K9 Sando – Orange County, California

Died 4/7/29
Handler – Deputy Bill Burk

OCSD Remembers Retired Police Service Dog, Sando

The Orange County Sheriff Department’s K9 Unit is saddened to announce the passing of retired Police Service Dog, “Sando”. Sando was an 11-year-old Belgian Dutch Shepherd. He passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2020 after a long and successful career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. PSD Sando was born on March 15, 2009 and was raised in Europe to become a police dog. In January 2013, Sando became the newest member of OCSD’s K9 team. Sando’s partner, Deputy Bill Burk, successfully completed canine handler school and the pair was certified as a team on March 1, 2013. Throughout Sando’s career, he helped Deputy Burk by encouraging 154 felony suspects to surrender to his intimidating bark. Sando also apprehended nine suspects who refused to surrender. Along with his ability to locate dangerous suspects, he also assisted in narcotic sniffs and located more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of heroin, 16 pounds of cocaine, 7 pounds of marijuana and a seizure of $95,000 associated with the sales of narcotics. Sando was a beloved member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the citizens of Orange County. He performed K9 demonstrations on a regular basis and amazed thousands of children and adults with his obedience and fearless apprehensions. Sando retired in February 2018, when Deputy Burk promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sando learned to love the life of being a family pet, but deep down he would always be a police dog. Sando will be deeply missed by his partner, Sergeant Burk, his family, the citizens of Orange County and the men and woman of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department who had the honor of working with him.

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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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