K9 Ajax – Kitsap County, Washington

Died – 11/7/16
Handler – Deputy Joe Hedstrom

Deputies say goodbye to Ajax the dog

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office deputies said goodbye Monday to retired police dog Ajax, who had been diagnosed with cancer, according to a statement from the office. Ajax died two days before his 11th birthday. Deputy Joe Hedstrom was Ajax’s handler while the dog worked for the office from May 2008 until a neck injury in the line of duty in September 2012 ultimately led to his retirement. Ajax went to live with Hedstrom’s family following his retirement. During his service with the office, Ajax was credited with capturing 112 suspects, according to a statement from the office. When word spread Monday that Ajax was going to be put down, deputies drove to the veterinary clinic to pay their respects and to show support for Hedstrom. At 12:45 p.m. Monday, 911 dispatchers broadcast a message to all agencies, honoring Ajax. “Thank you Ajax for your service. We will miss you.”

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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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