K9 Max – Erie, Ohio

Died 7/27/23
Handler -Deputy. Dan Orzech

Erie County Sheriff’s Office mourns passing of retired K-9 Max

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office was saddened to announce on July 27 that their beloved K-9 Max crossed the rainbow bridge.Max was “a loyal and faithful partner” to Dep. Dan Orzech in service from 2015 through his retirement 2021.ECSO said Max was trained in patrol and narcotics detection.He then spent his golden years living with Orzech and his family permanently.“Special thanks to NOAH Pet Clinic, Groff Funeral Homes and Crematory, and the Perkins Township Police Department for their very compassionate assistance,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Max was a valued member of the Sheriff’s Office and he will be missed!”

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.