K9 Axel – Central Falls, Rhode Island

Handler – Officer Decristoforo

OFFICER SAYS FINAL GOODBYE TO K9 DOG AXEL, HIS PARTNER AND PET

Rhode Island K9 dogs are an invaluable part of the police force and do an incredible job-saving people and keeping their communities safe, putting their lives on the line just like their human partners. These dogs become a beloved part of any police department, but they form the most important bond with their handlers. Not only are they partners on the job, looking out for each other in the line of duty, but they are friends off the job as well: most handlers keep their dogs as pets. That was the case for Officer Decristoforo of the Central Falls Police Department and his K9 partner Axel. Sadly, the police dog recently passed away… and a heartbreaking photo shows just how much the loss meant to the officer. Axel died last month, a few years after retiring from the force. He was living with his former partner, who adopted him. A local nonprofit animal group called Friends of Central Fall Animals wrote a tribute to the dog, praising him as an excellent officer. “Axel was all business on the streets,” the post reads. “He did a phenomenal job at keeping the streets safe, and he always made sure our officers were safe regardless as to how dangerous a situation was.” The post also describes Axel’s close bond with Officer Decristoforo. “He wouldn’t have hesitated to give his life to save the life of a fellow officer, especially his partner,” the post reads. “These two were instantly best friends who were sure to have each other’s back.” “I can’t find the right words to describe the love that Officer Decristoforo had for Axel, but I do know he’s feeling broken right now by the loss of his other half,” Friends of Central Falls Animals wrote. It’s clear the two officers truly loved each other, and it’s a bond that can’t be broken.“The bond between a Police k9 and his partner can never be broken, not even in death,” the post reads. “K9 Axel may no longer be physically at Officer Decristoforo’s side, but he will forever be watching over him, and in his own way making sure he ends each shift safely just as he did when they were out there together keeping the streets safe!”

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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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