K9 Axel – Kent County, Michigan

Died – 8/28/21
Handler – Deputy Krystal Stewart

Kent Co. canine dies after medical emergency

A canine with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office died in the line of duty Saturday following a medical emergency while tracking a home invasion suspect. The dog, named Axel, had been with the sheriff’s office since May 2019. Officials say Axel was the office’s only explosive detection dog. “As an agency, we are heartbroken,” said Sheriff LaJoye-Young. “A K9 is a partner to their handler and an incredibly special member of our KCSO family. We will forever be grateful for Axel’s service to the residents of Kent County.” Multiple K-9 units, including members of Michigan State Police, Grand Rapids Police Department and the Wyoming Police Department, escorted Axel in a procession from Animal Emergency Hospital to Axel’s personal vet, Cedar Animal Hospital. Axel was assigned to Deputy Krystal Stewart.

 

Tags

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.
| Old Memorials | Site Map
Copyright © 1973 - 2024 Louise Krause Memorials to Fallen K-9's Hosted By PC-GEEK Site Maintained BY Jim Cortina