. ‘If Nelson could win a prize it would be for best climbing dog. Nelson assisted Darren in apprehending many prisoners and was a fearsome presence on football duty.’

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.