K9 Ruso – Whitewater, Wisconsin

Died – 7/27/18
Handler – Officer Justin Stuppy

‘Loving and hardworking’ Whitewater Police Department K-9 officer died Friday

A Whitewater Police Department K-9 officier died Friday, according to a news release from officials. K-9 officer Ruso had developed a kidney issue and underwent surgery earlier this week. Officials said it was determined that his kidneys were not performing as expected and he died Friday morning. When police first took in Ruso, he was a high-energy, 3-year-old Labrador retriever from Mexico. He went on to graduate from Little Rock K-9 Academy after months of training. He was sworn into the academy on June 6, 2017. Ruso worked and lived with his handler, Officer Justin Stuppy. Officials describe the K-9 program as a “by the community, for the community” initiative. A fundraiser, Run, Golf, Ride for Ruso, was previously scheduled for Saturday to raise funds for the unit. With his death, the fundraiser will now take place in Ruso’s honor and memory. All funds will still go to the K-9 Unit in hopes of swearing in a new K-9 officer in the future. “Although young, Ruso worked hard to keep the community safe,” said Chief Aaron Raap. “He was continuing to excel in search trainings at our local schools and made appearances at many city events including the recent Fourth of July parade. Ruso was a very loving and hardworking K-9 officer and will be missed by the Whitewater police team and community.” The fundraising events all begin and end at Spring Creek Golf Center.

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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.
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