Kai, Retired Long Island Police K-9, Dies At 12: 'Heavy Heart'

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Kai, a retired K-9, died on Jan. 4 at the age of 12, the Nassau County Police Department announced "with a heavy heart."

"K-9 Kai" was born on March 25, 2011, and joined the department in March 2012. He retired in early 2020.

"K-9 Kai, alongside handler retired police officer Chris Peters, dedicated his life to the Nassau County Police Department and its citizens," the department wrote. "The hard work, endless training, and dedication of K-9 Kai and Officer Peters lead to numerous apprehensions and arrests of dangerous subjects during his career. In addition to apprehending criminals, K-9 Kai protected the citizens of Nassau County by conducting well over 100 bomb sweeps and aiding in locating missing persons."

When Kai wasn’t busy with his police responsibilities, he and Peters would visit and conduct demonstrations for various groups and people; including school children, Boy and Girl Scouts, police explorers, and community leaders.

"K-9 Kai, to those who didn’t know him, looked as if he was all business at all times," the department wrote. "But those who worked closely with K-9 Kai knew he was a mush at heart……except if you tried to take his 'Chuck It ball.' Those of us in the unit can still hear the whistle of that ball through the air as K-9 Kai gave chase."

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Commissioner of Police Patrick Ryder and the entire Nassau County Police Department offered its "deepest sympathy" to Peters and his family.

"[We] are extremely grateful for the dedicated service K-9 Kai provided to the Department and the public. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten."