K9 Ordi – Wood River, Illinois

Died 5/1/20
Handler – Officer Alfaro

Wood River Police Department Mourns the Loss of Retired K9 Ordi

The Wood River Police Department along with handler, Alfaro, today mourn the death of retired K-9 Ordi. K-9 Ordi served the residents of Wood River from Nov. 19, 2009, until Sept. 28, 2016, when he retired. K-9 Ordi served the City of Wood River, and surrounding communities as an extended tool of law enforcement. “We would be remiss if we failed to mention the various local schools, libraries, and community centers Chris and Ordi visited to educate how important and valuable Police K9’s are,” Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said. “Ordi lived with Officer Alfaro and his family while he worked and also when he retired in 2016. “From the age of 13 months, Officer Alfaro and Ordi developed an intense and unbreakable bond. Chris was not only his handler but he was also Ordi’s source of pure love, nourishment, play, praise, structure, and discipline for him. Many different K9 handlers from area departments, present and former members of the Wood River Police Department, thank Ordi for the years of service to the City of Wood River. We also thank Officer Alfaro for his years with Ordi. Please remember Officer Alfaro, his family, and his work family in your thoughts and prayers.” Chief Wells said there are so many stories where K-9 Ordi helped the community but here is one instance was where he helped Alton track down three armed robbers who robbed a pizza delivery driver.”Wood River Officer Chris Alfaro responded with his canine partner Ordi,” Chief Wells said. “Ordi picked up a scent and tracked the suspects to a nearby home. Police said all the suspects were still eating the pizza when they were caught.”

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.