K9 Thor – Wethersfield, Connecticut

Died – 11/22/16
Handler – Officer Nuno Martins

Wethersfield Police Dog Dies After Pursuing Kidnapping Suspect

CPWDA is sad to announce the passing of Officer Nuno Martins K9 partner Thor who was 3 years old and with the Wethersfield Police Department for 2 years. Thor died from injuries sustained while pursuing a kidnapping suspect last night. Thor was released to find the suspect and was found later with many cuts from going through a heavy wooded area with briers. Thor was taken to the vet and was given a blood transfusion. Thor appeared to be recovering and when his handler, Officer Nuno Martins, went to see Thor at the vet office,Thor got up to greet Martins and collapsed and died instantly from a blood clot caused by his injuries. Officer Martins has been a member of the CPWDA since 7/26/10 for six years and became a a lifetime member on 2/22/14. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Martins family during this difficult time. R.I.P. Thor.

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.