K9 Enzor – Dawson County, Texas

Died – 3/3/18
Handler – Deputy Virginia Ortiz

Former K-9 officer dies

Enzor, who was retired from duty as a K9 officer with the Dawson County Sheriff Office on Oct. 11, 2016, died this past Sunday at the home of Deputy Virginia Ortiz, who had served as his partner and handler for almost six years. Enzor is shown lying near some sunflowers in a photo that Ortiz said was one of her favorites. Enzor, a retired K-9 officer with the Dawson County Sheriff Office, passed away around 12 noon last Saturday, March 3, 2018. “He passed away while he slept, enjoying the sunshine,” said Deputy Virginia Ortiz, who was Enzor’s partner and handler for almost six years. “He was my working partner, friend, companion and best friend who always gave his all with unconditional love. “I will greatly miss him, but I know he is not suffering any more.”K9 Enzor officially was retired from duty here on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, by the Dawson County Commissioners Court after being diagnosed with a “degenerative hip problem.”

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.