It is with sadness that we let you know we lost these Pack Members in March. We salute them for their service and will never forget their contributions to our country.
K-9 JUDGE
Program Member #117
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share that our 117th program member to the Project K-9 Hero pack, K-9 Judge has passed away from his complications of cancer. Judge served as an Accelerant Detection K-9 to the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Fire Department from 2010-2018.
During his faithful service, Judge conducted over 600 Fire Investigations covering four populated counties, as well as participating in over 1000 demonstrations educating the public and children on fire safety.
Even while he was enjoying his well deserved retirement, Judge still loved doing them for his community as much as he could. Judge specifically worked with autistic school children, to teach them that people in uniform are not scary.
Because of Judge’s capabilities, the City of Allentown had an immediate impact of a 55% reduction in the number of arson crimes, and that trend continued throughout his career. There was also a 50% drop in arson related fires in Lehigh County during Judge’s service to his community.
Judge was named the Arson Dog of the Year in 2016 by the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. Judge will always be remembered.
March 12th, 2009 - March 2nd, 2024
K-9 JAM
Program Member #239
We share the loss of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #239, “K-9 JAM,” who passed away on K- 9 Veterans Day from complications surrounding his long term battle with pancreatitis. This Hero was very special to our Founder, Jason, Johnson.
One of the very last things Jason wanted to accomplish, before leaving his instructor position at ATF, was to name an Explosive Detection K-9 after fallen Special Agent Johnny A. Masengale. So, with permission of Johnny’s widow, Lois Margetin Masengale, and his only son, Larry Masengale, Jason successfully named this Hero, J.A.M., after his namesake, who tragically died in the line of duty on May 6th, 1992.
K-9 JAM served as an Explosive Detection Police K-9 with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, from 2015-2022 out of the Charlotte, NC Field Division. During that time, he participated in over 40 explosive evidence investigations and recoveries, including firearms, pistol/rifle casings, magazines, and pipe bomb fragments. K-9 Jam routinely assisted other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with criminal investigations, where he successfully helped find the evidence to prosecute suspects in shooting incidents.
K-9 JAM worked numerous special events, including two U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, the State of the Union Address, two Super Bowls, two Boston Marathons, an MLB All Star Game, numerous NASCAR events, and a NCAA National Football Championship Bowl Game. K-9 Jam was also deployed and worked on the Austin Bomber Investigation in Austin, Texas in 2020.
JAM, PK9H was honored to protect you in retirement after all you have done to protect your community, the State of North Carolina, and our country. Thank you for living up to your namesake and making us all extremely proud of you!
November 2nd, 2013 - March 13th, 2024
K-9 CLIFF
Program Member #128
We say goodbye to Project K-9 Hero Program Member #128, K-9 Cliff, due to complications from his degenerative myelopathy. Cliff, our very first recipient from the State of West Virginia, honorably served at the Granville Police Department. Cliff, a 13 year old Dutch Shepherd, served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9.
He had successfully participated in hundreds of searches to locate illegal narcotics within the region to include assisting the Federal Drug Task Force. Cliff also assisted with search warrants for wanted criminals and has successfully captured numerous fleeing suspects during his long career. Cliff was very involved in community relations and educating the public about Police K-9s and their capabilities.
In retirement, Cliff had several medical issues that had become the financial responsibility of his handler. We at Project K-9 Hero were honored to have paid those costs at 100% for Cliff and his family since April 2021. Cliff also had a chance to participate in PK9H events over the years where he was the Star of the Show!
Our hearts go out to your Handler and your pack. It was an extreme honor to serve you Cliff. We will NEVER let you be forgotten!
November 1st, 2010 - March 3rd, 2024
K-9 Wrigley
Program Member #104
It is with heavy heart that we share the passing of Project K-9 Hero program member K-9 Wrigley due to health complications.
K-9 Wrigley was retired from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, where he served as a Certified ATF Accelerant Detection Canine for seven years, investigating over 300 fire scenes for evidence of arson, homicides, and other crimes throughout the state of Tennessee and many surrounding states.
K-9 Wrigley had retired with multiple health issues to include irregularities with his liver and arthritis in his joints. We were honored to serve this amazing Hero in retirement by paying all of Wrigley’s medical at 100% for the last several years. Please take a moment to remember K-9 Wrigley, as we never let him be forgotten after all he has done for our community and the State of Tennessee!
May 21st, 2010 - March 28th, 2024
K-9 Europa
Program Member #115
We are sad to report that we report that we lost Project K-9 Hero Program Member #115, K-9 Europa, after her several year battle with cancer, specifically Thymoma.
The loss of this Hero is very significant to our Founder, Jason Johnson, as he had personally selected, trained, and placed K-9 Europa with her Special Agent Handler as the Lead Instructor of her Class #102.
K-9 Europa served with honor and distinction as an Explosive Detection Canine for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives out of the Baltimore, MD field office from 2013-2018.
During her career, Europa was deployed to numerous National Special Security Events (NSSE) throughout the United States. This includes the Super Bowl, Republican National Convention, Presidential Inauguration, and Papal Visit 2015. Europa was also deployed to numerous high profile special events in the United States including the Boston Marathon (3 times), World Police and Fire Games, several PGA tournaments, 2015 UCI Road Championship, several Army/Navy football games, multiple NFL football games in the Baltimore and Washington DC area, two presidential visits to the City of Baltimore, and celebration for the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner at Ft. McHenry.
Please take a moment to remember Europa for her significant contributions to the security of our great nation. We at PK9H will make certain that she is never forgotten!
December 10th, 2010 - March 31st, 2024
Project K-9 Hero provides end-of-duty services to every K-9 Program Member, including cremation or burial, and a custom portrait by our staff artist, Niki Firmin. It costs $1500 on average to provide this service to each K-9 Hero in our program.