Beloved Retired Norwalk Police Service Dog Dies: PD

NORWALK, CT — A beloved retired police service dog who served the city of Norwalk for over eight years has passed away, according to the Norwalk Police Department.

In a Facebook post Friday, police announced "with sadness" that Kai, a German Shepard who served the city from February 2012 to August 2020, recently died at the age of 14.

According to police, Kai was handled by Officer Richard Montanez and served as a dual-purpose patrol dog for the patrol division.

Kai was certified with the National Police Canine Association, the North American Police Work Dog Association, the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association and the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association in narcotics, tracking and criminal apprehension work, according to the department.

In 2015, he received the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Award for tracking and apprehending violent armed robbery suspects, police said.

"PSD Kai had numerous narcotics finds, criminal apprehensions and located multiple missing persons along with those in need of medical help during his service to the city of Norwalk," police said on Facebook. "PSD Kai remained with the Montanez family during his retirement. PSD Kai will be missed."

The department's Facebook tribute to Kai can be read in full here.