A highly-decorated officer that has been serving the residents of Mays Landing and beyond for nearly a decade has announced his retirement.

Officials with the Hamilton Township Police Department say their K-9, Kota, is hanging up his leash.

They say, "K-9 Kota is a 10-year-old German Shepherd Dog from Hungary. He became a single purpose patrol K-9 in 2012 after graduating from the basic K-9 patrol training at the Atlantic County K-9 Academy. He spent his career tracking and locating evidence, numerous suspects who fled from the police, and numerous missing persons. Kota was usually rewarded with ice cream for significant arrests or finds."

Officers were quick to highlight some of Kota's accomplishments:

  • Recognized twice by the United States Police K-9 Association for the Patrol “Catch of the Quarter.”
  • Apprehended an armed suspect who fled from police with a loaded handgun in 2012.
  • Apprehended a burglary suspect who was armed with a machete in 2016.
  • Assisted the Atlantic County SWAT with arrests and search warrant applications.
  • Participated in numerous community and school K-9 demonstrations.
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Kota also received several commendations from his own police department over the years along with letters of appreciation from various law enforcement departments and residents of the township.

Kota has been handled by Sgt. Chris Robell during his career.

The department says, "Please join us in wishing Kota a very happy and heathy retirement. I think this deserves a large doggie bowl of ice cream. Congrats Kota."

Old Dogs Are Beautiful

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