K9 Renzo – Paso Robles, California

Handler – Officer Joe Stanley

K-9 Renzo of Paso Robles Police Department passes away

The Paso Robles Police Department K-9 Unit announced the sudden passing of K-9 Renzo due to an unexpected medical complication. K-9 Renzo was born in the Czech Republic on Nov. 10, 2017, where he began his police K-9 training.Renzo joined the Paso Robles Police Department K-9 Unit in 2020, partnering with Officer Joe Stanley. Together, they provided support and protection for the citizens of Paso Robles and the officers they worked alongside. Their energy and enthusiasm brought smiles to the community during various K-9 demonstrations at local events. Officer Stanley expressed sorrow over the loss of his partner, noting the pain of knowing his best friend will no longer accompany him in his patrol car. The Paso Robles Police Department thanked Renzo for his years of service to the department and the community.

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.