K9 Valor – Davidson County , North Carolina

Handler – Deputy Gleave

We are saddened to announce that retired K9, Valor, has passed away. Valor began his Law Enforcement career with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2007 and retired in October of 2017. Valor was a multi-purpose K9 and was assigned to the Patrol Division with his partner, Deputy A Gleave. Valor was trained in tracking, narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, evidentiary detection, building searches, and officer safety/protection. Valor was instrumental in solidifying numerous narcotics cases, dozens of apprehensions of fleeing subjects (one being an escapee from the Detention Center), and even locating a small child that had wandered away from their home; as well as, locating an elderly person with cognitive issues who had also wandered off. Valor will be sorely missed by Deputy Gleave and his family, but rest assured, he will “zit” and “blijf” patiently on the other side of the rainbow bridge awaiting their reunion. Rest In Peace, Valor, and thank you for your service to the citizens of Davidson County!

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.