K9 Thor – Ansonia, Connecticut

Died 12/21/15
Handler – Steve Martins

Retired Police K9 Thor has passed away

Retired K9 Thor was euthanized on 12/21/15 after struggling with degenerative myelopathy. Thor had served with Ansonia Police Department for more than nine years and retired from duty in June of 2014 . Thor graduated from the Renbar Kennels in April 2005. Thor has been on more than 10,000 calls for service and has assisted in 442 motor vehicle stops since 2010. Thor and Martins have assisted federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on 240 cases. Officer Martins and K9 Thor were long time members of the CPWDA, 10 years, joining on 3/31/05.

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.