K9 Axel – Lawrence, Indiana

Handler – Officer Hickey
Died – 3/6/20

After a distinguished 10-year career that started with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, Lawrence K9 Axel passed away Friday. After saving countless soldiers’ lives by detecting explosive devices as an IED K9 in the Army, Axel was retrained as a drug detection K9 and came to the City of Lawrence in 2015, working for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township and Lawrence Police as part of a joint collaboration called K9’s for Cops. American Legion Post 510 welcomed Axel as an honorary lifetime member in 2019. He was also presented the Legion Medal of Valor for his service. Axel retired earlier this year. He was featured several times during episodes of Live PD, earning viewers’ popularity for his ability to close his own door in his police car. “We are tremendously grateful for his career of service,” said Deputy Chief Gary Woodruff in an email to WTHR.

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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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