It is with sadness that we let you know we lost these Pack Members in January of 2025. We salute them for their service and will never forget their contributions to our country.
MWD Ludjo (Z251)
Program Member #311
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we announce the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #311, retired Military Working Dog (MWD), United States Marine Corps, Combat Tracking Dog (CTD) "Ludjo" (Z251). He was laid to rest peacefully and with dignity in the loving arms of his Handler after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
MWD Ludjo served with honorable distinction for five years in the United States Marine Corps as a certified Combat Tracker Dog stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the USMC’s 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion. In addition to his patrol duties, MWD Ludjo participated in multiple real world scenarios to assist Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) for Fighter Jet Pilots while forward-deployed in Asia. During his career, MWD Ludjo also assisted in locating a missing child from Twentynine Palms at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, the world's largest Marine Corps training base. Since his retirement on September 16, 2021, Ludjo enjoyed a comfortable life with his Handler in Texas.
We at PK9H will ensure that Ludjo’s legacy is never forgotten, as it is the least we can do for him after everything he has done to protect our Nation overseas and domestically as a member of the United States Marine Corps.
May 1st, 2015 - January 3rd, 2025
K-9 Scout
Program Member #192
It is with extremely heavy heart that we share the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #192, K-9 Scout, from the Bonner Springs Police Department, in Kansas.
Scout faithfully served with valor and distinction for nine years as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9. During his career, Scout was responsible for numerous apprehensions of felony suspects and helped seize a large amount of illegal narcotics during his service.
Scout received Patrol Case of the Quarter from the National Police Canine Association for his apprehension of a felony suspect that had committed an aggravated assault against two police officers during a pursuit.
We were honored to serve Scout in retirement and provide him with additional time with his family that loved him so much. Please take a moment this evening to remember Scout, as it is absolutely our duty to ensure that his legacy is never forgotten!
October 26th, 2011 - January 20th, 2025
K-9 Joker
Program Member #237
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we pass along that Project K-9 Hero Pack Member K-9 “Joker,” our 237th Program Member, left us from his battle with cancer, in the presence of his family and the loving arms of his Handler.
K-9 Joker served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office TN, for seven years. On September 22nd, 2021, K-9 Joker was tragically shot in the line of duty while tracking and attempting to apprehend an armed auto burglary suspect.
Joker sustained a gunshot wound to his face and head area during the incident, which left him in critical condition. After receiving intensive care for almost three months, K-9 Joker was able to return back to work in December of 2021. However, lingering affects from the critical incident left him with progressive medical issues concerning his back. This required an additional surgery, and led to him being medically retired on May 25th, 2023.
During his career, from 2016-2023, K-9 Joker responded to over 6000 calls for service that resulted in over 650 K-9 deployments, leading to over 100 successful tracks and over 100 suspects apprehended without incident. Thirty of those apprehensions were physical apprehensions by K-9 Joker.
Joker also had countless narcotics seizures, accumulating over a half million dollars in street value. Joker has been deployed to help locate missing children and adults. He also performed SWAT operations with his agency, and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Joker assisted many agencies with critical incidents and tracking for suspects, such as the Cleveland TN Police Department, Regional Drug Task Force, U.S. Marshals, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Chattanooga Police Department, and multiple surrounding counties and municipalities.
On July 1st, 2022, the State of Tennessee passed “Joker’s Law” which states that anyone in Tennessee who knowingly assaults a police K-9, or any police animal, could face up to 30 years in prison, a much needed change to our legislation that Joker was instrumental in establishing for generations to follow.
It was an absolute honor for us at Project K-9 Hero to have served this amazing and heroic Police K-9! Please take a moment to watch this video about K-9 Joker. He will never be forgotten.
December 1st, 2014 - January 27th, 2025
K-9 IDD Rex
Program Member #110
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the loss of K-9 Rex from long time health issues he had been battling. Rex was 14 years old and surrounded by his family and Handler.
Rex started his career in the U.S. Marine Corps, as an Improvised Explosive Detection Dog (IDD R847). During that time, he served two tours in Afghanistan, locating roadside bombs and saving American Lives!
After his service to our Military, Rex transitioned to the Department of Homeland Security and became a Passenger Screening Canine for the TSA at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). There Rex screened hundreds of thousands of passengers for explosive devices, keeping the traveling public safe from terrorism at home.
We were honored to serve this well-deserved Hero through our nonprofit organization for over four years. Our thoughts and hearts go out to your family and Handler. Thank you for all that you have done in protecting our great nation. You will be missed.
April 1st, 2010 - January 31st, 2025