Morris County K-9 Officer, Dog Honored For Catching Armed Robber

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - K-9 Section Detective Corporal Michael McMahon and his K-9 partner Kaiser apprehended an armed robbery suspect and achieved high marks in a national canine competition and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon took notice.

“We’re very, very blessed to have you in a leadership role,” Gannon said.

McMahon was belatedly honored because he was not able to attend the Sheriff’s Office’s annual Medal Day on Nov. 15, where Officers and non-sworn staff were recognized for outstanding achievements in the past year.

So on Dec. 3, in the presence of command staff and fellow Officers in the K-9 Section, Gannon gave McMahon plaques and medals for Exceptional Duty and Honorable Service and commended him for his notable deeds.

“My hat’s off to the entire K-9 Section. It’s one of our best programs in the Agency. I always think that besides the selection of the people in the section and besides the leadership, the manner in which you blend with the local police departments is very commendable,” Gannon said.

Armed Robber Caught

McMahon received an Agency Honorable Service Medal for his actions on November 7, 2018. That night, he and K-9 Kaiser responded to a reported armed robbery in Boonton Township in which a handgun was shown.

While searching the area for suspects with his dog, McMahon learned that one suspect had just knocked on a resident’s door and requested to use their phone. Two suspects were taken into custody and provided information about a third suspect, who allegedly carried a handgun.

McMahon used K-9 Kaiser in an off-leash search before expanding the search area so that it extended to a wood line and the Rockaway River.The dog, a 3-year-old male Belgian Malinois, located and apprehended the third suspect who was hiding in heavy brush.

McMahon and other officers then took the suspect into custody and searched for the weapon, ultimately using Kaiser to perform an off-leash evidence search of the area. The loaded 9mm handgun was found, wrapped in a sweatshirt and hidden behind a vehicle by the wood line.

Competition Success

He also accepted a second medal and plaque for Exceptional Duty related to his participation on March 15, in the United States Police Canine Association Narcotics Detection Trial/Certification in Region 7. The trial featured 18 K-9 teams from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Upon completion, he and K-9 Kaiser were awarded third place for fastest time, first place for motor vehicle work, and second place overall – a ranking that brought honor to himself and the Sheriff’s Office.

Reality TV Star

McMahon’s prowess as a master K-9 trainer and handler can be seen when he makes his television debut as a contestant on the A&E Network’s ultimate K-9 competition series called “America’s Top Dog.”

He is a contestant in a high-energy competition that brought together superb K-9 Officers and dogs on what is billed as the ultimate K-9 obstacle course. The “America’s Top Dog” series, from MGM’s Big Fish Entertainment, will premiere Wednesday, January 8 at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers will not find out until the final, 11th episode which team captured Top Dog honors.

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