Please Welcome K-9 Ajax!

To kick off the induction of 52 New Heroes in 2024, we at Project K-9 Hero, would like to welcome K-9 “Ajax” from the San Mateo Police Department in California, to the Pack as our 266th overall member.

Ajax is an 11-year old male Belgian Malinois, trained as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9. After seven years of service, Ajax had an amazing career locating people/narcotics in San Mateo County and surrounding jurisdictions. Ajax was featured in the San Mateo Daily Journal for one of his large finds by assisting the Narcotics Task Force/SMPD Crime Reduction Team. Ajax routinely found illegal narcotics with his phenomenal nose that stopped the dangerous substances from being trafficked into San Mateo Community.

Ajax and his handler were also featured in a COPS office article out of Washington D.C., as they were the “2020 community policing in action photo winner…four-legged Law enforcement pro brings kids, cops, and the community closer in San Mateo,” May 2020, volume 13, issue 5. Ajax also received a letter from United Stated Congress for his narcotics detection prevention efforts.

Just prior to Christmas, Ajax was rushed to the ER where he was given a diagnosis of stomach cancer that had ruptured in his intestines. This left septic fluid on his abdomen and required an immediate life saving surgery that would cost up to twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00). Ajax pulled through the surgery well, but now will require Chemotherapy Treatments which will additionally place an extreme financial burden on his handler. Ajax has also been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, and a Degenerative Disk in his back, which is an additional $400-$500 monthly in prescription medication.

After all was said and done with Ajax’s life saving surgery, his handler was still left with $9,471.75 in personal debt after discounts and additional assistance from other nonprofit organizations. We are happy to report that PK9H will be paying off that debt at 100%, along with all additional treatments, surgeries, and medications for the rest of Ajax’s life!

We are honored to now be taking care of this Hero financially so he can spend his well deserved retirement with his handler and family. Thank you Ajax for your dedicated service and protection to the State of California, the communities you have served in, and the United States of America.

Welcome to the PK9HERO Pack!