The guidelines for the Oregon Police Canine Association Distinguished Service Award are:

1. The action for which the award is received will be the direct result of an "In the Line of Duty" action by a sworn officer operating in the State of Oregon.

 

2. The award may be given for:

 

Outstanding contributions to furthering the field of police canines in the State of Oregon and/or;

 

Outstanding canine deployment involving:

 

a. Heroic actions by dog and handler such as saving lives, or

 

b. Action by a detection dog and handler that far exceed the normal routine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This medal was created to honor, recognize and memorialize US Army Corporal Kory Duane Wiens of Albany Oregon for his supreme sacrifice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Wiens was a canine handler assigned to the 94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade deployed to Iraq. On July 6th 2007 while searching out firearms, ammunition and explosives near Muhammad Sath Iraq, Cpl. Wiens and his canine partner Cooper were killed by an improvised explosive device. Cpl. Wiens was 20 years old. Cpl. Wiens had wanted to become a police dog handler upon his return from the war. The OPCA has awarded him membership status and endeavors to memorialize him with this medal.

 

The guidelines for awarding the Oregon Police Canine Association’s Corporal Kory Wiens Heroism 

Medal are:

 

1.  The Medal may be awarded to any Charter, Regular, Associate or Honorary member for action(s) in the line of duty which demonstrate, in great degree, the qualities of selflessness, exceptional courage, devotion to duty and personal sacrifice in the service to others.

 

2.  The medal may be given posthumously, if necessary, to the nearest immediate family member.

 

3.  When presented in a public forum, all those present will be asked to stand at attention and observe a moment of silence in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made by Corporal Kory Wiens and his K9 partner Sgt. Cooper in the performance of their duty in service to others.

 

4.  Prior to awarding the medal, the history of the medal and of Cpl. Wiens will be read to those present.

 

5.  A list of those receiving this medal and the circumstances meriting the award will be kept by the OPCA Secretary.

 

6.  A second moment of silence will also be called for in recognition of other dog handlers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.

 

7.  A unanimous vote of a quorum of the executive board is required for awarding this medal.

 

 

 

  

 

 

US Army Sgt. Cooper was a four year old yellow Labrador retriever trained to detect firearms, ammunition and explosives. Sgt. Cooper and his handler, Cpl. Kory Wiens of Albany Oregon, were both killed on July 6th 2007 in Muhammad Sath Iraq by an improvised explosive device. The OPCA wishes to memorialize this team and specifically this dog by creating the Police K9 Star.

 

The guidelines for awarding the Oregon Police Canine Association’s Police K9 Star are:

 

1.  The medal may be awarded to any Charter, Regular, Associate or Honorary member’s canine partner for death or serious physical injury sustained during the performance of duty.

 

2.  The medal may be given posthumously, if necessary, to the Canine’s Handler or the handlers nearest immediate family member.

 

3.  A unanimous vote of a quorum of the executive board is required for awarding this medal.

 

 

 

 

The guidelines for the Oregon Police Canine Association Letter of Commendation are:

1. Action by Charter, Regular, Associate or Honorary member(s) not necessarily in the line of duty.

 

2. The Letter of Commendation may be given for:

 

Special contributions to the field of police canine in the State of Oregon and/or;