K9 Hondo – Winthrop Harbor, Illinois

Handler – Bill Bogdala

Winthrop Harbor police canine dies of medical emergency after recently retiring

Authorities are mourning the loss of a Winthrop Harbor police canine who died after suffering a medical emergency following his recent retirement from the department.The Winthrop Harbor Police Department said Thursday they were saddened to announce the death of retired canine Hondo.Hondo served the village with his handler, Sgt. Bill Bogdala, beginning on June 9, 2017.The police canine served for six years before his retirement in June.Hondo was trained in narcotics detection, article searches and tracking.“He represented the WHPD at many events including providing assistance to other agencies,” the police department said.Police officials said Hondo was well known throughout the community. He even served as a ring bearer at an officer’s wedding.Hondo resided with Bogdala and his family upon his retirement in June.The canine experienced a medical emergency with “no viable treatment options” on Friday, police officials said.“Hondo will be greatly missed by the police department, he greatly enjoyed protecting and serving the community at large,” the department said in a statement.

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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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