Howell Scout Pays Homage To Police Department K9s

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township Boy Scout has created a permanent marker to honor the K9 officers who started the township's K9 unit.

Thomas Chan from Troop 258 unveiled his Eagle Scout project, the Howell Police K-9 Memorial Garden, on Saturday to the police department and other dignitaries.

Chan announced his plan to create the garden last spring. It includes a life-sized dog statue, landscaping, and a monument with the names of the department's four original K9 officers and their handlers.

K9 Blitz was the department's first K9 and served from 2000 to 2009. His handler was now-Police Chief Andrew Kudrick Jr. Also serving from 2000 to 2009 was Jett, with Sgt. John Lopez. Nero joined the department in 2001 and served until 2010 with Cpl. Michael Pavlick, and Jago, who served from 2009 to 2017 with Officer Nicholas Bondarew.

Blitz, Jett and Nero all served a full career and passed away due to old age. Jago is retired.

The department currently has four K9 officers: Vito, Opus, Phantom, and Tank. The Howell Police K-9 Unit Facebook page highlights their work.

In attendance Saturday were the members of the police department, Howell Township manager Brian Geoghegan, and members of the township council.

Chan received help in creating the memorial from Pavlick; John Stitt, owner of T&J Masonry; David Servetah from NJ Monument; Howell's public works department, the Howell Police Benevolent Association and Troop 258. His project gave a makeover to the outside of police headquarters, with a paver walkway, landscaping, a K9 statue and the monument.

"We would like to thank Thomas for his hard work and dedication on this project," the police department said. "This memorial will forever be a part of our department."