K9 Onyx – Ignace, Michigan – United States Coast Guard

Died 6/16/20
Handler – Senior Chief Paul Decker

Senior Chief Morale Dog Onyx, 13 1/2 years old (95 dog years), of United States Coast Guard Station St. Ignace, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 surrounded by members of her crew and loved ones. Onyx was born in Fremont, Ohio on February 1st, 2007 and on July 13th, 2008 was adopted by Senior Chief Paul Decker, Officer in Charge of Coast Guard Station St. Ignace to be a comfort dog for his crew. Onyx served her crews with superior performance from July 2008 to June 2020. Demonstrating exceptional technical expertise and professionalism, Senior Chief Morale Dog Onyx supported multiple underway missions to include aids to navigation, search and rescue, ports waterway coastal security, ice rescue and recreational boating safety patrols. Over her first 10 years at Station St. Ignace she always achieved her 40 underway boat hours every 6 months. She took a lead role in educating the public about water safety. Through her attendance at multiple safety demonstrations at area schools or National Boating Safety Week open houses, she educated thousands on the importance of wearing a life jacket. Demonstrating steadfast devotion to the security of Station St. Ignace, Onyx patrolled the grounds keeping watch for intruding geese and mink. Displaying unsurpassed dedication to her shipmates, Onyx diligently stood 4,356 days of consecutive duty, without relief or complaint, to ensure the morale of the crew remained high. Being ever mindful of the recruiting mission and the need to share the story of the United States Coast Guard, Onyx took the lead role in a book series showcasing her dedication and heroism. The series captured the attention of over 100,000 readers and will serve as a teaching tool for children and adults for many years to come. Onyx’s diligence, perseverance and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard. As the sun sets on Onyx and her many adventures, her legacy will continue to inspire all because she was a Hero, a Watchful Protector, a Guardian of the Straits of Mackinac…..Onyx was a Coast Guard Morale Dog and the Lord of the Lakes.

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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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