K9 Apollo – Michigan City, Michigan

Died – 2/22/21
Handler – Cpl. Greg Radiger

Former Michigan City police dog Apollo dies

Apollo, a retired Michigan City Police Department K-9, will be remembered for his years of patrolling the community and rushing to residents’ aid, police said. On Tuesday the police department announced that Apollo died Monday from an unexpected medical condition. “Everyone at the Michigan City Police Department would like to extend our deepest condolences to former MCPD Cpl. Greg Radiger and his family,” the department wrote in an announcement. “We are all saddened by the passing of his former MCPD K-9 partner Apollo.” Apollo joined the force in February 2012 and retired in January 2017. The police dog was certified in explosives detection, tracking, evidence searches and building searches. During his time of service, Apollo located four handguns, police said. He would routinely search schools and special event areas during protective sweeps. He also regularly assisted in foot patrols in neighborhoods and found an elderly resident who was lost in a wooded area.”Apollo was well liked and respected by those within our community and department,” the police department said. “Apollo was dedicated to serving his community and working side by side with Cpl. Radiger.” The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office recently welcomed a new police dog into its ranks. Roman, a 2-year-old male Belgian Malinois, was assigned to LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Wells. In the coming weeks, Wells and Roman will undergo a six-week handlers course at the training facility.

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.