Gloucester Township K-9 Cop Brutus Retires

After eight years of service to the Gloucester Township Police Department, K-9 Brutus is ready to spend more time taking long walks in the park, eating an extra milkbone with dinner and keeping the occasional cat on its toes.

Brutus, a 9-year-old German Shepherd who has loyally served his community and department alongside his handler Cpl. James Kaelin since December of 2007, is retiring, the Gloucester Township Police Department said on Thursday.

Brutus was assigned to work with Kaelin on the Patrol Bureau as a nationally certified K-9 conducting narcotics scent work, numerous tracks, building clearings and other patrol duties.

Brutus attended his K-9 training academy from September to December of 2007. Kaelin became a handler at the inception of the K-9 Unit in 1999. Kaelin’s first K-9 partner was Atos.

“I commend K-9 Brutus and Cpl. Kaelin for their dedication and commitment to the Gloucester Township Police Department and to the community of Gloucester Township, Police Chief Harry Earle said. “Together their actions helped protect many officers and helped apprehend some of our most dangerous criminals.”

In retirement, Brutus will be able to spend his days resting as a family pet with the Kaelin family.

The attached images were provided by the Gloucester Township Police Department