K9 Yasso – The Twinsburg, Ohio

Died – 9/24/20′
Handler – Officer Yamil Encarnacion

The Twinsburg Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own, retired K9 Yasso. Yasso lost his battle with a neurological disorder today. He was surrounded by his Dad and friends when he said goodbye. K9 Yasso was a dual purpose patrol and narcotics detection dog. He selflessly served the city of Twinsburg for 8 years before retiring in late 2017. Yasso was well known and loved within his community and the K9 community as a whole. The 114lbs German Shepherd was a force to be reckoned with, yet a gentle giant who loved helping and bringing comfort to children. He gave officers and his community an unmatched level of safety, and was responsible for countless narcotics finds, apprehensions and successful tracks. Yasso will be dearly missed by everyone who had the great honor of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Encarnacion and the Twinsburg Police Department. Rest easy buddy. We love you.

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.