K9 Koda – Middletown, Ohio

Died – 2/5/23
Handler – Sgt. Dennis Jordan
Heroic Middletown police K-9 Koda dies after battle with cancer

A K-9 with the Middletown Police Department died early Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer. according to the Middletown Division of Police. Middletown police say Koda, a 7 1/2-year-old Dutch shepherd, served alongside Sgt. Dennis Jordan for the last 6 1/2 years.In August 2020, the heroic canine helped save Sgt. Jordan after a suspect, Christopher Hubbard, fired gunshots in their direction. It happened at the end of a police chase that began in Middletown and ended in the front yard of a Turtlecreek Township home. Video of the incident obtained by FOX19 NOW shows Sgt. Jordan sending Koda to get the suspect out of the car. Koda was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time. In the video, you can see Koda jump at the car window even after the shooting started, something he was prepared to do in his training, authorities say. Sgt. Jordan was shot in the tricep, hand, and leg, according to Middletown police. Koda was not hurt. “It could have been much worse had it not been for the bravery and heroism of K-9 Koda and the other officers involved,” Middletown police said in a Facebook post on Monday morning. Because of the bravery that took place during this incident, K-9 Koda and Sgt. Jordan received many awards.In 2021, they received the Valor Award at the North American Police Work Dog Association Conference for the 2020 incident. In addition, Sgt Jordan and Koda received the National Patrol Case of the Year from the United States Police Canine Association and received the Combat Cross medal in connection with the shooting. Sgt. Jordan and Koda also took Top Dog overall in Narcotic Detention in the United States Police Canine Association Region Five trials, as well as 1st place in Narcotic Detection Vehicles and in Narcotic Room Search. Sgt. Jordan also took home the Sportsmanship Award. “K9 Koda dedicated his life to serving this department and community. Please keep the Jordan family and the Middletown Division of Police in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” police said.

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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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