K9 Robby – Waterloo, Iowa

Died – 7/28/17
Handler – Sgt. Gus Farmer

Long-serving K9 officer for Waterloo PD dies of bone cancer

A dog that for nearly 10 years served as a K9 officer with the Waterloo Police Department has died after a short battle with bone cancer. K-9 Officer Robby died July 28th. Robby was a 12 year old Belgian Malinois who began working with Sgt. Gus Farmer in 2006 and is the longest serving K9 in the history of the Waterloo Police Department. Robby retired in April 2016. In 2007, Robby suffered life threatening injuries after falling three stories while searching a building for a burglary suspect. Robby recovered and returned to full duty. Robby helped seize hundreds of pounds of narcotics and thousands of dollars in U.S. Currency in drug busts. Robby was also involved in catching numerous suspects fleeing or hiding from police.

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.