K9 Ozzie – Bainbridge Township, Ohio

Died – 1/10/22

Handler – Sgt. Jon Weiner 

Beloved Bainbridge Township K-9 officer dies unexpectedly with his partner by his side

The Bainbridge Township community is mourning the loss of a beloved K-9 officer who worked with the Bainbridge Township Police Department for nearly 10 years. According to a Facebook post, Ozzie, a K-9 officer, died on Monday at just 10-years-old with his partner, Sgt. Jon Weiner, at his side. Ozzie joined the Bainbridge Township Police Department in May 2012 and was trained in tracking, area search, criminal apprehension, and narcotics detection, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. Additionally, during his time on the force, Ozzie and Sgt. Weiner worked closely with the Valley Enforcement Regional SWAT Team and was responsible for the apprehension of several criminals, including a murder suspect, and the detection of narcotics. “Ozzie’s loss will be deeply felt by all the members of the Bainbridge Twp. Police Department,” a Facebook post from the law enforcement agency reads.

 

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.