K9 Eddie – Alsip, Illinois

Died – 3/7/17
Handler – Officer Chad Rezny

Alsip Police Department’s K9 Eddie Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Four days after he tracked down a would-be armed robber, the Alsip Police Department said goodbye to K-9 Officer Eddie. Alsip police said Eddie was instrumental in tracking down an armed man after he robbed a gas station last Saturday night. The police K9 led officers to a nearby motel, where he was taken into custody. Eddie was put to sleep on March 7 for medical reasons and went out a true hero. He served the Alsip community with distinction for almost nine years. Eddie was the loyal partner of Officer Chad Rezny. Last August, Eddie and Officer Rezny competed in the K-9 Olympics held in Lafayette, IL. The K9 teams completed against others from Canada, Brazil and U.S. Secret Service, the Department of Defense , as well as numerous other teams from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The competition was based on drug detection, explosive detection, building searches, obedience, speed and open area searches. Out of 80 teams that participated, K9 Eddie and Officer Rezny placed seventh overall, and took first place among local police departments. Deputy Chief Jay Miller, of the Alsip Police Department, issued the following statement: “With heavy hearts, Eddie was unexpectedly diagnosed with a life altering medical issue early Tuesday. It was already affecting his health. Eddie was put to sleep late Tuesday evening. Eddie was a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois and was a member of the APD for almost 9 years. Eddie specialized in narcotic detection, suspect apprehension, and did several community demonstrations for kids and adults every year. He will be missed.” Eddie went out in true K9 fashion working up to the very end of his watch, police said. He will be greatly missed by his law enforcement brothers and sisters. Run free, K9 Eddie. You were one of the greats.

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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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