K9 Axel – Sonoma County, California

Died 7/25/17
1st Handler – Deputy Adrian Mancilla
2nd Handler – Deputy Jerry Turney

Sonoma County sheriff’s K-9, Axel, remembered as gentle, hardworking

Axel, a longtime Sonoma County sheriff’s K-9, was euthanized Tuesday, the sheriff’s office reported following a nearly nine-year career with the department. The 13 year old Belgian Malinois worked with two Sonoma County deputies, and was trained in protection as well as suspect apprehension and finding drugs. At least one case required him to fly on the sheriff’s helicopter long line. Axel was a partner for five years with then Deputy Adrian Mancilla. The dog was credited with apprehending 10 suspected criminals and getting more than 60 people to surrender, as well as finding 90 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop in the Russian River area, according to department reports. Sgt. Mancilla Wednesday called Axel the ultimate loyal partner. “I always felt that he had an old soul inside of him,” Mancilla wrote in an email. “Most people could not believe that he was a Sheriff’s patrol dog. He was sweet and lovable, but yet at a moment’s notice could flip a switch and go into protection mode.” When Mancilla became a detective, Axel worked with Deputy Jerry Turney, helping Turney patrol Bodega Bay and the Sonoma coast for four years. The dog retired in April and spent his final four months with the Mancilla family.

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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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