Veteran New Jersey K-9 Saluted by Officers as He Takes Last Steps

Dozens of police officers, K-9 officers with their dogs and medical staff lined up outside the Swedesboro Animal Hospital St. Francis Veterinary Clinic to say goodbye to Judge last Friday.

Dozens of police officers, K-9 officers with their dogs and medical staff lined up outside the Swedesboro Animal Hospital St. Francis Veterinary Clinic to say goodbye to Judge last Friday. (Photo: Twitter)Dozens of police officers, K-9 officers with their dogs and medical staff lined up outside the Swedesboro Animal Hospital St. Francis Veterinary Clinic to say goodbye to Judge last Friday. (Photo: Twitter)

The West Deptford (N.J.) Police Department gave a ceremonial hero's farewell to its retired K-9 dog Judge, who was put down down due to unbearable medical complications.

Dozens of police officers, K-9 officers with their dogs and medical staff lined up outside the Swedesboro Animal Hospital St. Francis Veterinary Clinic to say goodbye to Judge last Friday.

"Judge and I had such overwhelming and positive support that day," West Deptford Police Cpl. Michael Franks told ABC News Monday. "Though Judge was extremely lethargic and could barely walk the days before the ceremony, he was able to bite onto his favorite protective decoy arm sleeve used in training and carry it into the hospital."

Franks and Judge's vet made the decision to lay Judge to rest because he was suffering so much due to complications stemming from Cushings Disease, which he developed last year, Franks said.

Thanks to Judge's "fearless service," 152 suspects were arrested for criminal offenses, three motor vehicles and countless drugs were seized, three handguns were taken off of the streets and over $47,000 was recovered from people involved in illegal activity," the West Deptford Police Department wrote on Facebook.

"It is with great sadness that the West Deptford Police Department says goodbye to K-9 Judge today," the department wrote. "He was a true asset to our department and will be forever missed. RIP Judge, gone but never forgotten."

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