K9 Ajax – Fortworth ,Texas

1st Handler – Ofc. Abrams
2nd Handler – Ofc. Lopez

The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) announced the passing of K9 Ajax, a German short-haired pointer who served as a single-purpose narcotic service dog.”His faithful service to the City of Fort Worth and the greater DFW area will never be forgotten,” FWPD said in a statement.Ajax joined FWPD in 2017 and served for seven years in the K9 Interdiction Unit. After the 2021 promotion of his handler, Ofc. Abrams, Ajax was reassigned to his current handler, Ofc. Lopez, to continue his mission of interdiction.”Ajax’s relentless courage and determination translated to his personal life as well, in which he overcame cancer and eventually returned to the service job he loved,” FWPD said.Ajax is survived by his two handlers and the rest of the Fort Worth police family.

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.