K9 Nufo – Lexington, South Carolina

Handler – Officer Trey Kerwin

Retired Lexington police K-9 passes away

A retired police dog for the Lexington Police Department died last week, according to the police department.K-9 Nufo died after complications from a medical disorder.He retired in July 2023 and was living with his partner Officer Trey Kerwin.The pair had worked together for the Lexington Police Department since 2018.The police department said Nufo was able to track in missing or wanted person’s cases and helped with “several significant narcotics seizures. He had an incredible drive and loved being at work.”“K-9 Nufo made the transition into a family dog being gentle and quickly bonding with other dogs in the house. He enjoyed getting treats, going on walks, chewing on his Kong, and laying on the couch watching television with Officer Kerwin and his wife”.

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.