Back in 2013, police officers in Massachusetts bid a teary farewell to Kaiser, a beloved German Shepard who served as a crime-fighting canine in Plymouth. Last week, New Jersey authorities did the same for another fallen K-9 hero named Judge, who was put to sleep after months of battling Cushings Disease.
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The Czech Shepherd had been a part of the local West Deptford police force since 2007, retiring last summer due to dental problems. During his seven years of service, Judge racked up quite the impressive record:
Judge had been deployed 280 times, apprehending a total of 152 suspects. He also helped recover three stolen vehicles, three firearms and approximately $47,000 in alleged drug money.
Not long after going into retirement, was Judge diagnosed with Cushings — a disease that caused frequent vomiting, bleeding, and hair loss. More than 100 people raised over $11,000 to cover his mounting veterinary bills, yet Judge’s health continued to deteriorate. That’s when his owner and partner Cpl. Michael Franks decided to put him down.
N.J. police pay last respects as retired K-9 put down. http://t.co/jazoihbNlz. pic.twitter.com/kSeJ8tjcuu
— Jaime Marine (@jmar1244) February 20, 2015
Last Friday, Judge took his final walk as he entered St. Francis Veterinary Center in Woolwich on Friday. There, many West Deptford officers gathered to salute him one last time:
“It’s about showing respect, but also the people who are here wanted to thank Judge for his service to the community,” said Glassboro Sgt. Dan Eliasen, who supervises his department’s K-9 division. “No one has forgotten what he’s done — and that includes protecting his partner and his community.”
Rest in peace, Judge.