K9 Ajax – Queensland, Australia

Handler – Sergeant Craig Law

It is with great sadness that we confirm the recent passing of retired Police Dog Ajax. PD Ajax was a valuable member of the Sunshine Coast Dog Squad, beginning his service in the unit in September 2012. He was medically retired in 2018 and spent his remaining time with his handler and Officer-in-Charge, Sergeant Craig Law. PD Ajax and Officer-in-Charge, Sergeant Craig Law. He tragically died at 10-years-old after a recent visit to the vet identified a cancerous tumor. Throughout his six years of service, PD Ajax proved he had a bark like no other and many fleeing offenders across the Sunshine Coast District experienced his tenacity and commitment to helping keep the community safe. He was responsible for the detection and capture of numerous offenders, including those wanted for armed robbery, the unlawful use of motor vehicles and breaking and entering. He also helped track down the odd missing person along the way. PD Ajax leaves behind a loving family, who affectionately knew him as Captain Fluffy Bum. Sergeant Law remembered PD Ajax as a loyal partner but, more importantly, as family. “Handlers and their dogs develop bonds during their working lives that cannot be matched,” Sergeant Law said. “While Ajax tracked down offenders with enthusiasm, at home he was a fierce protector of my family and quickly became one of us.“There is no doubt that while he liked being a Police Dog, he found getting spoilt at home was just as much fun as tracking an offender. “His passing was very unexpected and his absence has left a huge void for our family, in particular for his favourite ‘handler’, my wife Abby,” Sergeant Law said. PD Ajax, with honour you served and it was our honour to serve with you. You will never be forgotten.

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.