In Memory of K9 Ajax

Editor's Note: The following tribute to Police K9 Ajax was provided by the .

The Emmaus Police Department sadly regrets to announce the passing of former Police K9 “Ajax.” K9 Ajax peacefully entered eternal rest on June 18, 2012. K9 Ajax was a male German Shepherd imported from the Czech Republic. All of Ajax’s training was conducted by Doug Wendling of Progressive K9 Academy, Walnutport, Pa. Ajax was cross-trained for patrol duties and narcotics. Ajax dutifully served the Emmaus Police Department for seven years, six months, having retired from active duty with honor in 2009. Since 1990, the Emmaus Lions Club has purchased every police dog for the Borough including Ajax.     

K9 Ajax was handled by K9 . The K9 Team had a productive and distinguished career. During his time of service, K9 Ajax was largely responsible for 49 felony and 72 misdemeanor arrests. K9 Ajax played a primary role in the seizure of 51.6 pounds of illegal narcotics having a combined street value of $175,000.00. K9 Ajax recovered 34 weapons used in the commission of crimes, 19 of those were stolen firearms.

K9 Ajax participated in more than 70 educational demonstrations for schools, neighborhood watch groups, Girls and Boy Scouts, churches and elderly and civic organizations. During the spring of 2005, and Ajaxappeared on the front cover of the first edition of Police K9 Magazine. Ajax was also responsible for many service related accomplishments including safely locating 21 individuals, which included a variety of health-related and other physical conditions. Most notably, in 2005, Ajax tracked and located a 5-year-old autistic boy who had wandered away from his home during severe storms.

During his service, K9 Ajax accumulated numerous awards, recognition, letters of commendation and unit citations. Those include and are not limited to: PA. State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), DEA, ATF, State Attorney General’s Office, Allentown PD, Macungie PD, Salisbury PD, Alburtis PD, South Whitehall PD, Quakertown PD, Catasauqua PD, North Catasauqua PD, Walnutport PD, Fountain Hill PD, Richland Township PD, Springfield Township PD, Lehigh Valley International Airport and the PA. House of Representatives.

commented on the death and career of K9 Ajax: “Any time we lose a police dog, we lose a member of our family. These dogs are highly trained and skilled and provide a significant advantage for law enforcement agencies in our day-to-day operations. Canines provide an extra level of safety for the officers as they possess instincts and capabilities not otherwise available through human nature. Ajax had an incredibly successful and distinguished career with the Emmaus Police Department. He will be sorely missed.”