K9 Ranger – Ellwood, Pennsylvania

Died – 2/21/23
Handler – Sergeant Michael McBride

Former Ellwood K9 Ranger passes away

The former Ellwood City Police Department K9 passed away Tuesday. Ranger was born on July 19, 2012, and was partnered with department Officer-in-charge/Sgt. Michael McBride. Ranger was the son of McBride’s first first K9, Jozek. Ranger served until his retirement on March 15, 2021. He spent his remaining days living a good life with McBride and his family on McBride’s farm. “Gonna miss my buddy! You served the ECPD well and loved your family at home,” McBride said. “Love ya Ranger, you will be forever missed. Thank you all that were part of his life.”

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.