Kennesaw Police Say Farewell To Beloved K-9 Officer

KENNESAW, GA -- K-9 Officer Bady, hurting but determined, got into the vehicle one last time as police dog. The loyal and trusted member of the Kennesaw Police Department loved to ride around with the K-9 handler. This would be his final trip.

On May 17, Bady cruised the Kennesaw streets with his most trusted partner and friend, Officer Bud Morton. Bady wouldn't have long to savor the bittersweet ride, for the next day he would be resting in peace, concluding a life well lived and loved.

Bady, a seven-year veteran of the Kennesaw force, was laid to rest May 18 in Acworth. He had just turned 12 years old. SIGN UP: To get notified of more local news like this, click here to sign up for the Kennesaw Patch. Or find your Atlanta-area town here. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.

"I did not keep a scoreboard of his accomplishments in apprehensions, tracks, and narcotic finds, etc, because his impact on our community as an ambassador for our department is immeasurable. He was an impressive Canine and had a great career ... and I will miss him," Morton wrote, the post said.

Bady was born in May 1, 2005 in Slovakia and brought to the United States from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, according to a Kennesaw Police Department Facebook post.

Bady joined Kennesaw's force in October 2006 and served until April 2013 when he retired from working service. Soon after, his health began to decline.

Kennesaw PD recalled his younger years and how they seemed so long ago, far from the dog that he had become. "Yesterday was his last day with us. It was painful to watch a once strong warrior of a canine be reduced by time to a very weak and frail shell of his former self," Kennesaw PD said.

Morton wrote that he wanted to make sure that Bady kept his dignity until the end, and the only way to do that was to put him to sleep. "His health has deteriorated so badly this week that I have decided the most humane thing I can do for him is to end any further suffering."

Image via Kennesaw PD